China’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security released the Minimum Wage Standards for All Regions on April 26, 2020. The figures go up to March 31, 2020 and show that, broadly, minimum wage levels have remained stable. Until March 31, 2020, only three regions have increased their minimum wage standards: Fujian province Qinghai province […]
China’s Minimum Wage Levels Remain Stable in Response to Epidemic Read More »
The European Union (EU) has recently published several amendments to Regulation (EU) 2019/1021, the Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Recast Regulation. These amendments include: Regulation (EU) 2020/1203 – revises the exemption requirements for perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS). Changes include the deletion of the third paragraph in point 4 and the replacing of the first paragraph with: [if
EU Revises POPs Recast Regulation Read More »
The European Chemical Agency (ECHA) has launched a public consultation on the proposal to include two new substances on the Candidate List. The two substances are: Bis(2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethyl)ether (Tetraglyme) – ninth glycol ether identified as the Substance of Very High Concern (SVHC) if the proposal is accepted Dioctyltin dilaurate, stannane, dioctyl-, bis(coco acyloxy) derivs., and any
European Chemical Agency Launches Consultation on Two Potential SVHCs Read More »
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has published final significant new use rules (SNURs) relating to long-chain perfluoroalkyl carboxylate (LCPFAC) and perfluoroalkyl sulfonate chemicals. It also makes inapplicable the exemption for persons who import a subset of LCPFAC chemicals as part of a surface coating on articles. The Final Rule contains a number of important
US EPA Amends SNURs for LCPFAC and Perfluoroalkyl Sulfonate Chemicals Read More »
The European Commission (EC) has published a draft proposal to limit pentachlorophenol (PCP), its salts and esters, to no more than 5 mg/kg. The proposal is being made under an amendment to Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 on persistent organic pollutants (recast), referred to as ‘the POP Recast Regulation’. If accepted the proposal will set the limit
EU Proposes Limit for PCP in Consumer Products Read More »
On June 22, 2020, the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPR) to define the requirements for making ‘Made in USA’ claims on packaging and marketing materials. In the proposal, ‘Made in USA’ is defined as: “Any unqualified representation, express or implied, that a product or service, or a specified
‘Made in USA’ Requirements Proposed by Federal Trade Commission Read More »
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an umbrella emergency use authorization (EUA) that sanctions the use of certain surgical masks in healthcare settings. The EUA was issued in response to concerns over the lack of disposable single-use surgical masks for healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic. The EUA contains labeling and performance
FDA Authorizes the Use of Certain Surgical Masks in Healthcare Settings Read More »
SGS, the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company, will hold a free webinar on September 29, 2020, to discuss how to enter one of the largest retail and e-commerce markets in the world. As the market shifts from key opinion leader (KOL) to key opinion consumer (KOC) influence in China, consumer engagement is
From November 9, 2020, all goods produced in Hong Kong must be labelled ‘Made in China’ when being marketed to consumers in the United States. US Customs and Border Protections, part of the Department of Homeland Security, published the Federal Register notice – Country of Origin Marking of Products of Hong Kong – on August
US Introduces Requirement for Hong Kong Goods to Be Labeled ‘Made in China’ Read More »
China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) and its Standardization Administration have published nine mandatory volatile organic compound (VOC) standards for a variety of products. The standards include methodologies and limits for VOCs and other harmful substances in: Interior floor coatings – GB 38468-2019 Marine coatings – GB 38469-2019 Woodcare coatings – GB 18581-2020 Architectural
China Releases Mandatory VOC Standards for Coatings, Adhesives, Inks and Cleaning Agents Read More »
