Hardlines

On June 9, 2021, Ukraine announced a change in the law to prohibit the distribution of some types of plastic bag for retail and catering use. Law No. 1489-IX of June 1, 2021, bans the use of three types of plastic bag: ‘Lightweight plastic bags’ – wall thickness of 15 to 50 micrometers (microns) ‘Very […]

South Korea is holding a consultation over proposed changes to its food contact material standards. Comments will be accepted until July 27, 2021. Proposed changes include: Polyketones added as a new material under synthetic resins: Lead: no more than 1.0 mg/L Potassium permanganate consumption: no more than 10.0 mg/L Overall migration: no more than 30

China will enforce its ban on the flame retardant hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) from December 26, 2021. HBCDD has a variety of uses: Expanded polystyrene (EPS) and extruded polystyrene (XPS) for insulation and construction Back-coatings for upholstery and other interior textiles Automotive applications. [if !supportLists] The ban prohibited the manufacture, use, import and export of HBCDD. China

SGS publishes overview of the changes proposed in the new federal safety rule for infant sleep products – 16 CFR 1236. Approved by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), 16 CFR 1236 affects products intended for use by infants aged under five months. The proposed standard states that the sleep surface angle should be

Manufacturers and suppliers of food contact packaging, utensils, lids and metallic equipment are advised of Brazil’s amendments to its Technical Regulation. Brazil’s Ministry of Health and National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) published Resolution of the Collegiate Board of Directors (RDC) No. 498 of May 20, 2021, on May 26, 2021. This amends RDC No. 20/2007

The European Union (EU) has made three changes to its list of standards demonstrating presumption of conformity with Directive 2009/48/EC, the so-called Toy Safety Directive (TSD). The changes were published on May 31, 2021, in Implementation Decision (EU) 2021/867. The three changes are: Inclusion of EN 71-7:2014+A3:2020 for finger paints. There is a six-month transitional

Moldova has updated its list of standards that demonstrate compliance with its Technical Regulation on toy safety. Published in April 2021, Order No. 39 of March 31, 2021, contains both Moldovan and European (EN) standards. The updated list contains the following standards – Moldovan (European): ‘Physical and mechanical’ – SM EN 71-1+A1:2018 (EN 71-1:2014+A1:2018) ‘Flammability’

SGS has published a comprehensive overview of Brazil’s proposed changes to its rules and regulations covering metal cookware. Brazil’s Ministry of Economy/National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology (INMETRO) released details of its proposed changes in April 2021. If accepted these will impact: INMETRO Ordinance 398/2012 ‘Technical Regulation’ INMETRO Ordinance 419/2012 ‘Conformity Assessment Requirements’ [if

SGS, the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company, is pleased to announce the opening of its new filtration performance laboratory in Suzhou, China. On May 20, 2021, SGS staff were joined by VIPs for the laboratory’s official opening. Attendees included Ms. Liu Hua, Suzhou Industrial Park Administrative Committee, Mr. Tian Xueling, Vice President