Hardlines

Hong Kong has amended its list of standards that demonstrate conformity with the Toys and Children’s Products Safety Ordinance. ‘Toys and Children’s Products Safety Ordinance (Amendment of Schedules 1 and 2) Notice 2021’, announced in a press release of February 19, 2021, covers two standards for toys and three standards for children’s products. The new […]

The US state of Maine’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has published a draft list of food contact chemicals of high concern. The state approved LD 1433 to reduce toxic chemicals in food packaging in June 2019. It contained various provisions, including: Prohibition on phthalates in food packaging (including plastic service gloves) Authorization to the

The US Toxics in Packaging Clearinghouse (TPCH) has updated its Model Toxics Packaging Legislation (Model Legislation) to include provisions relating to (ortho) phthalates and perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Under the provisions in the update, issued on February 16, 2021, PFAS are now prohibited and phthalates are restricted to no more than 100 parts per

ASTM International has published a new standard that establishes the minimum design, performance, labeling, user instructions, reporting and classification, and conformity assessment criteria for single-use and reusable face coverings – ASTM F3502. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, barrier face coverings have been an important part of the strategy for reducing the spread of

SGS, the world’s leading inspection, testing and certification company, has introduced a dedicated service to help furniture manufacturers demonstrate the quality and durability of their products through the Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers’ Association (BIFMA’s) new Conformance Program. Launched on March 1, 2021, the ‘BIFMA Compliant’ program enables manufacturers to list those products that conform

BIFMA has released an updated version of its occasional use seating standard – ANSI/BIFMA X6.4 – to account for the increasing size of seating users. Occasional- seating is used in a variety if indoor spaces, including: Medical centers – waiting rooms, reception areas and for visitors in patient rooms Hospitality – restaurants, dining, cafeterias Office

SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, has published an article that considers the concept of ‘safe’, in relation to juvenile product design, and details a more efficient way for manufacturers to develop new, compliant products. Parents want to know that the products they buy for their children are going to be safe.

SGS, the world’s leading testing inspection, and certification company, looks at the barriers surrounding recycling food contact plastics as Europe moves towards a circular economy. Consumers and regulators want to see greater sustainability in consumer products, especially in relation to plastics. The EU creates around 25.8 million tons of plastic waste annually but of the

The European Committee for Standardization (Comité Européen de Normalisation, CEN) has published a new standard covering experimental toy sets for chemistry and related activities. Published in December 2020, EN 71-4:2020 ‘Experimental sets for chemistry and related activities’ includes several updates. It defines the requirements for the maximum quantity or concentration of certain substances and mixtures