Hardlines

The Californian city of Santa Rosa has become the latest jurisdiction to prohibit per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in food ware and/or food ware accessories for dine-ins, take-outs, or in retail establishments or at city-sponsored events. The signing of Ordinance No. ORD-2021-008 ‘Zero Waste Food Ware Ordinance’ into law means: Polystyrene foam (Styrofoam) can no […]

Peru has proposed a ban on bisphenol A (BPA) in varnishes and coatings that are used in food contact materials and articles for infants and young children. Peru’s Ministry of Health signaled its intention to regulate BPA in a draft regulation circulated by the World Trade Organization (WTO) in July 2021. A public consultation was

Manufacturers of children’s seating are reminded that in July 2021 the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) published a new standard – EN 17191:2021. The standard applies to both domestic and non-domestic seating used by children who can walk and sit by themselves. It aims to improve safety and considers the hazards listed in the Decision

Stakeholders are reminded that the European Union’s standard for cot and crib mattresses has been amended with the publishing of Amendment A1 to EN 16890:2017. Original published in May 2017 by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN), the standard covers mattresses used in children’s cots, travel cots, cribs and suspended baby beds. It applies to

South Korea has increased the number of phthalates restricted in children’s products from six to seven with the addition of diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP). The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) issued Notice Number 2021-131 in July 2021. This strengthens restrictions relating to phthalates under the Common Safety Standard for Children’s Products and subject to

Italy has signalled its intention to adopt a draft piece of legislation that will, if accepted, amend Decree of the Minister of Health of March 21, 1973, in relation to food contact stainless steels. The latest proposal to change the decree – ‘Hygiene rules for packaging, containers and utensils intended to come into contact with

Stakeholders are reminded that the European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & Healthcare (EQDM) has published the first edition of its technical guide, ‘Paper and board used in food contact materials and articles.’ This supersedes the Council of Europe’s Policy statement, Version 4 dated February 12, 2009. Published in May 2021, this publication consists

Deciding whether a product is a toy or just a decorative or collectible product can be hard. The European Union (EU) Commission and Member States Toy Expert Group has recently published Guidance Document No. 20 to help stakeholders decide whether their product comes under the scope of the EU Directive 2009/48/EC, the so-called Toy Safety

Stakeholders are reminded that Brazil’s new ordinance for pacifiers came into force on August 2, 2021. Issued by the Brazilian Ministry of Economy/National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology (INMETRO) on July 16, 2021, Ordinance No. 301 of July 12, 2021, details the consolidated conformity assessment requirements and conformity identification seal for pacifiers. Provisions included

Stakeholders are reminded that Brazil’s new ordinance, detailing the consolidated technical regulations and conformity assessment requirements for toys, came into force on August 2, 2021. Published by the Ministry of Economy/National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology (INMETRO) as Ordinance No. 302 of July 12, 2021, it contains several important provisions, including: Establishing consolidated regulations