Hardlines

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

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has been required to mandate a Federal furniture flammability standard by adopting the Californian standard – Technical Bulletin 117-2013. The American Home Furnishings Alliance (AHFA) has been pushing for the adoption of this revised flammability standard for over five years. The adoption covers both performance standards and test

On December 9, 2020, the United Kingdom (UK) Department of Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) published a list of designated toy safety standards that demonstrate presumption of conformity with Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011. The list includes: Mechanical and physical – EN 71-1:2014+A1:2018 Flammability – EN 71-2:2011+A1:2014 Migration of certain elements – EN 71-3:2019 Experimental

On December 15, 2020, the European Union (EU) published two directives to revise the two lists regulating the presence of allergenic fragrances in toys. The provisions in the directives will strengthen EU requirements on allergenic fragrances under Directive 2009/48/EC, the Toy Safety Directive (TSD). The two directives – (EU) 2020/2088 and (EU) 2020/2089 – update