Hardlines

On June 11, 2020, Australia registered instruments that update the mandatory safety standards for two specific toy groups – projectile toys and aquatic toys. They are: Consumer Goods (Projectile Toys) Safety Standard 2020 dated June 3, 2020 Consumer Goods (Aquatic Toys) Safety Standard 2020 dated June 3, 2020 The standard for projectile toys mandates compliance […]

Serbia has issued a Rule Book on Toy Safety that is based upon European Union (EU) Directive 2009/48/EC, the so-called Toy Safety Directive (TSD). Published in November 2019, the Rule Book sets out the rules for toy safety and their free movement within the market. Toys are defined as being designed or intended, but not

On June 1, 2020, Japan’s latest amendments to its Food Sanitation Act came into effect, establishing a ‘Positive List’ for synthetic resins used in food contact materials and articles. There is now a five-year transition period. The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) published two notifications relating to food implements, containers, and packaging

On May 29, 2020, South Korea put into effect its revised standards and specifications for food contact materials and articles. This included, for the first time, a requirement relating to volatile organic matter (VOM) in rubber nipples for young children. Under the terms of Chapter 3 of South Korea’s Food Sanitation Act, the Ministry of

The American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) has released a draft guidance document relating to textile face coverings. This is believed to be the first document of its kind for North American markets. Released on June 1, 2020, AATCC Monograph “AATCC MXXX 2020 Guidance and Considerations for General Purpose Textile Face Coverings: Adult”

The Brazilian National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) has delayed the implementation of new regulations on additives in food contact plastics and polymeric coatings. Transposed from Mercosur GMC Resolution No. 39/2019 and published by ANVISA in December 2019, Resolution of the Collegiate Board of Directors No. 326 of December 3, 2019 (RDC 326/2019) will establish, among

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a final rule that will exempt certain unfinished fibers in toys and childcare articles from third party testing. Published on June 1, 2020, the final rule creates a completely new 16 CFR Part 1253 ‘Children’s Toys and Child Care Articles: Determinations Regarding the ASTM F963 elements

Ukraine has published a draft law that, if adopted, will introduce a number of different provisions relating to food contact materials and articles. Published by the Ukrainian Ministry of Economic Development, Trade and Agriculture in May 2020, the proposed law includes specific measures relating to 17 groups of food contact materials and articles. These groups