Hardlines

The US Toxics in Packaging Clearinghouse (TPCH) has opened a consultation on its proposal to regulate perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and phthalates in packaging and packaging materials. Issued on July 9, 2020, the draft update proposes the addition of several provisions to its ‘Model Toxics in Packaging Legislation’, including: Prohibiting intentionally added PFAS Restricting […]

Trinidad and Tobago has begun a consultation over the revised draft to their toy safety that, if/when accepted, will strengthen its requirements. The Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards (TTBS) announced the consultation in June 2020 and it will accept comments until August 31, 2020. The revised draft standard, currently designated as PCTTCS 3:20XX “Safety

Denmark’s Ministry of the Environment and Food has published an order restricting phthalates to no more than 0.05% in toys and childcare articles, as used by children aged 0-3 years. Order No. 947 of 20/06/2020 covers toys and childcare articles that fall under the following definitions: Toys – designed and intended exclusively or in part

European Union (EU) introduces a new standard for young children’s drinking equipment that combines and supersedes two previous standards. The European Committee for Standardization (Comité Européen de Normalisation, CEN) published EN 14350:2020 ‘Childcare articles – Drinking Equipment – Safety requirements and test methods’ in June 2020. In addition to combining two previous standards, the new

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

The American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) has released a draft guidance document relating to textile face coverings.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”

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