Hardlines

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 […]

Following a ban by several European Union (EU) Member States on food contact bamboo-melamine plastics, the European Commission has published the “EU enforcement action on food contact materials (FCM) made of bamboo ‘powder’.” Importers of FCM made with bamboo powder have been required to submit an authorization dossier according to Regulation (EC) 1935/2004, the Food

US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) amends the Federal Standard for the Flammability of Mattresses and Mattress Pads, 16 CFR part 1632, to mandate the use of the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) revised Standard Reference Material cigarette, SRM 1196a, as the ignition source for testing. The change became necessary because the original

Switzerland has published Official Collection 2021 425, amending Ordinance of the Federal Department of Home Affairs (FDHA) on the Safety of Toys (Toys Ordinance). This update to the Toys Ordinance includes several changes, including: Revisions to the two lists of allergenic fragrances Strengthened aluminum migration limits for all three categories of toy materials: Category I

European Union (EU) has expanded the scope of its restrictions on eight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in granules or mulches used in synthetic turf pitch infill materials. The eight PAHs are: Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) Benzo[e]pyrene (BeP) Benzo[a]anthracene (BaA) Chrysene (CHR) Benzo[b]fluoranthene (BbFA) Benzo[j]fluoranthene (BjFA) Benzo[k]fluoranthene (BkFA) Dibenzo[a,h]fluoranthene (DBAhA) [if !supportLists] Published on July 21, 2021, Regulation

SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, has published an article looking at why high-quality plumbing products are important for consumers, manufacturers and the environment. One trillion gallons of water is lost in household leaks every year in the US. Old and poor plumbing products are inefficient, something that has become very clear

SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, has published an article that looks at the need for efficient air filtration in urban environments and details their solutions for manufacturers. Urban pollution and COVID-19 have focused attention on the need for efficient air filtration. SGS’s Consumer Compact article looks at the trends surrounding greater

Thailand’s Ministry of Industry has mandated the use of TIS 969-2562 (2019) as the new standard for the rubber nipples used on feeding bottles. According to the standard, rubber nipples for feeding bottles must conform to provisions relating to: Migration of eight elements: Antimony (Sb): no more than 15 mg/kg Arsenic (As): no more than

Canada implements formaldehyde emission regulation for composite wood panels, laminated products, and finished goods containing these products. The ‘Formaldehyde Emissions from Composite Wood Products Regulations’ were published on July 7, 2021. The provisions in this law mirror many of the elements of the US Toxic Substances Control Act Title VI ‘Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood

The US state of Minnesota has banned intentionally added perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from food packaging. Minnesota becomes the latest US jurisdiction to regulate PFAS in food contact materials and articles, joining Connecticut, Maine, New York, San Francisco, Vermont and Washington. SF 20 was signed into law by the governor in June 2021, amending