Hardlines

SGS, the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company, has launched the Buying Assistance Program, a new service to help consumer goods manufacturers successfully source suppliers for their global supply chains. SGS’s Buying Assistance Program, devised for the toys and hardgoods sector, fills a gap that has become readily apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic. […]

The US Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a Final Rule that establishes a new safety standard for expansion gates and enclosures for young children. Published on July 6, 2020, the standard defines: Expansion gates – “barrier intended to be erected in an opening, such as a doorway, to prevent the passage of young

The Colombian Ministry of Health and Social Protection has extended the period of validity of its emergency technical regulation relating to the migration of lead and cadmium from food contact glass, ceramics, and similar products. This emergency technical regulation was originally issued in July 2019 and was to remain valid for twelve months – until

The US state of Maine’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has added perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and its salts to a list of priority chemicals (PCs) that require reporting in specific children’s products. In addition to PFOS, the salts covered in the new Chapter 890 are: Potassium perfluorooctane sulfonate Lithium perfluorooctane sulfonate Ammonium perfluorooctane sulfonate

Brazil has revised two pieces of legislation to change the country’s requirements for toys and school supplies. The Brazilian National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology (INMETRO) has published Ordinance No. 217 of June 18, 2020 (the ‘Ordinance’). It came into effect on June 24, 2020 – the date of publishing – and revises: Ordinance

Ecuador has announced a revised proposal that, if accepted, will update its technical regulation for food contact ceramics. The latest proposal, designated Ecuadorian Technical Regulation RTE UNEN 010 (2R) – ‘Ceramic Tableware Intended to Come into Contact with Food’, was circulated attached to World Trade Organization (WTO) document no. 20-4675 on July 8, 2020. It

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