Hardlines

The American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) has released a draft guidance document relating to textile face coverings.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

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

BIFMA – the Business Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association – has released a revised version of its standard for public and lounge seating that increases the basis weight and widens its scope. The 2020 iteration of its standard – BIFMA X5.4 – is approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and it supersedes the previous

The Business Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association (BIFMA) has delayed the launch of its voluntary Compliant Program. BIFMA’s Compliant Program focuses on increasing consistency and the visibility of products that conform to BIFMA standards. It is open to both BIFMA members and non-members, with BIFMA members receiving a discount. The program covers nine mechanical standards that