Hardlines

An application notice relating to the updated standards for mezzanine beds has been published in the Journal Officiel de la République Française (JORF). It relates to Decree No 95-949, which seeks to reduce risks associated with the use of bunk beds in domestic or contract environments. The application notice relates to mezzanine beds. These are […]

In its aim to help toy manufacturers, importers and retailers ensure their Electrical and Electronic (EE) toys are safe and compliant for European markets, SGS – the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company, is to host a complimentary webinar. ‘Focus on EN IEC 62115:2020 for Electrical and Electronic Toys’ takes place on March

The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (US HUD) has issued a final rule that aligns the formaldehyde emission requirements for composite wood products used in the construction of houses with the Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Product Act (the Act). The Act was a landmark piece of legislation that added Title VI to

Georgia has announced the introduction of a new Technical Regulation for toy safety. Published as an attachment to Resolution No. 47 of January 20, 2020 on ‘Approving the Technical Regulation on Toy Safety’, the new Technical Regulation is based on the European Union’s Directive 2009/48/EC, commonly known as the Toy Safety Directive (TSD). Toys are

Turkey has established a list of toys that are subject to importation product safety inspections under its Risk-Based Control System on Foreign Trade (TAREKS). The list is contained in Annex 1 of Communiqué on Import Control of Toys (Products Safety and Inspections: 2020/10 of December 27, 2019 under Number 30991 (Repeat), henceforth referred to as

With the Christmas period now over, manufacturers and retailers of toys are being advised to look at how they can improve their supply chains to ensure products match consumer expectations to avoid their return. The toy industry has seen some contraction – globally it is reported to be down 3% but in certain territories, such

Brazil has established a positive list of additives for food contact plastics and polymeric coatings. Published on December 4, 2019 by the Brazilian National Health Surveillance Agency (Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária, ANVISA), Resolution of the Collegiate Board of Directors No. 326 of December 3, 2019 (Resolução de Diretoria Colegiada No. 326, de 3 de

After water, tea is the second most consumed beverage in the world. It is estimated 281 billion liters were consumed in 2019 and this is a trend that is destined to continue to rise. Around the world, teabags are becoming a staple in many markets. For example, in the UK 96% of tea is purchased

In December 2019, Turkey published two notifications that more closely align its regulations for food contact plastics with those of the European Union’s Regulation (EU) 10/2011. The two notifications are: Notification No. 2019/43 under Number 30989 (Repeat) of December 25, 2019 ‘Turkish Food Codex Communication on Food Simulants used in Migration Tests for Plastic Materials

In July 2019, Colombia published an Emergency Technical Regulation covering the migration of specific heavy metals from food contact glass, ceramics and similar products. Published by the Colombian Ministry of Health and Social Protection (Ministerio de Salud y Protección Social) as Resolution 1893 of July 16, 2019 (Resolución Número 1893 de 2019 (16 JUL 2019)),