Implementation of China’s New Non-Powered Particle Respirator Standard Delayed Until 2021

China has postponed the implementation of its new mandatory standard for “Respiratory Protection – Non-Powered Air-Purifying Particle Respirator” – GB 2626-2019. GB 2626-2019 was originally included in China’s No. 17 announcement of approved national standards in 2019. It was scheduled to come into effect on July 1, 2020, but, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, this

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South Korea Introduces New Requirement for Young Children’s Rubber Nipples

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

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Japan Amends Food Contact Synthetic Resin Materials and Articles Regulations

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

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SGS Collaborates on AATCC’s New Textile Face Covering Draft Guidance

The American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) has released a draft guidance document relating to textile face coverings.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

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Restrictions on MCCPs and TBBP-A Recommended Under EU RoHS Regulation

EU RoHS Consultation Project Pack 15 under EU Directive 2011/65/EU (ROHS 2) concluded on April 27, 2020, with the recommendation to restrict medium chained chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs) and tetrabromobisphenol-A (TBBP-A). Consultation project Pack 15 began in December 2017 and contained two main parts: Review the existing methodology for identifying and assessing substances for possible restriction

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COVID-19 Causes Brazil to Defer New Food Contact Plastics and Polymeric Coatings Regulations

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

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State of New York State Updates Lead-Containing Jewelry Law

The US state of New York has amended its Lead-Containing Jewelry Law (A6041/S4046), which covers jewelry for children aged under twelve years. Originally enacted in December 2019, the Lead-Containing Jewelry Law was amended in April 2020 following the signing of A8978 by the state’s governor. The changes include: The revision of the threshold of ‘less

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Electrical and Electronics Sector Hit with New Mandatory VOC Standards in China

China has published four new mandatory national standards covering volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in coatings, adhesives, inks, and cleaning agents. These will impact many industries, including electrical and electronic. Released by the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) and the Standardization Administration of the People’s Republic of China (SAC) on March 4, 2020, these mandatory

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