Insight Bulletins: 2020
The below Intertek Insight technical bulletins are from 2020
EU – Amendment to Allergenic Fragrance Requirements under Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC Approved
The European Commission has published Directives (EU) 2020/2088 and 2020/2089 to amend Annex II to the Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC, regarding allergenic fragrances in toys. Member States shall apply the amendments from 5 July 2022 More…
U.S. – CPSC Proposes 16 CFR 1241 Safety Standard for Crib Mattresses
As part of the rulemaking process required by Section 104(b) of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA), the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is proposing a new federal regulation: 16 CFR 1241 Safety Standard for Crib Mattresses. More…
EU – Restricted Azo Dyes Test Methods Harmonised in Annex XVII of REACH
The European Union issued an amendment to REACH in the official journal on 16th December 2020. Commission Regulation (EU) 2020/2096 of 15 December 2020 amends Annex XVII to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the More…
EU – New EN 71-2:2020 Flammability Safety of Toys Published
The primary changes are related to toy disguise costumes. There are now requirements for toy disguise costumes to be tested before and after washing, even if the manufacturer’s instructions state not to wash. In addition, the test method allows the testing of More…
U.S. – CPSC Proposes Amendment to the 16 CFR 1632 Safety Standard for Mattresses and Mattress Pads
Under the U.S. Flammable Fabrics Act, 16 CFR 1632 is the federal standard for flammability of mattresses and mattress pads. 16 CFR 1632 evaluates the ignition resistance of a mattress or mattress pad when exposed to a lighted cigarette using pass/fail criteria More…
U.S. – July 2020 California Proposition 65 – 60-Day Notices Analysis
The Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, commonly referred to as Proposition 65 (Prop 65), is enforced by the California Attorney General’s office or any district attorney or certain city attorneys or by any individual acting in the public interest More…
Results of China Market Textile and Footwear Spot Checks in November 2020
In November, the Shanghai AMR, Zhejiang AMR, Guangdong AMR and Hubei AMR announced the results of the special product quality supervision for bedding articles and textiles. This spot check was conducted according to GB 18401-2010 “National general safety technical code for textile products,” GB 18383-2007 More…
U.S. – August 2020 California Proposition 65 – 60-Day Notices Analysis
The Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, commonly referred to as Proposition 65 (Prop 65), is enforced by the California Attorney General’s office or any district attorney or certain city attorneys or by any individual acting in the public interest More…
China – Textile Standard GB/T 4146.1-2020 Approved to Replace 2009 Version
The Standardization Administration of the People’s Republic of China recently released announcement No.22 of 2020, which included an update that GB/T 4146-2020 “Textiles—Man-made fibers—Part 1: Generic names” has replaced the 2009 version. It will be effective on May 1, 2021. More…
Results of China Market Textile, Footwear Spot Checks in October 2020
In October, the Shanghai AMR, Zhejiang AMR, Jiangsu AMR, Liaoning AMR, Jilin AMR, Nanjing AMR and Qingdao AMR (Shandong) announced the results of the special product quality supervision for bedding articles and textiles. This spot check was conducted according to GB 2626-2006 “Respiratory protective equipment—Non-powered air-purifying particle respirator” More…
U.S. – June 2020 California Proposition 65 – 60-Day Notices Analysis
The Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, commonly referred to as Proposition 65 (Prop 65), is enforced by the California Attorney General’s office or any district attorney or certain city attorneys or by any individual acting in the public interest More…
China – GB 38995-2020 for Feeding Bottles and Teats Approved
The standard will apply to infant feeding bottles, teats and drinking accessories made of plastic, glass, metal, ceramic, silicone rubber, and rubber. However, it will not apply to feeding bottles and teats for medical use, and pacifiers. More…
U.S. – CPSC Staff Guidance on COVID-19 Related Products Published
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) staff has published guidance for COVID-19 related products such as face coverings, gowns, gloves, and disinfectant & cleaning products. Manufacturers should note that this guidance only covers the More…
India –Toy (Quality Control) Order 2020 Approved
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry of India approved the Toy (Quality Control) Order 2020. It shall enter into force on 1 January 2021. Following are the highlights of the order: More…
Results of China Market Textile, Footwear Spot Checks in September 2020
In September, the Guangdong AMR, Shaanxi AMR, Guangzhou AMR and Shenyang AMR announced the results of the special product quality supervision for bedding articles and textiles. This spot check was conducted according to GB 2626-2006 “Respiratory protective equipment—Non-powered air-purifying particle respirator,” More…
China – Shanghai Customs Publishes Announcement to Further Optimize the Inspection of Imported Clothing
Shanghai Customs of the People’s Republic of China recently published Announcement Order No 5 of Customs, 2020, in order to optimize the inspection process of imported clothing in the customs area. This announcement will implement the work arrangement of the General Administration of Customs to stabilize foreign trade and More…
U.S. – FTC Finalizes Amendment to the Textile Fiber Products Identification Act (16 CFR 303)
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has amended the Rules & Regulations Under the Textile Fiber Products Identification Act to incorporate the latest ISO 2076 standard: ISO 2076:2013(E), “Textiles—Man-made fibres—Generic names.” This incorporation by reference will... More…
U.S. – Prop 65 Settlement for Chromium VI in Leather Gloves
The Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, commonly referred to as Proposition 65 (Prop 65), is enforced by the California Attorney General’s office. In addition, any district attorney, city attorney (population greater than 750,000), or any individual acting in More…
Canada – Amendment to Textiles Labeling and Advertising Regulations Proposed
The Competition Bureau of Canada is proposing to revise the Textiles Labeling Act (TLA) and Textiles Labeling and Advertising Regulations (TLAR) to amend the scope of labeling requirements for upholstered and filled articles, along with streamlining those requirements for simplification. More…
United Arab Emirates – Child Care Articles Control Scheme Published
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has published the Cabinet Decision No. 34 of 2019 on UAE Control Scheme for Child Care Articles. This Decision applies to the products listed in the table below. This Decision is already effective. More…
EU – Amendment to Plastic Food Contact Regulation (EU) 10/2011 Approved
The European Commission has published Regulation (EU) 2020/1245 to amend Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 on plastic food contact materials and articles. The amendment will enter into force on 23 September 2020. The most significant changes are More…
Results of China Market Textile, Footwear and Bags Spot Checks in August 2020
In August, the Anhui AMR and Hainan AMR announced the results of the special product quality supervision for bedding articles. This spot check was conducted according to GB 18401-2010 “National general safety technical code for textile products,” GB 18383-2007 More…
U.S. – Vermont Amends the Children’s Products Reporting Rule
The Vermont Department of Health’s Chemicals of High Concern in Children’s Products Reporting Rule requires manufacturers of children’s products to disclose the presence of any intentionally added chemicals of concern above the practical quantification limit (PQL) or above 100ppm, when present as a contaminant. More…
Australia – Safety Standard for Toys Containing Magnets Approved
Australia has published the Consumer Goods (Toys Containing Magnets) Safety Standard 2020 to replace Consumer Protection Notice No. 5 of 2010 (CPN No. 5 of 2010). The new standard has already come into force. Suppliers may choose to comply with either CPN No. 5 of 2010 or More…
U.S. – The EPA Finalizes Amendments to SNUR for Long-chain Perfluoroalkyl Carboxylate and Perfluoroalkyl Sulfonate Chemical Substances
On July 27, 2020, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) promulgated the significant new use rule (SNUR) for long-chain perfluoroalkyl carboxylate (LCPFAC) and perfluoroalkyl sulfonate chemical substances, and an amendment to make inapplicable the exemption for persons who import a subset of More…
France – Replacement of Rubber Food Contact Regulation Approved
The Ministry of Economy, Finance and Recovery of France has published Order of 5 August 2020, on rubber food contact materials and articles and pacifiers for infants and young children, which shall replace and repeal Order of 9 November 1994, on 1 July 2021. More…
U.S. – Hong Kong’s U.S. Exports to be Labeled “Made in China”
On July 14, 2020, U.S. President Trump issued Executive Order 13936 on Hong Kong Normalization, in accordance with the suspension of the Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992, requiring imported goods produced in Hong Kong to indicate “China” as their origin. More…
Mercosur –Updates on Technical Regulations for Plastic Food Contact Articles Proposed
The Southern Common Market (Mercosur), comprised of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, Venezuela and Bolivia, has published two draft resolutions to amend the Technical Regulations for plastic food contact articles. The key points of these two resolutions are summarized as follows... More…
U.S. – CPSC Delays adoption of ASTM F2050-19 for Hand-Held Infant Carriers in Direct Final Rule
As part of the rulemaking process required by Section 104(b) of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA), the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) approved the new ASTM F2050-19 to be incorporated in the federal regulation... More…
U.S. – Toxics in Packaging Clearinghouse Proposes Updated Model Toxics in Packaging Legislation
The Toxics in Packaging Clearinghouse (TPCH) was established by the Coalition of Northeastern Governors (CONEG) in 1992 to assist with the adoption of the CONEG-developed Model Toxics in Packaging Legislation, which aims to reduce the presence of heavy metals and other harmful substances in More…
Results of China Market Textile, Footwear and Bags Spot Checks in July 2020
In July, the Guangdong AMR, Shandong AMR, Tianjin AMR, Henan AMR, Hainan AMR and Ningbo AMR announced the results of the special product quality supervision for textiles. This spot check was conducted according to GB 18401-2010 “National general safety technical code for textile products,” GB 18383-2007 More…
U.S. – FTC Proposes 16 CFR 323 Made in USA Labeling
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is tasked with protecting consumers from deceptive acts and practices under FTC Act. Section 5(a) of the FTC Act authorizes the FTC is to ensure that a ‘Made in USA’ claim, like any other claim, be truthful, non-deceptive and substantiated More…
U.S. – CPSC Approves 16 CFR 1239 Safety Standard for Gates and Enclosures
As part of the rulemaking process required by Section 104(b) of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA), the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has approved a new federal regulation: 16 CFR 1239 Safety Standard for Gates and Enclosures More…
U.S. – FTC Seeks Comments on a Proposal to Repeal Care Labeling Rule
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is seeking comment on a proposal to repeal the rule on Care Labeling of Textile Wearing Apparel and Certain Piece Goods as Amended (“Care Labeling Rule”). The deadline for public comments is September 21, 2020. More…
EU REACH – Explanatory Guide on REACH Annex XVII Entry 72 Published
The European Commission has published an explanatory guide to clarify the scope of articles intended to be covered and list the analytical methods for CMR (carcinogenic, mutagenic or reprotoxic) substances under entry 72 to Annex XVII of REACH. More…
U.S. – AATCC Publishes Monograph 14 Guidance on Textile Face Coverings for Adults
The American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) has published Monograph 14 on textile face coverings for adults. AATCC has made this document available for free due to the COVID-19 pandemic at: https://www.aatcc.org/testing/emerging/ More…
Brazil – Amendments on Quality Regulation for Toys and School Articles Approved
The National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology (INMETRO) has published an ordinance to amend the Quality Regulation for Toys and School Articles. The following is a summary of the amendments: More…
Results of China Market Textile, Footwear and Bags Spot Checks in June 2020
In June, the Zhejiang AMR and Jiangsu AMR announced the results of the special product quality supervision for textiles and bedding articles. This spot check was conducted according to GB 18401-2010 “National general safety technical code for textile products,”... More…
Denmark – EPA Issues Report on Chemicals found in Slime Toys
The Danish Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently published a report on chemicals in slime toys, focusing on preservatives used in the toys. Several non-compliant products were identified, due to the presence of borate and a risk due to the content of isothiazolinones. More…
EU REACH – ECHA Announces Addition of SVHCs to Candidate List
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) announced the addition of 4 new Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs) to the Candidate List. Producers and importers of articles containing a substance included in the Candidate List have six months from addition to the candidate list to More…
EU – CEN Publishes Workshop Agreement on Community Face Coverings
The European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) has published a workshop agreement document on face coverings. The CEN Workshop Agreement (CWA) document - CWA 17553 Community Face Coverings - Gude to Minimum Requirements, Methods of Testing and Use – has been made freely available to More…
Australia – Consumer Goods (Projectile Toys) Safety Standard 2020 Approved
The Australian Government has published Consumer Goods (Projectile Toys) Safety Standard 2020, which sets out the mandatory requirements for Projectile Toys. It is effective immediately. The previous Consumer Protection Notice No. 16 of 2010, Consumer Product Safety Standard for Children’s Projectile Toys can still More…
Australia – Consumer Goods (Aquatic Toys) Safety Standard 2020 Approved
The Australian Government has published Consumer Goods (Aquatic Toys) Safety Standard 2020, which sets out the mandatory requirements of Aquatic Toys. It is effective immediately. The previous Consumer Protection Notice No 2 of 2009, Consumer Product Safety Standard for Flotation Toys and Aquatic Toys can still More…
China – Revision of China Compulsory Certification (CCC) Rules for Toys and Children’s Vehicles has been Approved
The Certification and Accreditation Administration (CNCA) of China has published Notice No. 14 of 2020 to approve the General Implementation Rules for China Compulsory Certification (CCC) of Children’s Vehicles (CNCA-C22-01:2020) and Toys (CNCA-C22-02:2020). The Rules shall be implemented from 1 July 2020. More…
U.S. – May 2020 California Proposition 65 – 60-Day Notices Analysis
The Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, commonly referred to as Proposition 65 (Prop 65), is enforced by the California Attorney General’s office or any district attorney or certain city attorneys or by any individual acting in the public interest. More…
Results of China Market Textile, Footwear and Bags Spot Checks in May 2020
In May, the Zhejiang AMR, Jiangsu AMR and Henan AMR announced the results of the special product quality supervision for textiles and bedding articles. This spot check was conducted according to GB 18401-2010 “National general safety technical code for textile products,” More…
U.S. – Federal Drug Administration Updates Enforcement Policy for Face Masks and Respirators
The U.S. Federal Drug Administration (FDA) has issued additional guidance to allow an expanded availability of face masks for the general public and respirators for health care personnel (HCP). This guidance has an indefinite timeframe based upon the length of the COVID-19 situation. More…
U.S. – CPSC Approves 16 CFR 1253 to Exempt Unfinished Manufactured Fibers from CPSIA Phthalates and ASTM F963 Heavy Elements Third-Party Testing Requirements
On May 5, 2020, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) voted unanimously to exempt certain unfinished manufactured fibers from the 16 CFR 1307 phthalate content requirement and the ASTM F963 soluble elements testing requirements, to provide manufacturers relief from third-party testing requirements. More…
China – The SAMR Publishes 2020 Spot-check Plan
On May 8, 2020, the China State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) published its spot-check plan for 2020. The SAMR is China’s governmental authority that undertakes a broad range of market supervision responsibilities, including registration of companies doing business in the China market More…
U.S. – CPSC Adopts ASTM F2050-19 for Hand-Held Infant Carriers in Direct Final Rule
As part of the rulemaking process required by Section 104(b) of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA), the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has approved the new ASTM F2050-19 to be incorporated in the federal regulation More…