Insight Bulletins: Housewares and Furniture
South Korea – Standard for Skin-contact Plastic Products Approved
The Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS) has issued the standard for plastic products (Annex 24) under the “Household Goods Subject to Safety Standards.” The standard shall be effective from 22 October 2020. More…
U.S. – California Becomes First State in U.S. to Ban the Sale of New Fur Products
On October 12, 2019, California Governor Gavin Newsom approved Assembly Bill (AB) 44 – Fur Products: Prohibition. The law prohibits the sale, offering for sale, displaying for sale, trade, or distributing for monetary or nonmonetary consideration a fur product in the state of California. More…
U.S. – Maine Reposts Draft Reporting Rule for PFOS in Certain Children’s Products
The Maine Department of Environmental Protection has reposted the proposed rule to designate perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) as a Priority Chemical under its Safer Chemicals in Children's Products rules. Since the initial posting in April and the subsequent public hearing, the Department of... More…
U.S. – California Adopts SB647 Amending the Jewelry Law
On September 27, 2019, California Governor Gavin Newsom approved the Senate bill (SB) 647 Hazardous substances: metal containing jewelry. This bill amends the current California jewelry law to revise the definition of a child, lead and cadmium requirements for children’s jewelry, lead requirements for adult jewelry and More…
U.S. – August 2019 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…
U.S. – July 2019 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…
Italy – Amendment of Authorized Substance List for Stainless Steel Food Contact Materials Approved
The Ministry of Health of Italy has approved the amendment of the authorized substance list to include stainless steel products that come into contact with food, by amending the Decree of 21 March 1973 on “Hygiene rules for packaging, containers and utensils intended to come into contact with foodstuffs or personal-use products.” More…
U.S. – June 2019 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…
EU REACH – ECHA Announces Addition of 4 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 the substance included in the Candidate List have six months from 16th July publication to notify ECHA if the following conditions apply: More…
EU Commission Publishes Recast on Persistent Organic Pollutants Regulation
The European Commission has published a recast legislation on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POP), Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 on Persistent Organic Pollutants. The Regulation replaces the previous legislation Regulation (EC) No 850/2004, which has been substantially amended. More…
U.S. – May 2019 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…
U.S. – April 2019 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…
Canada – Corded Window Coverings Regulations SOR/2019-97 Approved
Health Canada has approved Corded Window Coverings (CWCs) Regulations SOR/2019-97, which will enter into force on May 1, 2021. This also repeals the current Corded Window Covering Products Regulation (CWCPR) SOR/2016-172. Corded windows coverings must meet the physical, chemical and More…
U.S. – March 2019 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…
Australia – Safety Warning Notice for Button Batteries Published
On 29 March, 2019, the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) published a safety warning notice to communicate the possible risks involved with button batteries and their use in products. There are constantly product recalls for products containing button batteries More…
Korea – Amendments Approved to Standards and Specifications for Food Utensils, Containers and Packages
The Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) has issued Notice No. 2019-2 to approve the amendments to the Standards and Specifications for Food Utensils, Containers and Packages. The highlights of the amendments are listed below More…
U.S. – Maine Proposes Reporting Rule for PFOS in Certain Children’s Products
The Maine Department of Environmental Protection has proposed to designate perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) as priority chemicals under its Safer Chemicals in Children's Products rules. More…
U.S. – February 2019 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... More…
Australia – Consumer Goods (Disposable Cigarette Lighters) Safety Standard 2019 Approved
The Commonwealth of Australia has published Consumer Goods (Disposable Cigarette Lighters) Safety Standard 2019. This safety standard set out specified requirements for disposable cigarette lighters and will be effective on 13 February 2019. The previous safety regulation Trade Practices (Consumer Product Safety Standard) (Disposable Cigarette Lighters) Regulations More…
U.S. – CPSC Requires Clothing Storage Units to Comply with ASTM F2057
On February 27, 2019, Acting U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Chairman Buerkle spoke at the International Consumer Product Health and Safety Organization (ICPHSO) Annual Training & Symposium informing that effective immediately clothing storage units not meeting the requirements in ASTM F2057-17 will More…
U.S. – FTC Seeks Public Comments on whether to Repeal, Amend or Retain Leather Guides
As part of the systemic review of all the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) rules and guides, the FTC is seeking public comments on whether to repeal, amend or retain the Guides for Select Leather and Imitation Leather Products, 16 CFR 24 (Leather Guides). More…
U.S. – ANSI/ BIFMA X5.9 Storage Units Standard Updated
On February 1, 2019, the Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association (BIFMA) released a new version of the industry standard for storage units, ANSI/BIFMA X 5.9-2019. The following are the revisions to the amendment as compared to ANSI/BIFMA X 5.9-2012 version: More…
U.S. – CPSC Saferproducts.gov Database: Request for Comment and Public Hearing
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is considering improvements to www.SaferProducts.gov, the organization’s publicly available consumer product safety information database, to make the portal easier to understand, navigate, and interact with, as well as more useful for submitting and obtaining desired information. More…
Canada – Manitoba Revokes Bedding and Other Upholstered or Stuffed Articles Regulation
On January 24, 2019, the Government of Manitoba announced the repeal of the Bedding and Other Upholstered or Stuffed Articles Regulation, 78/2004. The regulation will be revoked effective January 1, 2020. Due to the revocation of this regulation, starting January 1, 2020, upholstered and stuffed articles offered More…
EU REACH – ECHA Announces Addition of SVHCs to Candidate List
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) announced the addition of 6 new Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs) to the Candidate List. Four of the substances in list are polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) which may be used in polymer production. More…
EU REACH – European Union Publishes Regulation (EU) 2018/2005 Amending the Phthalates Restriction in Entry 51 of REACH Annex XVII
The European Commission has published Regulation (EU) 2018/2005 in the EU Official Journal. The regulation amends Entry 51 of Annex XVII to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) on More…
Canada – Ontario Revokes Upholstered and Stuffed Articles Labeling Regulation
The Government of Ontario announced revocation of the upholstered and stuffed articles regulation under Technical Standards and Safety Act of 2000. The regulation will be revoked effective July 1, 2019. Due to the revocation of this regulation, starting July 1, 2019, upholstered and stuffed articles offered for sale in More…
EU REACH – European Union Publishes Regulation (EU) 2018/1513 Restricting CMR Substances in Clothing
The European Commission has published Regulation (EU) 2018/1513, which introduces a restriction on certain carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction (CMR) substances in apparel, footwear and other textile consumer products. The regulation amends Annex XVII to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the More…
U.S. – Oregon Amends Toxic-Free Kids Rule
Oregon Health Authority (OHA) amended the Toxic-Free Kids Rule (TFKR), also known as the Children’s Products Reporting Rule requirements. Following are the amendments: High Priority Chemicals of Concern for Children’s Health (HPCCCH) list revision. Based on the revision to the Washington Children’s Products Reporting Rule More…
U.S. – California Passes AB-2998 Prohibiting Flame Retardants in Juvenile Products, Upholstered Furniture and Mattresses
On September 29, 2018, California Governor Brown signed bill AB-2998, which prohibits the sale of new juvenile products, mattresses and upholstered furniture that contains specified flame retardants. Effective January 1, 2020, the Act prohibits sale, offer for sale and distribution in the State of California of More…
EU REACH – Addition of 10 SVHCs to Candidate List Announced by ECHA
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) announced the addition of 10 new Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs) to the Candidate List, bringing the total number of substances on the list to 191. The 10 substances are detailed below for reference. More…
U.S. – EPA Revises Compliance Deadlines for Formaldehyde Emission Standards in Composite Wood Products
On March 13, 2018, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California issued an order addressing the litigation over the December 12, 2018, compliance date for the formaldehyde standards for composite wood products issued pursuant to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Title VI. More…
Turkey Proposes to Amend Safety Requirements for Certain Consumer Products
The Ministry of Customs and Trade of Turkey has proposed to amend the safety requirements for certain consumer products under the Communique published in Official Gazette No. 29701. The proposed requirements are highlighted as follows: More…
U.S. CPSC and Health Canada – DRAFT 'Guidance on the Application of Human Factors to Consumer Products'
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Health Canada have both published the draft “Guidance on the Application of Human Factors to Consumer Products” for public comment. The draft guidance document was co-developed by CPSC and Health Canada staff to provide guidance to More…
U.S. – Washington Passes HB2658 Restricting PFAS in Food Packaging
On March 21, 2018, Washington state Governor Inslee signed bill HB2658 restricting use of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) chemicals in food packaging. Effective January 1, 2022, the law prohibits sale, offer for sale and distribution in the State of Washington, of food packaging to which More…
EU Strengthens Bisphenol A Restriction in Food Contact Materials and Articles
On 14 February 2018, the European Commission published Regulation (EU) 2018/213 in the Official Journal of European Union to strengthen the restriction on the use of bisphenol A (BPA) in plastic food contact materials under Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 and restrict the use of BPA as varnishes More…
EU REACH – EU Commission Publishes Draft Restriction on Substances in Clothing and other Textile Products
The EU Commission published a draft regulation that will amend Annex XVII of the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) and introduce further chemical restrictions on the use of substances in apparel, footwear and other textile consumer products. More…
EU REACH – ECHA Announces Addition of SVHCs to Candidate List
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) announced the addition of 7 new Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs) to the Candidate List. It has also amended the entry to the substance, bisphenol-A. The amendment to BPA and the 7 substances are detailed below for reference More…
U.S. – CPSC Issues Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for Clothing Storage Units Tip-overs
As part of the rulemaking process under the Consumer Product Safety Act, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) to initiate the rulemaking process and address the risks of death and injury associated with clothing storage units tipping over. More…
Australia – Consumer Goods (Baby Bath Aids) Safety Standard 2017 Published
The Commonwealth of Australia published Consumer Goods (Baby Bath Aids) Safety Standard 2017. From 27 Oct 2018, baby bath aids shall comply with the standard. Below are highlights of the standard: The baby bath aid shall have a warning statement in the following form More…
U.S. – California: PFOA and PFOS added to the Proposition 65 List
On November 10, 2017, the California EPA Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) added perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) to the Proposition 65 list of chemicals known to the state to cause reproductive toxicity under the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 More…
U.S. – CPSC Issues Final Rule to Modify and Expand the Ban on Phthalates in Toys and Child Care Articles
On October 18, 2017, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) voted to approve a Final Rule modifying and expanding the existing CPSC regulation limiting certain phthalates (plastic softeners) in toys and child care articles. The new Rule will go into effect in approximately six months’ time More…
U.S. – CPSC Proposes to Exempt Certain Engineered Wood Products from CPSIA Chemical Testing Requirements
On October 13, 2017, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPR) to exempt certain untreated and unfinished engineered wood products (EWP) from the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA) section 101 total lead content, CPSIA section 108 phthalate More…
Argentina – Publishes Authorization Requirements for Food Contact Materials and Articles
On 21 September 2017, the National Administration of Drugs, Foods and Medical Devices (ANMAT) of Argentina published Disposition 10088-E/2017 on the authorization requirements for food contact materials and articles. It entered into force on 9 October 2017. The highlights for the importers are as follows More…
U.S. – EPA Extends Compliance Deadlines for Formaldehyde Emission Standards in Composite Wood Products
On September 25, 2017, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published the final rule extending the compliance dates for the formaldehyde emission standards for composite wood products final rule, issued pursuant to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Title VI, and published in the Federal Register on December 12, 2016 More…
U.S. – Maine Passes Act Prohibiting Use of Flame-retardant Chemicals in Residential Upholstered Furniture
On August 2, 2017, the Maine state legislature voted to override the Governor’s veto and pass House Bill LD182 prohibiting the sale and distribution of residential upholstered furniture containing flame retardants. By enacting this bill, Maine becomes first state to categorically ban the use of More…
U.S. – CPSC Exempts Seven Plastics from CPSIA Section 108 Phthalate Content Testing Requirements
On August 30, 2017, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) published the final rule, 16 CFR 1308 – Prohibition of Children’s Toys and Child Care Articles Containing Specified Phthalates: Determinations Regarding Certain Plastics. This rule exempts seven plastics with specified additives from More…
EU REACH – ECHA Announces Addition of SVHC to Candidate List
On 10th July 2017, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) announced the addition of a new a Substance of Very High Concern (SVHC) to the Candidate List. The addition is perfluorohexane-1-sulfonic acid and its salts (PFHxS). These substances may be used as a surfactant and wetting agent. More…
EU – European Commission Publishes Regulation (EU) 2017-1000 Amending REACH Annex XVII to Introduce Restrictions on PFOA
The European Commission has introduced a regulation adding an extra entry in Annex XVII of REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 for restriction on Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), salts and PFOA-related substances. Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/1000 as regards perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), its salts and PFOA-related substances amends Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of More…
Algeria – Decree on Food Contact Materials and Articles Published
On 6 December 2017, Algeria published Executive Decree No. 16-299 to regulate food contact materials and articles, repealing Executive Decree No. 04-91. The Decree entered into force on 7 June 2017. Here are the highlights: More…