Insight Bulletins: Housewares and Furniture
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…
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…
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. – April 2020 California Proposition 65 – 60-Day Notices Analysis
he 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. – Maryland Approves Bill to Restrict Flame Retardants in Certain Consumer Products
On May 8, 2020, Senate bill SB447 was enacted as Maryland Governor Hogan did not veto the bill within 30 days after it was presented after passing both chambers. The bill prohibits a person from importing, selling, or offering for sale certain products containing flame retardants More…
Canada – CAN/CGSB-182.1 Flammability and Labelling Requirements for Tents Published
On April 22, 2020, Health Canada published CAN/CGSB-182.1-2020, flammability and labelling requirements for tents. However, the existing requirements in the tent regulations, SOR/2016-185, which refers to CPAI-84 for flammability testing, remain in effect for all tents manufactured, imported, advertised or sold in Canada. More…
Japan – Positive Lists for Plastic Food Contact Materials Published
The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) of Japan has published the positive lists for plastic food contact articles and packaging, which will be implemented from 1 June 2020. Contrary to the existing heavy metal content and leachable substance restrictions in the More…
U.S. – March 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…
Canada –New National Standard Announced for Barbecue Grill Brushes: CSA Z630:19
To address the hazards like alimentary tract injuries caused to Canadians from ingesting food prepared on a barbecue grill previously cleaned by a barbecue grill brush, Health Canada and the Retail Council of Canada commissioned the CSA Group and Standards Council of Canada to More…
Australia – Regulatory Assessment of Button Battery Safety Published
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has published their assessment of regulatory options as it relates to button battery safety. The 92-page summary is available for public access and is open for comment through 30 April 2020. More…
U.S./Canada – “Guidance on the Application of Human Factors – A Unified Approach” Finalized
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Health Canada finalized and co-published the “Guidance on the Application of Human Factors Consumer Products” in February 2020. Over the last year, the draft version of the document was available for public comment. More…
Mexico – Mandatory Standard for Cookware with Non-stick Coating Approved
The Secretary of Economy of Mexico has published a mandatory standard for cookware with non-stick coating (NOM-225-SCFI-2019). The standard shall come into force on 7 September 2020. Products that are legally manufactured, imported or in transit in accordance with the corresponding bill of lading before More…
U.S. – December 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. – November 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. – New York Approves Toxic Chemicals in Children’s Product Law (Bill S501B)
On February 7, 2020, Governor Cuomo signed legislation (S501B) enacting the regulation of toxic chemicals in children's products. The law requires manufacturers to disclose the use of chemicals in children's products and requires the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to make this information public to consumers. More…
U.S. – FTC Proposes to Amend the Textile Fiber Product Identification Act (16 CFR 303)
Section 303.7 of the Textile Fiber Product Identification Act establishes the generic names for manufactured fibers that must be used in the required fiber content disclosures by: (1) Listing the generic names and definitions the FTC has established through its textile petition process, and More…
EU REACH – ECHA Announces Addition of 4 New 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. The SVHC substances do not have recognised direct uses in textile products, but some have identified use in polymer production. More…
Turkey –Plastic Food Contact Regulations Revised
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Turkey has published two plastic food contact regulations under Official Journal No. 30989. Products shall comply with the provisions by 31 December 2020. More…
China – Three Important Provisions Published by the State Administration for Market Regulation
China’s State Administration for Market regulation released three important notices on November 26th and 30th, 2019, the key information is as follows: “The interim measures for the management of product quality supervision and spot checks” will come into effect on... More…
Italy – Correction to the Amendment of Authorized Substance List for Stainless Steel Food Contact Materials
The Ministry of Health of Italy has issued a correction to the Decree 9 May 2019, No. 72, which amended the Authorized Substance List for Stainless Steel Food Contact Materials (for more detail, please refer to Insight Vol. 1096) More…
U.S. –California Bureau of Household Goods and Services Name to Appear on Furniture Flammability Labels Starting Jan. 1, 2020
On January 1, 2019, the California Bureau of Electronic and Appliance Repair, Home Furnishings and Thermal Insulation (BEARHFTI) officially became the California Bureau of Household Goods and Services (BHGS). The name change was enacted when Governor Jerry Brown signed SB 1483 in September 2018. More…
U.S. – October 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. – September 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…
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…