Insight Bulletins: Soft Home Furnishings
![U.S. Minnesota State to Restrict Heavy Metals [Lead and Cadmium] and PFAS in Various Consumer Products](https://cdn.intertek.com/www-intertek-com/images/Divisions/CG/Insight-Images/2023/Insight-Vol-1359.png)
U.S. Minnesota State to Restrict Heavy Metals [Lead and Cadmium] and PFAS in Various Consumer Products
Governor Walz of Minnesota signed a budget bill (Chapter 60, House File 2310 – Environment, Natural Resources, Climate, and Energy Omnibus Bill) into law which includes investments into key programs to protect water, climate, and people from pollution. This legislation also includes provisions to restrict... More…
EU approves the new General Product Safety Regulation
The European Commission has approved the new General Product Safety Regulation (EU) 2023/988. The purpose of this regulation is to provide a high level of consumer protection and lay down essential rules on the safety of consumer products. More…
China Market Update: Updated Textile, Footwear Products & Hardgoods Standard List 2023
Recently, the standardization administration of the People’s Republic of China released announcement No.1 & No. 2 of 2023, and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the People’s Republic of China released announcement No. 7 of 2023 to publish standards updates. More…
U.S. – April 2023 California Proposition 65 – 60-Day Notices Analysis
In April 2023, there were 256 60-day notices for violation of Prop 65. The majority of the notices were for Lead (46%). Other Chemicals had 24% of the notices, 30% of notices were for the presence of Phthalates. More…
EU adds Requirements for Lead in PVC under REACH Regulation
On May 8, 2023, the European Commission approved and published Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/923 to amend Annex XVII to REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006. The following paragraphs on the requirements for lead and its compounds in PVC materials and articles have been added to Entry 63. More…
Maine, U.S. - Children’s Products Priority Chemicals Reporting Guidelines
Manufacturers who sell certain categories of children's products containing any of Maine's priority chemicals in an amount greater than de minimis, and who have not already reported to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), must do so within 30 days of the product becoming available in Maine More…
EU – New Nickel Release Standard Published – EN 1811:2023
On 22 February 2023, CEN (European Committee for Standardization) published a new version of the reference test method for nickel release, EN 1811:2023, which superseded the previous version EN 1811:2011+A1:2015. More…
U.S. – March 2023 California Proposition 65 – 60-Day Notices Analysis
In March 2023, there were 315 60-day notices for violation of Prop 65. The majority of the notices were for Lead (49%). Other Chemicals had 24% of the notices, 27% of notices were for the presence of Phthalates. More…
U.S. – February 2023 California Proposition 65 – 60-Day Notices Analysis
In February 2023, there were 291 60-day notices for violation of Prop 65. The majority of the notices were for Lead (50.9%). Other Chemicals had 25.8% of the notices, 23% of notices were for the presence of Phthalates and 0.3% was for the presence of lead and phthalates. More…
Canada: Canada General Standards Board Update to Flammability Standard CAN/CGSB-4.2 No. 27.5
On January 2023, The Canada General Standards Board (CGSB) published the CAN/CGSB-4.2 No. 27.5-2023 Flame Resistance – 45° angle test- One second flame impingement, which supersedes the CAN/CGSB-4.2 No. 27.5 2008 and CAN/CGSB-4.2 No. 30.3-1994. More…
U.S. – January 2023 California Proposition 65 – 60-Day Notices Analysis
In January 2023, there were a total of 298 60-day notices for violation of Prop 65. Majority of the notices were for Phthalates (37%). Lead had 35% of the notices, and the remaining 28% of notices were for the presence of other chemicals. More…
ECHA Adds Nine Hazardous Chemicals to Candidate List
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has added nine Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs) chemical to the Candidate List because of their hazardous properties. The Candidate List now has 233 entries. The substances are detailed for reference... More…
U.S. – December 2022 California Proposition 65 – 60-Day Notices Analysis
In Dec 2022, there were a total of 316 60-day notices for violation of Prop 65. The majority of the notices were for Lead 49%. Phthalates had 26% of the notices, and the remaining 25% of notices were for the presence of other chemicals. More…
U.S. – November 2022 California Proposition 65 – 60-Day Notices Analysis
In Nov 2022, there were a total of 235 60-day notices for violation of Prop 65. The majority of the notices were for Lead 53%. Phthalates had 19% of the notices, and the remaining 28% of notices were for the presence of other chemicals. More…
U.S. – October 2022 California Proposition 65 – 60-Day Notices Analysis
In Oct 2022, there were a total of 271 60-day notices for violation of Prop 65. The majority of the notices were for Lead (40%) and Phthalates (33%). The remaining 27% were notices for the presence of other chemicals. More…
EU – EU Publishes Hexachlorobenzene Requirement in Persistent Organic Pollutants Regulation
The EU has published a limit for hexachlorobenzene under the Persistent Organic Pollutants Regulation. This new law will become effective on December 13, 2022. The legislation was published in the EU Official Journal under Regulation (EU) 2022/2291 of September 8, 2022 to amend... More…
U.S. – CPSC Approved the Final Rule 16 CFR 1261 for the Clothing Storage Units
On Nov 25, 2022, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) published in the Federal Register the final rule for clothing storage units (CSUs) to address the risks of death and injury, particularly for children, associated with clothing storage units tipping over More…
U.S. – September 2022 California Proposition 65 – 60-Day Notices Analysis
In September 2022, there were a total of 326 60-day notices for violation of Prop 65. Majority of the notices were for Lead (50 %) and Phthalates (31 %). The remaining 19% were notices for the presence of other chemicals. More…
China Declares Administrative Measures of the China Customs for Import and Export Commodities Inspection and Acceptance
On Sep 20, 2022, administrative measures for trade commodities were declared by Order No. 259 of the General Administration of Customs. The People's Republic of China has implemented administrative measures with provisions from the “Import and Export Commodity Inspection Law of the People's Republic of China” to More…
U.S. – CPSC Issued Final Rule for Magnet Safety Standard – 16 CFR 1262
The Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) has published the final rule for the magnet safety standard – 16 CFR 1262, to address the unreasonable risk of injury and death associated with children and teens ingesting high-powered magnets. More…
US: California- AB-1817 Product Safety: Textile Articles: Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
California has previously taken initiatives to prohibit the distribution, sale, or offer of food packaging and juvenile products that contain regulated Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) beginning Jan 1, 2023, with additional requirements for manufacturers to use the least toxic alternative when More…
U.S. – August 2022 California Proposition 65 – 60-Day Notices Analysis
In August 2022, there were a total of 298 60-day notices for violation of Prop 65. The majority of the notices were for Lead (48 %) and Phthalates (24 %). The remaining 28% were notices for the presence of other chemicals. More…
U.S. California – Senate Bill 54 Legislation for Cutting Harmful Plastic Pollution
In an effort to reduce pollution and tackle climate change, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed the Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act (SB 54) on Jun 30, 2022, requiring all packaging in the state to be recyclable or compostable by 2032. More…
U.S. – July 2022 California Proposition 65 – 60-Day Notices Analysis
In July 2022, there were a total of 302 60-day notices for violation of Prop 65. The majority of the notices were for Lead (57%) and Phthalates (23%). The remaining 20% were notices for the presence of other chemicals. More…
U.S. – Congress Passes Reese’s Law to Prevent Children from Button Cell Battery Danger
On Aug 2, the Senate passed bill HR5313, also known as Reese’s Law. This bill was passed earlier by House and so it now awaits the President’s signature. The bipartisan bill is named in honor of Reese Hamsmith, an 18-month-old toddler who died after ingesting a button cell battery from a remote control. More…
U.S. – June 2022 California Proposition 65 – 60-Day Notices Analysis
In June 2022, there were a total of 314 60-day notices for alleged violation of Prop 65. Almost half the notices were for Lead (47 %), about a quarter for Phthalates and the remaining 25% were notices for the presence of other chemicals. More…
U.S. – May 2022 California Proposition 65 – 60-Day Notices Analysis
In May 2022, there were a total of 261 60-day notices for violation of Prop 65. The majority of the notices were for Lead (49%) and Phthalates (39%). The remaining 12% of notices were for the presence of other chemicals. More…
Canada Amends Certain Regulations Made Under the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act (Surface Coating Materials)
On June 22, 2022, Health Canada published final regulations amending the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act (Surface Coating Materials)-SOR/2022-122 in the Canada Gazette Part II. The Regulations amend the Surface Coating Materials Regulations and four other regulations... More…
Canada Prohibits Use of Certain Single-Use Plastics
On June 22, 2022, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, and the Ministry of Health, published final regulations to prohibit the manufacture, import, and sale of 6 categories of single-use plastic products. The Single-use Plastics Prohibition Regulations (SUPPR) are part of the More…
U.S. – CPSC Notice: Beta Pilot for Electronic Filing of Certain Certificate of Compliance Data
On June 10th, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued notice announcing Beta pilot for electronic filing (e-filing) of certain data elements of the Certificate of compliance (CPC/GCC)for the regulated consumer products, along with requesting applications for participation in this pilot. More…
French AGEC Law: Decree n° 2022-748 of April 29, 2022, Issued for the Environmental Labeling of Waste-Generating Products for the French Market
Decree n° 2022-748 of April 29, 2022, relating to consumer information on the environmental qualities and characteristics of waste-generating products, was published in the French Official Journal on April 30, 2022. More…
EU REACH – ECHA Announces Addition of 1 SVHC to Candidate List
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) announced the addition of 1 new Substance of Very High Concern (SVHCs) to the Candidate List. More…
U.S. – April 2022 California Proposition 65 – 60-Day Notices Analysis
In April 2022, there were a total of 185 60-day notices for violation of Prop 65. The majority of the notices were for Lead (44 %) and Phthalates (36%). The remaining 20% were notices for the presence of other chemicals. More…
US: SB 273-Maryland bans PFAS in several consumer products
On April 21, 2022, the SB 273- ‘Environment – PFAS Chemicals – Prohibitions and Requirements’ bill to regulate Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in several categories of consumer products was approved by Governor Larry Hogan. Following the demise of Maryland firefighter George “Walter” Taylor in 2020, there have been several initiatives to limit PFAS use in Maryland. More…
U.S. – March 2022 California Proposition 65 – 60-Day Notices Analysis
In March 2022, there were a total of 243 60-day notices for violation of Prop 65. The majority of the notices were for Phthalates (41 %) and lead (39%). The remaining 20% were for the presence of other chemicals. More…
US – California: OEHHA Proposes Second Modification to Proposed Rule for Proposition 65 (Prop 65) Short-Form Warnings
On April 5, 2022, California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) issued a notice proposing additional modifications to its proposal to modify Prop 65 Article 6 Clear and Reasonable Warnings - Short Form. The latest proposal removes the limitation on... More…
U.S. – February 2022 California Proposition 65 – 60-Day Notices Analysis
In February 2022, there were a total of 226 60-day Notices of Violation under Prop 65, a 20% increase from January 2022. 42% of notices were for lead, and 38% for phthalates. Of the reported notices, products under the categories of food accounted for... More…
French AGEC Law Requires Sorting Information and Triman Logo on Textile Articles
The sorting information signage required by the Triman will become mandatory on all textile products, household linens and shoes placed on the French market from February 1, 2023. This new signage is part of the deployment of law n° 2020-105 of February 10, 2020, relating to... More…
U.S. – January 2022 California Proposition 65 – 60-Day Notices Analysis
In January 2022, there were a total of 188 60-day notices for violation of Prop 65. The majority of notices were for lead, accounting for 43 % while phthalates had a total of 54 notices, about 29% of the total number of notices. The remaining 28% were... More…
U.S. – December 2021 California Proposition 65 – 60-Day Notices Analysis
In December 2021, there were a total of 221 60-day notices for violation of Prop 65, down from the 257 notices served in November 2021. Most of the notices were for Phthalates, accounting for 37%. More…
EU REACH – ECHA Announces Addition of 4 SVHCs to Candidate List
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) announced the addition of four new Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs) to the Candidate List. This brings the total number of SVHCs to 223. More…
Canada- Bill 103-Upholstered and Stuffed Articles Law Repealed in Quebec
On December 9, 2021, the National Assembly of Quebec assented to Bill 103, Chapter 35, which repealed Chapter M-5; the Act respecting stuffing and upholstered and stuffed articles. On January 21, 2022, Quebec’s Ministry of Economy and Innovation has also published... More…
Japan – Revise the Designated Term Under the Household Goods Quality labeling Act
Dec 20, 2021, the Consumer Affairs Agency of Japan amended the Household Goods Quality Labeling Act. This amendment relates to the generic names for polyacrylonitrile synthetic fibers which are used in textile product labeling. More…
U.S./California – OEHHA Adds PFNA and Its Salts to Proposition 65 List
December 31, 2021, the California EPA Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment added perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) and its salts to the list of chemicals known to the state to cause male reproductive toxicity under the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, also known as Proposition 65 (Prop 65). More…
U.S. – November 2021 California Proposition 65 – 60-Day Notices Analysis
In November 2021, there were a total of 257 60-day violation notices served for Prop 65, similar to 254 notices served in October 2021. Many of the notices were for Phthalates, which accounts for 51.4 % of notices issued. Lead, registering at nearly 25%... More…
U.S. – California: OEHHA Proposes Further Modification to Proposition 65 (Prop65) Short Form Warnings
California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) issued proposed amendments to Article 6 Clear and Reasonable Warnings - Short Form. After reviewing a total of 160 written comments and 21 oral comments, during the 60-day public comment period, from January 8 through March 29, 2021... More…
Canada – Minister of Environment Issues Survey on 188 BPA and its Alternative Substances
On November 13, 2021, the Canada Minister of Environment under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (the Act) issued notice in the Canada Gazette Part I to collect information on 188 substances, including Bisphenol A (BPA), BPA structural analogues, and.... More…
Canada – Quebec Proposes to Repeal Upholstered and Stuffed Articles Labeling Regulation
The Quebec government has proposed legislation to repeal the Upholstered and Stuffed Articles Act, which requires labeling for various upholstered and stuffed products offered for sale in the province of Quebec. More…
U.S. – California Passes SB 343 Prohibiting Use of Deceptive Recycling Labels
On October 5, 2021, California’s Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill 343 Truth in Labeling for Recyclable Materials (the bill), prohibiting the use of misleading recycling claims on non-recyclable products and packaging. More…
U.S. – September 2021 California Proposition 65 – 60-Day Notices Analysis
In September 2021, there were a total of 249 60-day notices for violation of Prop 65, down from the 335 notices served in August 2021. The majority of the notices were for lead, accounting for 46% while phthalates had a total of 93 notices... More…