Insight Bulletins: Soft Home Furnishings
Malaysia approved a new Order on product quantity labelling
The Malaysia Government approved the Trade Descriptions (Marking of Quantity for Pre-Packaged Goods) Order 2023, which will revoke the Trade Descriptions (Marking of Pre-Packaged Goods) Order 2023. The Trade Descriptions (Marking of Pre-Packaged Goods) Order 2023 just began to be effective on 1 September 2023. More…
U.S. – September 2023 California Proposition 65 – 60-Day Notices Analysis
In September 2023, there were 410 60-day notices for violation of Prop 65. The majority of the notices were for Lead (~48%). Nearly 23% of notices were for the presence of Phthalates, 29% of the notices were for Other Chemicals. 0.04% of the notices were for presence of both Lead and Phthalates. More…
Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/2055 - Update on Restriction of microplastics intentionally added to products
Starting from 17 October 2023, the EU will enforce a new regulation to restrict the use of intentionally added microplastics - tiny synthetic polymer particles that are either used alone or mixed with other substances. The commission is working on a Q&A document that will clarify the details of this regulation... More…
EPA finalized PFAS reporting rule requiring companies to send 12 years of data
EPA PFAS Reporting Rule will require manufacturers, importers of PFAS and PFAS containing articles to report information related to PFAS chemicals used, identity such as CAS #, uses, volume, environmental and health effect, disposal etc. in any year after 2011. More…
EU Adopts the Restriction of Intentionally Added Microplastics to Products under REACH
On September 25th, 2023, the EU Commission published EU 2023/2055, adopting measures to restrict the release of intentionally added microplastics to certain products. These small pieces are called microplastics and they are of concern. More…
Australia - Update Care Labelling Regulation for Clothing and Textiles
Recently, the Australian Government introduced a new mandatory Consumer Goods (Care labelling) Information Standard 2023, which replaces the existing “Consumer Protection Notice Nno 25 of 2010 – Consumer Product Information Standard : Care Labelling for Clothing and Textile Products’”. This new standard became effective on 5 Sept 2023. More…
U.S. – August 2023 California Proposition 65 – 60-Day Notices Analysis
In August 2023, there were 343 60-day notices for violation of Prop 65. The majority of the notices were for Lead (52%). 19% of notices were for the presence of Phthalates, 29% of the notices were for Other Chemicals. More…
U.S. – July 2023 California Proposition 65 – 60-Day Notices Analysis
In July 2023, there were 505 60-day notices for violation of Prop 65. The majority of the notices were for Lead (41%). 19% of notices were for the presence of Phthalates, 40% of the notices were for Other chemicals. More…
Malaysia Approves an Order on Product Labelling
The Malaysia Government has approved the Trade Descriptions (Marking of Pre-Packaged Goods) Order 2023. It shall enter into force on 1 September 2023. More…
EU – Addition of PFHxS, its salts and PFHxS related compounds to EU POPs Regulation
On 8 Aug 2023, the European Commission published Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/1608 to approve the regulation of perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), its salts and PFHxS-related compounds under Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 (POPs Regulation) More…
U.S. – June 2023 California Proposition 65 – 60-Day Notices Analysis
In June 2023, there were 383 60-day notices for violation of Prop 65. The majority of the notices were for Lead (50%). 14% of notices were for the presence of Phthalates, 36% of the notices were for Other chemicals. More…
Government to Modernise Product Safety Laws to Ensure They’re Fit for the Digital Age
The UK government announced on the 2nd August that they are to overhaul the UK’s product safety laws which are over 30 years old in a bid to make them fit for emerging technologies and new shopping habits. More…
U.S. Maine LD 217 law governing PFAS-containing products
In the U.S. state of Maine, LD 214, a law governing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in products, was signed into law on June 8, 2023. The enactment of this law has brought changes to Maine's reporting requirements. The key provisions are outlined as follows... More…
U.S. – May 2023 California Proposition 65 – 60-Day Notices Analysis
In May 2023, there were 371 60-day notices for violation of Prop 65. The majority of the notices were for Lead (56%). 23% of notices were for the presence of Phthalates, 21% of the notices were for Other chemicals. More…
EU REACH – ECHA Adds Two Hazardous Chemicals to Candidate List
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has added two new chemicals to the Candidate List on 14 June 2023. The Candidate List now has 235 entries. More…
![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…