Toys & Hardlines regulatory updates 07-2022
On 29 June 2022, the new version of “Blue Guide” was published, a “Guide to the application of the directives drawn up on the basis of the provisions of the new approach and the global approach”.
The following table summarises the most recent standard updates and upcoming dates of withdrawal (non-exhaustive).
Technical publications regarding Toys
The latest publications by several entities related to consumer products and circular economy include.
Updated standards list for toys
On 3 August 2022, The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy issued a notice of proposal to publish no. 0063/22 providing new designated standards in support of the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/1881).
On 1 April 2022, the plastic packaging tax came into force in the UK. This new tax applies to plastic packaging components designed to contain, protect, handle, present and /or deliver goods.
CPSC updates safety standard for infant bathtubs
On 24 June 2022, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a direct final rule (16 CFR 1234) to update the mandatory Safety Standard for Infant Bath Tubs. The final rule incorporates the latest version of ASTM F2670-22, Standard Consumer Safety Specifications for Infant Bath Tubs, with no modifications.
CPSC updates safety standard for high chairs
On 18 July 2022, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a final rule (16 CFR 1231) to update the mandatory Safety Standard for High Chairs. The final rule incorporates the latest version of ASTM F404-21, Standard Consumer Safety Specifications for High Chairs, with no modifications.
Hawaii has recently approved HB 1644 to prohibit the manufacture, sale, distribution, and use of the following products containing PFAS chemicals.
Rhode Island passes new PFAS law
Rhode Island has recently signed 2022 H 7438 A to prohibit the sale and distribution of food packaging that contains intentionally added PFAS substances, effective 1 January 2024.
California signs Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act
On 30 June 2022, the State of California signed into law SB 54 to establish the Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act. The new Act will require that certain single-use packaging and single-use plastic food service ware (“covered material”) offered for sale, distributed, or imported into California is recyclable in the state or eligible for being labelled “compostable” by 1 January 2032. The covered material must also meet specified recycling rates by specific time periods.
Canada amends 5 regulations under the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA)
Canada has recently issued SOR/2022-122 ‘Regulations Amending Certain Regulations Made Under the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act (Surface Coating Materials)’. Under SOR/2022-122, the following regulations made under the CCPSA that set requirements for applied coating materials are amended.
Canada prohibits certain single-use plastics
Canada has recently issued SOR/2022-138 ‘Single-use Plastics Prohibition Regulations’ to prohibit the following products with different enforcement dates.
China approves 3 amendments to mandatory national toy standards
China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) issued Announcement No. 9 of 2022 on 13 July 2022, approving 3 amendments to mandatory national standards for toys.
Vietnam enforces new product labelling rules
Vietnam’s new product labelling rule, Decree No. 111/2021/ND-CP, went into effect on 15 February 2022, replacing Decree No. 43/2017/ND-CP. Under the new rule, consumer goods must contain the following mandatory labelling information.
Regulatory proposals notified to WTO
The table below summarises the most recent notifications made to the World Trade Organization (WTO) (non-exhaustive).
Europe
RAPEX (European Commission Rapid Alert System for dangerous non-food products – Alerts reported by EU national authorities).
UK
OPSS issues Product Safety Alerts on the UK market. The following 5 alerts regarding toys and childcare products were reported between week 25 and week 28 of 2022.
U.S.
From 23 June 2022 to 21 July 2022, the CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) published the following recalls.
