Consumer Products | Monthly bulletin | December 2019

Regulatory news - Eurofins Updates 

Regulatory news

Europe

Standards Updates

Find below a summary table with some recent standards updates and upcoming dates of withdrawal (non-exhaustive):

(*) Date of withdrawal: latest date by which national standards conflicting with an EN (and HD for CENELEC) have to be withdrawn.

Regulatory updates

Find below a summary table with recent regulation proposals notified to European Commission (Non-exhaustive):

Publications regarding E-Cigarettes

Find below a summary table with recent publications from different European countries regarding E-cigarettes:

France

Harmonization of regulatory requirements for some non-food products

On 30^th September 2019, Decree 2019-1007 was published in the French Official Journal. The aim of this Decree is to harmonise various decrees on non-food product safety. The products that are affected by this decree are:

• Nursery articles
• Mobile liquid fuel heating appliances
• Playground equipment
• Bunk beds
• Step ladders - step boards
• Folding chairs of the Chilean - transatlantic - loafer type
• Bedding
• Grinding and cutting discs
• Solid fuel barbecues
• Electronic and chemical alcohol testers

The new Decree modifies Decree 2000-164 on filled bedding items and it has been in effect since 1^st October 2019 with a transition period of one year.

US

CPSC proposes to publish safety standard for infant sleep products

Recently the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has proposed to publish a mandatory standard for infant sleep products incorporating by reference ASTM F 3118-17a, Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Infant Inclined Sleep Products with modifications.

In comparison to the CPSC’s notice of proposed rulemaking (NPR) published in 2017, this supplemental NPR includes limiting the seat back angle for sleeping to 10 degrees or less. The proposal would cover products intended for infant sleep that are not currently covered by regulations regarding bassinets/cradles, cribs (full-size and non-full size), play yards, and bedside sleepers.

Additionally, the Commission proposes to amend 16 CFR 1112 to include notice of requirement for infant sleep products and infant sleep products would be subject to CPSC's consumer registration requirements.

Comments can be submitted by January 27, 2020. Please click here for the details.

CPSC revises safety standards for non-full-size baby cribs and play yards

On October 23, 2019, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) published a direct rule which revises the mandatory standards for non-full-size baby cribs (NFS cribs) and play yards incorporating by reference the most current version ASTM F406-19.

The revised rule 16 CFR 1220 requires that each NFS cribs shall comply with all applicable provisions of ASTM F406-19, Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Non-Full-Size Baby Cribs/Play Yards with some exclusions. And the revised rule 16 CFR 1221 requires that each play yard must comply with all applicable provisions of ASTM F406-19 with some exclusions.

These rules will come into force on January 20, 2020, unless CPSC received a significant number of adverse comments by November 22, 2019. Please click here for more information.

CPSC revises safety standard for toddler beds

On October 25, 2019, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) published a direct final rule which revises the mandatory standards for toddler beds incorporating by reference the most current version ASTM F1821-19^ε1, Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Toddler Beds.

This direct final rule 16 CFR 1217 requires that each toddler bed shall comply with all applicable provisions of ASTM F1821-19^ε1, which was approved June 1, 2019.

The rule will come into effect on January 27, 2020, unless the Commission receives a significant number of adverse comments by November 25, 2019. Please click here for more information.

Standards updates

Find below a summary table with some recent ASTM standards updates:

US – Vermont

Vermont proposes to expand formaldehyde’s definition in CHCC reporting rule

Vermont’s chemical of high concern (CHCC) reporting rule now requires manufacturers of children’s products to provide notice to the Department of Health annually in case their product contains CHCC above the threshold.

On October 30, 2019, the state of Vermont published a proposed rule which expands the definition of formaldehyde to include “formaldehyde donors”, which are the substances that are intentionally added to a product to degrade to and release formaldehyde as a preservative. 

Comments may be submitted by December 11, 2019.

Please click here for more information.

US – California

California proposes list PFAS-containing textile treatments as priority product

Recently California’s DTSC proposed to list treatments containing perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances for use on converted textiles or leathers such as carpets, upholstery, clothing and shoes, as Priority Products.

PFASs are part of a class of chemicals composed of highly stable carbon-fluorine bonds and which can be used in many ways. Exposure to PFASs can increase the risk of suffering from adverse health effects such as increased serum cholesterol and immune dysregulation. Treatment for converted textiles or leathers is a significant source of PFAS exposure to humans. Based on these, DTSC proposes to list PFAS-containing Textile or leather treatments as Priority Product.

Comments can be submitted by December 31, 2019. Please click here for more information.

US – New York

Labelling requirements for menstrual products

On 11^th October 2019, legislations S.2387-B / A.164-B were signed by New York Governor in which indicate that each package or box of menstrual products must contain the list of all ingredients, by order of predominance, printed on the package or affixed thereto.

South Korea

Technical national standard for plastic products

On 29^th October 2019, The Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS) published the technical national standard Nº 2019-352 in which the Annex 24 – “plastic products” is added to “Household Goods Subject to Safety Standards.” 

Below a summary table with the main points:

Note: Please note that the website is available in Korean language only.

International

Upcoming dates of application

As a reminder, below you will find a summary of standards and legislation that will apply starting within the next six months:

• Legislation:
  
  Manufacturers and importers should carefully consider these coming dates of application and confirm that their products comply with these restrictions:

• • US: New Hampshire- SB193 Flame retardants ban in furniture and carpeting.
    
    Brief description:
    
    This legislation bans the sale or import of upholstered furniture containing in its fabric, other covering or in its cushioning materials more than 0.1 percent of a flame-retardant chemical or more than 0.1 percent of a mixture that includes flame-retardant chemicals.
    
    This bill also requires manufacturers of upholstered furniture to have a certificate of Compliance according to this requirement to submit to the authorities in a period of 30 days from its request.
    
    It will start applying on 1^st January 2020.

• • Autralia: Consumer Goods (Children’s Nightwear and limited Daywear and Paper Patterns for Children’s Nightwear) Safety Standard 2017.
    
    Brief description:
    
    The mandatory standard applies to nightwear for children (sizes 00–14 unless stated otherwise), including the following items:
    
    
    • Pyjamas (whether sold as top and bottom together or nightwear separates)
    • Size 3 - 14 knitted nightwear all-in-ones
    • Size 00 - 14 woven nightwear all-in-ones
    • Predominantly knitted all-in-one garments in the size range size 00-2 made from fabrics that have a pile or nap, or include fabrics with a pile or nap
    • Nightdresses and nighties
    • Nightshirts
    • Dressing gowns
    • Bathrobes
    • Boxer shorts of a loose style commonly used as nightwear
    • Infant sleeping bags with sleeves or arm openings
    • Blankets & towels that incorporate a sleeve or arm opening

• • The mandatory standard also covers paper patterns for making children's nightwear. The mandatory standard prescribes requirements for safety testing and labelling of children's nightwear and paper patterns for making children's nightwear.
    
    It will start applying on 1^st January 2020.

• • Turkey: Regulation on Persistent Organic Pollutants - POP (Official Gazette: 30595).
    
    Brief description:
    
    The use of hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) (listed in Annex 2), either on its own or in a mixture, in the manufacture of expanded polystyrene articles and for this purpose is permitted until 28.11.2019. The introduction and use of expanded polystyrene articles containing Hexabromocyclododecane as constituent and produced in accordance with this exemption is permitted for up to 6 months from the date on which this exemption expires.  Items that have already been used up to this date can still be used.
    
    The regulation will start applying on 28^th November 2019.

Eurofins Updates

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Eurofins Testing Technology Shenzhen expands its accreditation Scope

The Eurofins Testing Technology Shenzhen laboratory has expanded its ISO/IEC 17025 scope by adding new standards and tests related to textiles, leather and footwear to their wide accreditation scope.

Eurofins Shenzhen offers a comprehensive service portfolio that covers industries and products related to Toys, Childcare, Food Packaging, Cosmetics, Electrical and Electronics, Textiles, Footwear and Leather goods.