Eurofins | July 2019 regulatory Newsflash compilation | Toys & Childcare
Regulatory updates
Below a summary table with recent regulation proposal notified to European Commission (Non-exhaustive):
|
Notification number |
Countries |
Title |
|
Greece |
Draft Decision on marketing conditions for children’s furniture for sleeping and relevant accompanying equipment.
It establishes the necessary technical requirements and conditions for manufacturing, importing and placing children’s furniture for sleeping (cribs and cradles, children’s cots, bunk beds, high beds and playpens) and relevant accompanying equipment on market. It establishes, in Annex I of the Decision, the list of standards and essential requirements that these products must satisfy and also includes conformity assessment requirements (certificate of conformity issued by conformity assessment body). |
Below a summary table with some recent standards updates and upcoming dates of withdrawal (non-exhaustive):
(*) Date of availability: date when the definitive text in the official language versions of an approved CEN/CENELEC publication is distributed by the Central Secretariat.
|
Reference |
Title |
Date of Availability (*) |
Supersedes |
|
Child care articles - Compiled interpretations of CEN/TC 252 standards. |
2019-05-01 |
New testing method for formaldehyde emission in wood-based materials
The Germany authorities included DIN EN 16516 in German Chemical Prohibition Ordinance (ChemVerbotsV) as one of the reference test methods for determining formaldehyde emission in wood-based materials.
|
Matrix |
Sample preparation |
Test method |
|
Liquid / aqueous Cleaning and household care products.
|
Extraction process |
Test method for liquid matrix: Photometry/HPLC BVL K 84.00-7(EG):1991-09; HPLC (DNPH Methode). |
|
Coated and uncoated wood materials. |
From 1 January 2020, the following testing methods will be applied: |
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|
Reference |
Title |
|
|
Construction products: Assessment of release of dangerous substances - Determination of emissions into indoor air.
Note: Emission measurement in the test chamber. Mean of a double determination from the 28th day as Steady state concentration. Air change 0.5/h, load 1.8 m2/m3; partial narrow-area sealing: circumference / area = 1.5 m-1 |
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Wood-based panels – Determination of formaldehyde release – Part 1: Formaldehyde emission by the chamber method.
Note: Emission measurement in the test chamber; Compensation concentration should be multiplied by a factor of 2. |
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z. B. EN ISO 12460-3 |
Wood-based panels – Determination of formaldehyde release – Part 3: Gas analysis method.
Note: Derived methods are only suitable for production control. For this purpose, a product-related manufacturer correlation is to be determined. |
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Until 31st December 2019 the following testing methods are valid |
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|
Reference |
Title |
|
|
Bundesgesundheitsblatt 34, 10 (1991), pages 488-499. |
Test method for wood-based materials and products manufactured from wood-based materials. |
|
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Wood-based panels – Determination of formaldehyde release – Part 1: Formaldehyde emission by the chamber method. |
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Wood-based panels – Determination of formaldehyde release – Part 3: Gas analysis method. |
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Wood-based panels – Determination of formaldehyde release – Part 5: Extraction method (called the perforator method). |
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Click here for getting the amendment published in Federal Gazette (in German).
CPSC Issues Safety Standard for Stationary Activity Centers
On June 18, 2019, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission published a final rule on Federal Register by adopting safety standard for stationary activity centers (SACs) under Section 104(b) of the CPSIA.
This direct final rule 16 CFR 1238 requires that each SAC shall comply with all applicable provisions of ASTM F2012-18ε1 Standard Consumer Safety Performance Specification for Stationary Activity Centers. This rule also amends the list of notices of requirements in 16 CFR 1112 to include the standard for SACs.
The rule will become effective on December 18, 2019. Please click here for the details.
CPSC Approves New Standard for High Chairs
On 12th June 2019, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) published the approval of the new Federal Safety Standard for high chairs for home and restaurant use.
The new federal safety standard incorporates the most recent voluntary standard developed by ASTM International (ASTM F404-18, Standard Consumer Safety Specification for High Chairs), with no modifications.
The effective date for the new mandatory high chair standard is 12 months after the final rule is published in the Federal Register and applies to products manufactured or imported on or after that date.
Click here for getting the CPSC’s news.
Below a summary table with some recent ASTM standards updates:
|
Reference |
Title |
|
Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Infant Bouncer Seats. |
|
|
Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Expansion Gates and Expandable Enclosures. |
Minnesota Strengthens Flame-retardant Chemicals Law in Certain Products
On May 22, 2019, Minnesota’s governor signed flame retardant bill HF 359 into law which amends Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 325F.071 by expanding the scope of products and flame retardants.
From July 1, 2021, manufacturers or wholesalers are not allowed to manufacture, sell, offer for sale, distribute for sale, or distribute for use in this State a children's product, upholstered residential furniture, residential textile, or mattress that contain any organohalogenated flame retardant exceeding 1,000 parts per million in any product component. The effective date for retailer to observe this ban is July 1, 2022.
The following are exempt from this prohibition:
- The sale or offer for sale of any previously owned product containing a chemical restricted under this section.
- An electronic component of a children’s product, mattress, upholstered residential furniture, or residential textile or associated casing.
- A children’s product, mattress, upholstered residential furniture, or residential textile where a federal flammability standard exists.
- Thread or fiber used for stitching mattress components together.
- Components of an adult mattress other than foam.
This new law also restricts the use of PFAS chemicals in firefighting foams.
For more information click here.
Approval and release of national standards for toys and children’s products
On June 4th 2019, the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) and Standardization Administration of the People’s Republic of China (SAC) approved and released a total of 374 national standards and three new revised national standards under announcement No.7 of 2019.
Some of them are closely related to children, covering stationery, toys and children's products.
Some relevant standards (non-exhaustive list):
|
No. |
Standard No. |
Standard Name |
Implementation Date |
|
1 |
GB/T 37624-2019 |
Stationery and sport products and parts—General requirements on volatile organic compounds (VOC). |
2020-01-01 |
|
2 |
GB/T 37647-2019 |
Toy and children product—General principles for migration test of certain elements. |
2020-01-01 |
|
3 |
GB/T 37651-2019 |
Stationery goods—Safety signs. |
2020-01-01 |
|
4 |
GB/T 37638-2019 |
Determination of polybrominated biphenyls and polybrominated biphenyl ethers in plastic products—High performance liquid chromatography. |
2020-01-01 |
|
5 |
GB/T 37639-2019 |
Determination of polybrominated biphenyls and polybrominated diphenyl ethers in plastic products—Gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. |
2020-01-01 |
|
6 |
GB/T 37545-2019 |
Determination of 38 kinds of permitted colorants in cosmetics—High performance liquid chromatography. |
2020-01-01 |
|
7 |
GB/T 18886-2019 |
Textiles－Tests for colour fastness－Colour fastness to saliva. |
2020-01-01 |
The complete notification can be found here (in Chinese).
Regulatory updates
Below a summary table with some recent regulation proposals notified to World Trade Organization:
|
Notification number |
Countries |
Title |
|
Ecuador |
Draft first revision (1R) of Ecuadorian Technical Regulation PRTE INEN No. 089 "Toy safety".
It establishes the requirements to be met by toys, prior to the marketing of domestic and imported products, with the aim of protecting human health and safety and preventing deceptive practices. It applies to the following products: toys intended for use by children under 14 years of age. |
|
|
Korea |
A draft revision for Supplier's Declaration of Conformity criteria for Umbrella & Parasol for Children.
Definitions and testing methods have been revised in the safety criteria for Umbrella & Parasol for Children. Duplicate sentences have been deleted in the safety criteria for Umbrella & Parasol for Children. |
Below you will find a monthly summary of product recalls and alerts in Europe (Source “RAPEX”) and in the US (Source “CPSC”).
Europe
RAPEX (European Commission Rapid Alert System for dangerous non-food products – Alerts reported by EU national authorities).
The following 33 alerts regarding Childcare articles, equipment and toys have been reported, from week 21 until week 24 of 2019.
|
Type of Risk |
Number of alerts |
Notes |
|
Chemical |
10 |
Phthalates contained: Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP). |
|
Toy with make-up: The make-up in the product contains an excessive amount of chromium VI and nickel. |
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Button cell batteries: easily accessible. Not complying with Toy Safety Directive and standard EN 62115. |
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The toy contains an excessive amount of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), notably benzo[a]anthracene (BaA). |
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Clay: high level of migration of Boron. |
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Choking |
13 |
Small parts. Not complying with EN 71-1. |
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Button cell batteries: easily accessible. Not complying with Toy Safety Directive and standard EN 62115. |
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The toy contains small parts including a magnet with a high magnetic flux. |
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|
Cuts |
1 |
The glass of the cooking/mixing bowl is not strong enough. The user or a child standing close by could get cut by the glass pieces or injured by the accessible blade. |
|
Electric shock |
1 |
Lack of instructions could lead to misuse of the product, causing electric shock. Not complying with EN 62115. |
|
Injuries |
2 |
Children's cot: The gaps between the bars on the side with removable slats are too large which could cause the child’s limb to become trapped. Not complying EN 716. |
|
Baby sling: The structural integrity of the product is inadequate and it can break. |
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|
Environment |
6 |
Solders in the toy contain an excessive amount of lead and cadmium. Not complying with RoHS 2 Directive. |
From 21st May to 20th June 2019, CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) has published the following recalls: 3 recalls regarding Childcare and children’s products.
|
Type of Risk |
Number of recalls |
Notes |
|
Burn Injuries |
2 |
Children’s sleep sacks and children‘s robe and pajama pants fail to meet the flammability standard. |
|
Choking hazard |
1 |
Rain boots: The unicorn horn on the boot can detach. |
