Consumer Products | Monthly bulletin | November 2022

 

Chemical  |  Cosmetics & Personal Care  |  Softlines & Leather  |  Toys, Childcare & Hardlines   |  PPE

 

 

Chemical

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Europe

 

ECHA has launched public consultation on MCCP restriction proposal

 

The European Chemicals Agency has recently launched a public consultation on its proposal to restrict medium-chain chlorinated paraffin (MCCP) and other substances that contain chloroalkanes with carbon chain lengths from C14 to C17 (CA:C14-17) under REACH Annex XVII.

 

Substances containing CA:C14-17 are used in a broad range of applications. Some of the main uses are: flame retardant and plasticizer in PVC, adhesive and sealants, rubbers and paints and coatings; used in fatliquors in the processing of leather (re-greasing of leather) as softening, leather resistance and waterproofness agents; within other uses….

 

Two Restriction entries have been proposed in this dossier:

 

• Option A: a ban on manufacturing and placing on the market substances, mixtures and articles containing more than 0.1% of CA:C14-17 with PBT and/or vPvB properties. The ban would apply after a two-year transition period.
• Option B: a ban on solely placing on the market substances, mixtures and articles containing more than 0.1% of CA:C14-17 with PBT and/or vPvB properties. The ban would apply after a two-year transition period, except for metalworking fluids where either a longer transition period (7 years) or a derogation could be considered depending on the information submitted during the Annex XV consultation.

The consultation on this proposed restriction started on 21/09/2022 and ends on 22/03/2023

 

¹ ‘CA:C14-17’ refers to ‘the congeners/congener groups of chloroalkanes with carbon chain lengths within the range from C14 to C17’

 

More information on ECHA’s website here.

 

Additional recent updates regarding REACH Regulation

 

The following table provides a summary of some recent updates (non-exhaustive) regarding REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006:

 

Summary of the most recent updates
Date	Subject	Link
19/10/2022	Changes to market volumes of chemicals subject to authorisation in 2010-21. The report takes a deeper look at the substances of very high concern (SVHCs) for which companies applied for authorisation during 2010-2021. For example, the production and import of five phthalates (BBP, DBP, DIBP, DEHP and diisopentyl phthalates) and trichloroethylene is estimated to have decreased by more than 90 % in roughly a decade.	More information on ECHA’s website here.
31/10/2022	Call for evidence on skin sensitisers in consumer mixtures. This call for evidence consultation was extended until 31 October 2022. It was issued by the Competent Authorities of Denmark, France, Germany, and Ireland, and is an opportunity for all sectors to provide information on the presence of skin sensitising substances in mixtures for consumer uses, including information on known safe usage.	More information on ECHA’s website here.

 

Other interesting links about REACH from the ECHA’s website

 

• Registry of restriction intentions until outcome - ECHA (europa.eu)
• Registry of SVHC intentions until outcome - ECHA (europa.eu)
• Substance evaluation - CoRAP - ECHA (europa.eu)
• Adopted opinions and previous consultations on applications for authorisation - ECHA (europa.eu)
• Applications for authorisation - current consultations - ECHA (europa.eu)
• Current calls for comments and evidence - ECHA (europa.eu)
• Authorisation List - ECHA (europa.eu)
• ECHA's completed activities on restriction
• Submitted restrictions under consideration
• Assessment of regulatory needs list

 

CLP Draft amendment to introduce new hazard classes

 

On 21^st September 2022, the European Commission published Draft Commission Delegated Regulation EU amending Regulation No 1272/2008 as regards hazard classes and criteria for the classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures. (G/TBT/N/EU/926).

 

Amendment of EU classification and labelling rules for chemicals to introduce new hazard classes for endocrine disruptors (ED) for human health and the environment as well as for other environmental hazards, namely persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT), very persistent and very bioaccumulative (vPvB), persistent, mobile and toxic (PMT), very persistent and very mobile (vPvB) substances and mixtures.

 

Other interesting links about CLP from the ECHA’s website

 

• Registry of CLH intentions until outcome - ECHA (europa.eu)
• Harmonised classification and labelling consultations - ECHA (europa.eu)

 

Public European Initiatives

 

The latest consultations by the European Commission related to chemicals:

 

Date	Publication
30/09/2022	European Critical Raw Materials Act To achieve the green and digital transitions, the EU must significantly increase and diversify its critical raw materials supply, strengthen circularity and support research and innovation. This initiative will aim to reinforce EU monitoring capacities and strengthen both the EU value chain – through the identification of mineral resources and raw materials projects in the EU's strategic interest, with strong environmental protection – and EU external policies on CRMs.
04/10/2022	Electrical equipment – mercury in melt pressure transducers for specific capillary rheometers (RoHS exemption) This initiative concerns a request for an exemption for mercury in melt pressure transducers for capillary rheometers under extreme conditions used as monitoring and control instruments (in preparation).
04/10/2022	Electrical equipment – lead in polyvinyl chloride for sensors used in diagnostic medical devices (RoHS exemption) This initiative concerns a request for an exemption for lead in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) used a base material in sensors which are used in in-vitro diagnostic medical devices (in preparation).
06/10/2022	Waste from electrical and electronic equipment – evaluating the EU rules The 2012 Directive on waste from electrical and electronic equipment protects the environment and human health, contributes to sustainable production and consumption, and ensures efficient use of resources by preventing and recovering waste. This initiative will evaluate the progress made under the Directive. It will assess whether the objectives are met and to what extent the Directive supports a circular economy and environmentally sound management of waste for electrical electronic equipment.

 

POPs Review Committee meeting

 

In September 2022, the eighteenth meeting of the POPs Review Committee of the Stockholm Convention took place.

 

The POPs Review Committee evaluates the proposals and makes recommendations to the Conference of the Parties on such listing in accordance with Article 8 of the Convention.

 

Currently, the following chemicals are under review:

 

• Dechlorane Plus: Draft risk management evaluation.
• UV-328: Draft risk management evaluation.
• Chlorpyrifos: Draft risk profile.
• Chlorinated paraffins with carbon chain lengths in the range C14-17 and chlorination levels at or exceeding 45 per cent chlorine by weight: Draft risk profile.
• Long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (LC-PFCAs), their salts and related compounds: Draft risk profile.

The Committee will also consider draft reports on information related to specific exemptions for decabromodiphenyl ether and short-chain chlorinated paraffins; draft assessment of alternatives to perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, its salts and perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride; and a draft document on long-range environmental transport.

 

For more information, consult the Stockholm Convention‘s website here.

 

Miscellaneous technical publications relating to food contact materials

 

The latest publications in relation to food contact materials are summarised in the table below:

 

Date	Country/ Region	Entity	Publication
19/10/2022	Ukraine	Ministry of Economy of Ukraine	Draft Order "On approval of the Technical Regulation relating to crystal glass". (G/TBT/N/UKR/232) The draft order approves the Technical Regulation that establishes requirements for the composition, characteristics and labeling of crystal glass products placed on the market in Ukraine. The Technical Regulation is based on Council Directive 69/493/EEC of 15 December 1969 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to crystal glass.
05/10/2022	Europe	European Commission	Public consultation: Revision of EU rules on food contact materials
21/09/2022	Europe	European Commission	Corrigendum to Commission Regulation (EU) 2022/1616 of 15 September 2022 on recycled plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with foods, and repealing Regulation (EC) No 282/2008.

 

France

 

Closure at SYNAPSE poison centre

 

On 1^st January 2023, The DECLARATION-SYNAPSE tool will be officially closed.

 

Consequently, all declarations of hazardous mixtures and biocidal products placed on the market in France must be made via the European portal for notifications to poison control centers (PCN) from the closure date.

 

No new declarations will be accepted, but the "Declaration-Synapse" portal will remain accessible, for consultation only, until June 30, 2023 for declarants with a valid certificate. Previously submitted declarations will remain valid and no re-submission will be required in PCN (except updates).

 

Technical publications

 

Recent publications by ANSES (French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety) related to consumer products include:

 

Date	Publication
15/09/2022	School supplies: the great vagueness of chemical substances School supplies are not subject to any specific regulations regarding their composition, manufacture or use. ANSES has therefore produced a summary of the available literature concerning the chemical substances present in or emitted by school and office supplies.

 

US

 

California Passes New PFAS in Cosmetics Regulation

 

In 2020, California passed a legislation to ban the use of 13 specified PFAS substances in cosmetic products beginning in January 1^st, 2025. On September 29^th, 2022, California approved Assembly Bill No. 2771 to ban cosmetic products containing any intentionally added PFAS substances beginning in January 1^st, 2025.

 

Under the new regulation, the following terms have the following definitions:

 

A “Cosmetic product” means an article for retail sale or professional use intended to be rubbed, poured, sprinkled, or sprayed on, introduced into, or otherwise applied to the human body for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering the appearance.

 

“Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances” or “PFAS” means a class of fluorinated organic chemicals containing at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom.

 

“Intentionally added PFAS” means either of the following:

 

(1) PFAS chemicals that a manufacturer has intentionally added to a product and that have a functional or technical effect on the product.

 

(2) PFAS chemicals that are intentional breakdown products of an added chemical.

 

US EPA Proposes to Update Voluntary Consensus Standards for Composite Wood Products

 

On March 29^th, 2022, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed to update several voluntary consensus standards in the EPA’s formaldehyde standards for composite wood products regulations under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). On September 20^th, 2022, the EPA proposed to update the incorporation by reference of two additional voluntary consensus standards in the formaldehyde standards for composite wood products regulations to reflect the most recent editions. The EPA accepted comments for the addition of the following standards until October 20^th, 2022:

 

• ANSI A208.1-2022 Particleboard
• ANSI A208.2-2022 Medium Density Fiberboard

Please click here to see the proposed rulemaking in the Federal Register.

 

India

 

India Amends Food Contact Materials Regulation

 

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has recently issued the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Second Amendment Regulations, 2022 to add 2 new chemicals to its requirement list for specific migration limits in plastic food contact materials. With the addition of antimony and DEHP, the number of substances with migration limits will be expanded to 9 chemicals. Please see Table 1 below to see the full list of specific migration limits of substances from plastic food contact materials. 

 

Table 1: Requirement for specific migration limits of substances from plastic materials intended to be in contact with articles of food.

 

Substance	Maximum Migration Limit (mg/kg)
Barium	1.0
Cobalt	0.05
Copper	5.0
Iron	48.0
Lithium	0.6
Manganese	0.6
Zinc	25.0
Antimony	0.04
Phthalic acid, bis (2-ethylhexyl) ester (DEHP)	1.5

 

Thailand

 

Thailand to Require Mandatory Standards for Synthetic Dyes

 

Thailand has recently issued a Ministerial Regulation to require the synthetic dye product industry to comply with one of five TIS standards. The new regulation will become effective on August 19^th, 2023. Please see Table 1 below for the list of mandatory standards.

 

Standard	Title
TIS 739-2563 (2020)	Synthetic Dyestuffs: Direct Dye
TIS 740-2563 (2020)	Synthetic Dyestuffs: Reactive Dye
TIS 760-2563 (2020)	Synthetic Dyestuffs: Vat Dye
TIS 2344-2563 (2020)	Synthetic Dyestuffs: Sulfur Dye
TIS 2532-2563 (2020)	Synthetic Dyestuffs: Acid Dye

 

Taiwan

 

Taiwan Prohibits Asbestos Containing Products

 

The Environmental Protection Agency of Taiwan has recently issued Circular No. 1111111106 to prohibit the import of products containing asbestos, effective May 1^st, 2023. The prohibition will not apply to the following products:

 

• Necessary for the protection of the civilians and military purposes
• For research, experimentation and educational purposes
• Suitable alternatives to products that do not contain asbestos as ingredients cannot be obtained.

 

New Zealand

 

Plastic products banned

 

The New Zealand government is banning certain hard-to-recycle plastics and will phase out six single-use items over the next four years. This marks the beginning of New Zealand’s move towards a low waste and circular economy. Below, is a summary table outlining the three main tranches of the country’s fight against plastics:

 

Date	Tranche	Banned plastic products
01/10/2022	1	PVC food trays and containers* (plastic type #3) Polystyrene takeaway food and drink packaging (plastic type #6) Expanded polystyrene food and drink packaging (plastic type #6) Plastic with pro-degradant additives, eg oxo and photo degradable plastics (subset of plastic type #7) Plastic drink stirrers (all plastic types) Plastic stemmed cotton buds (all plastic types) *The scope is limited to pre-formed trays used for produce, baked goods and meat.
Mid-2023	2	Single-use plastic items: Plastic produce bags Plastic plates, bowls and cutlery Plastic straws* Plastic produce labels** *Plastic straws will be available for disabled people and medical use ** See this website for further information on scope.
Mid-2025	3	All other PVC and polystyrene food and drink packaging.

 

For more information, consult guidance from the New Zealand Ministry for the Environment here.

 

 

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Cosmetics & Personal Care

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Nutritional Impact on Hair and Scalp

 

Healthy hair is a good indicator of general wellbeing. Hair integrity, growth and function has a significant correlation with the quality and quantity of nutrition being delivered to both the scalp and the hair follicle. 

 

Healthy hair is not only about the hair itself, but also the follicle, sebaceous gland, and overall health of the skin.

 

Studies investigating the effects of oral supplements containing relatively high doses of vitamins, trace minerals, and fatty acids have indicated that dietary factors may modulate both scalp and hair health. 

 

A variety of analytical techniques can be used to assess the benefits of nutritional supplements. 

 

Hair growth, reduced shedding, and improvements in hair diameter all are directly linked to supporting the anagen phase of the cell cycle and can be measured using global hair counts, image analysis of individual hairs, and length analysis. 

 

Methods to evaluate the qualitative aesthetics of hair, such as shine, frizz, colour and moisture, can also be measured instrumentally, as well as subjectively through expert and self-assessment surveys.

 

Through its network of 19 laboratories specialised in hair testing, the Eurofins Cosmetics & Personal Care network offers the latest testing facilities and techniques for determining the efficacy of haircare, supporting products claims and competitive benchmarking.

 

Cosmetic products for babies 

 

From birth, babies quickly become exposed to many chemical substances, often through the use of cosmetic products. On average, caregivers use seven cosmetic products per day for a child aged 0 to 3 years. It is therefore crucial to evaluate the safety of these products according to the specific characteristics of babies and their skin.

 

A baby's skin changes gradually after birth. Due to its neutral pH, pathogen development is a particular risk. The hydration and physiological structure of the skin also varies, depending on age. All of these factors influence the skin's function as a protective barrier.

 

The skin on a baby’s bottom is also quite particular. This area has a higher pH, and combined with the high level of humidity when wearing a diaper, this leads to a high risk of bacterial infection, making the skin fragile. Contact with a mixture of urine and faeces, as well as the occlusion of this environment, can cause strong irritation and an increased risk of substances being absorbed through the skin. This necessitates a specific risk assessment for cosmetic products applies to this area.

 

Cosmetic products, especially those for babies, must meet stricter requirements in terms of formulation, presentation, and claims. The safety assessor therefore has a key role in advising, supporting, and evaluating cosmetic products intended for this target population.

 

The Eurotox Toxicologists team has a strong industrial background and extensive expertise in the complexity of products for babies, and will offer you personalised support for your cosmetic products compliance procedures by working closely with all the relevant departments.

 

 

A new re-innervated skin model to assess the efficacy of cosmetic products 

 

Pruritus is an unpleasant sensation. It can lead to scratching and participating in the manifestation of inflammatory skin pathologies that are quite debilitating. It is often associated with a deregulation of neuro-cutaneous interactions in the frame of sensitive skin.

 

In partnership with one of the world research leaders in the characterization of neuro-cutaneous system, the laboratory UBO of Bretagne Occidentale, Eurofins Bio-EC is developing a totally humanized ex vivo model based on re-innervated human skin.

 

This new model mimics sensitive skin and it allows the efficacy of soothing cosmetic products intended for this type of skin to be evaluated.

 

It integrates neurons which are differentiated from skin-derived precursors (SKPs) stem cells of human origin and human skin explants.

 

In this context, the NERVESKIN project aims to facilitate the development of new classes of soothing cosmetic products for sensitive skin, based on natural plant extract.

 

This innovation allowed Eurofins Bio-EC laboratory to win the Cosmetic 360 award 2022 in the category of tests and analyses during the Cosmetic 360 exhibition, which took place in Paris in October.

 

 

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Softlines & Leather

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Europe

 

Standards updates

 

The following table summarises the most recent standard updates and upcoming dates of withdrawal (non-exhaustive):

 

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

 

CEN
Reference	Title	Date of withdrawal (*)	Supersedes
EN ISO 15701:2022	Leather - Tests for colour fastness - Colour fastness to migration into polymeric material (ISO 15701:2022)	2023-02-28	EN ISO 15701:2015
EN ISO 17072-2:2022	Leather - Chemical determination of metal content - Part 2: Total metal content (ISO 17072-2:2022)	2023-03-31	EN ISO 17072-2:2019
EN ISO 20535:2022	Footwear - Test method for insoles and insocks - Dimensional change after cycle of wetting and drying (ISO 20535:2019)	2023-02-28
EN 17681-2:2022	Textiles and textile products - Organic fluorine - Part 2: Determination of volatile compounds by extraction method using gas chromatography	2023-03-31
EN 17681-1:2022	Textiles and textile products - Organic fluorine - Part 1: Determination of non-volatile compounds by extraction method using liquid chromatography	2023-03-31

 

European Parliament resolution regarding genetically modified cotton

 

Recent publications by European Commission related to the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified cotton:

 

Date	Publication
06/09/2022	European Parliament resolution of 15 February 2022 on the draft Commission implemented the renewal of the authorization to place products containing, consisting of, or produced from genetically modified cotton GHB614 (BCS-GHØØ2-5) on the market, pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (D076839/01 — 2021/3006(RSP))
09/09/2022	European Parliament resolution of 9 March 2022 on the draft Commission implemented the renewal of the authorization to place products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified cotton GHB811 (BCS-GH811-4) on the market, pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (D077486/02 — 2021/3057(RSP))

 

France

 

Draft new specifications for the extended responsibility sector of producers of textiles, footwear and household linen.

 

On 28^th September 2022, the French Ministry of Ecological Transition opened the following public consultation until 26^th October 2022:

 

Draft decree on the specifications of the eco-organizations and individual systems of the sector of extended responsibility of the producers of textiles, footwear and household linen (TLC).

 

The draft order includes five articles and three appendices, the first concerning the provisions of the specifications for eco-organisations, the second the specifications for individual systems, and the third listing the sustainability criteria used for establishing premiums backed by producer contributions.

 

This consultation has the following objectives:

 

• Provide bonuses for products that protect the planet: designed to be more sustainable, more environmentally friendly and remanufactured from recycled textiles;
• Reduce the cost of repairing textiles to make them last longer;
• Develop new solutions for the collection of used textiles, particularly in small towns and rural areas, to give them a second life;
• Finance the classification and repair of textiles to give them a second life;
• Establish a French sector for the recycling of non-reusable textiles to remanufacture textiles without depleting our resources.

At the end of the consultation, the new specifications will be presented and implemented from 2023 for a period of six years.

 

UK

 

Ban on the importation of cat and dog fur

 

On 27^th September 2022, The UK Secretary of State published the following statutory instrument:

 

The Cat and Dog Fur (Control of Movement etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022 No 1005).

 

It amends the retained EU legislation, Regulation (EC) No 1523/2007, which bans the placing cat and dog fur, and products containing such fur, from being placed on the market, imported or exported.

 

This new regulation will ensure that the UK will continue to ban the import of cat and dog fur following its exit from the European Union. However, these regulations will only apply to on goods explicitly sold as cat and dog fur, and do not address the problem of cat fur being imported and sold as ‘faux fur’ in poorly labelled goods.

 

Thailand

 

Thailand to Require Mandatory Standards for Synthetic Dyes

 

Thailand has recently issued a Ministerial Regulation to require the synthetic dye product industry to comply with one of five TIS standards. The new regulation will become effective on August 19th, 2023. Please see Table 1 below for the list of mandatory standards.

 

Standard	Title
TIS 739-2563 (2020)	Synthetic Dyestuffs: Direct Dye
TIS 740-2563 (2020)	Synthetic Dyestuffs: Reactive Dye
TIS 760-2563 (2020)	Synthetic Dyestuffs: Vat Dye
TIS 2344-2563 (2020)	Synthetic Dyestuffs: Sulfur Dye
TIS 2532-2563 (2020)	Synthetic Dyestuffs: Acid Dye

 

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Toys, Childcare & Hardlines

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Europe

 

European forced labour products ban proposal

 

On 19^th September 2022, the European Commission opened a public consultation related to the draft European regulation on prohibiting products made through forced labour (COM(2022)453 final) until 30^th November 2022.

 

The objective of this proposal is to effectively prohibit the placing and making available on the EU market, and the export from the EU of products, made through forced labour, including forced child labour. The prohibition covers domestically produced and imported products.

 

The specific provisions of this proposal are:

 

Chapter I contains the general provisions, i.e. the subject matter, definitions and the prohibition of products made through forced labour, namely making them available on the EU market and exporting them.

 

Chapter II - Member States will be required to designate one or more competent authorities responsible for carrying out the obligations arising from this proposal.

 

Chapter III - Includes provisions for customs controls.

 

Chapter IV- Contains provisions on information systems, on the guidelines that the Commission will have to issue in order to help competent authorities implement this proposed regulation and economic operators comply with it.

 

Chapter V sets out the final provisions: on confidentiality, international cooperation, delegated acts, urgency procedure, committee procedure, penalties and the entry into force and date of application of this proposed regulation.

 

For more information, consult the European published initiatives here.

 

European Standards related to GPSD in development

 

On 27th September 2022, the CEN and CENELEC Consumer Safety Network (CSN) meeting was held. CSN is an Expert group composed of member states’ representatives that assists the European Commission in the implementation of Directive 2001/95/EC on General Product Safety (GPSD).

 

At this moment , the CSN is working on the draft Commission Decision ‘Safety requirements’ related to The COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING DECISION (EU)2022/1401, which amends the Implementing Decision (EU) 2019/1698 as regards European standards for certain child care items, children’s furniture, gymnastic equipment, lighters, and information and communication technology equipment. After three years of preparatory work, it has now reached the penultimate step of the ‘scrutiny period’ of three months before the planned adoption in Q1 2023.

 

European Standards in development include:

 

M/264 Consumer safety – childcare articles
FprEN 12790-1	Childcare articles - Reclined cradles - Part 1: Reclined cradles for children up to when they start to try to sit up
FprEN 12790-2	Childcare articles - Reclined cradles - Part 2: Reclined cradles for children up to when they start to stand up
prEN 12586	Childcare articles - Soother holder - Safety requirements and test methods
prEN 1466	Child use and care articles - Carry cots and stands - Safety requirements and test methods
prEN 17826	Childcare articles - Chemical hazards - Requirements and test methods
WI 00252138	Childcare articles – Safety requirements and test methods for children’s bedguards for domestic use
M/285 Ladders
prEN 131-8	Ladders - Part 8: Ladders with separate platform
EN 131-4:2020/prA1	Ladders - Part 4: Single or multiple hinge-joint ladders
M/309 Drawstrings children's clothing
prEN 14682 rev	Safety of children's clothing - Cords and drawstrings on children's clothing - Specifications
M/372 Floating leisure products
prEN ISO 25649-1 rev	Floating leisure articles for use on and in the water - Part 1: Classification, materials, general requirements and test methods
prEN ISO 25649-2 rev	Floating leisure articles for use on and in the water - Part 2: Consumer information
prEN ISO 25649-3 rev	Floating leisure articles for use on and in the water - Part 3: Additional specific safety requirements and test methods for Class A devices
prEN ISO 25649-4 rev	Floating leisure articles for use on and in the water - Part 4: Additional specific safety requirements and test methods for Class B devices
prEN ISO 25649-5 rev	Floating leisure articles for use on and in the water - Part 5: Additional specific safety requirements and test methods for Class C devices
prEN ISO 25649-6 rev	Floating leisure articles for use on and in the water - Part 6: Additional specific safety requirements and test methods for Class D devices
prEN ISO 25649-7 rev	Floating leisure articles for use on and in the water - Part 7: Additional specific safety requirements and test methods for Class E devices
M/452 Safety of music players
prEN IEC 62368-1:2022	Audio/video, information and communication technology equipment - Part 1: Safety requirements
prEN IEC 62368- 1:2022/prAA:2022	Audio/video, information and communication technology equipment - Part 1: Safety requirements
M/464 Childcare articles - Cluster 1 (drowning risks), bath rings, bathing aids, bathtubs and stands
EN 17072:2018/prA1	Childcare articles - Bath tubs, stands and non-standalone bathing aids - Safety requirements and test methods
M/506 Stationary training equipment
prEN ISO 20957-1 rev	Stationary training equipment - Part 1: General safety requirements and test methods
prEN ISO 20957-2	Stationary training equipment - Part 2: Strength training equipment, additional specific safety requirements and test methods
prEN ISO 20957-7	Stationary training equipment - Part 7: Rowing equipment, additional specific safety requirements and test methods
M/508 Bicycles, Bicycles for Children and Luggage Carriers
Rev EN ISO 11243	Cycles - Luggage carriers for bicycles - Requirements and test methods
M/527 Children seats
EN 14988:2017+ A1:2020/prA2	Children's high chairs - Requirements and test methods
M/538 Alcohol-powered flueless fireplaces
prEN 16647-1	Alcohol powered flueless fireplaces – Safety requirements and test methods- Part 1: Manually operated decorative fireplaces for domestic use

 

Standards updates

 

The following table summarises the most recent standard updates and upcoming dates of withdrawal (non-exhaustive):

 

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

 

(**) Date of announcement: the latest date by which the existence of an EN (and HD for CENELEC), a TS or a CWA has to be announced at national level.

 

Standards related to food contact materials:

 

CEN
Reference	Title	Date of withdrawal (*)	Supersedes
EN 1186-3:2022	Materials and articles in contact with foodstuffs - Plastics - Part 3: Test methods for overall migration in evaporable simulants	2023-02-28	EN 1186-9:2002 EN 1186-7:2002 EN 1186-5:2002 EN 1186-3:2002 EN 1186-15:2002 EN 1186-14:2002
EN 13045:2022	Packaging - Flexible cylindrical plastic tubes - Dimensions and tolerances	2023-02-28	EN 13045:2009
EN ISO 8291:2022	Vitreous and porcelain enamels - Method of test of self-cleaning properties (ISO 8291:1986)	2023-03-31
Reference	Title	Date of announcement (**)	Supersedes
CEN/TS 17830:2022	Paper and board - Guidance on the application of Term 2.2 "Prohibited materials" of EN 643:2014	2022-11-30

 

Standards related to consumer products:

 

CEN
Reference	Title	Date of withdrawal (*)	Supersedes
EN 17645:2022	Domestic swimming pools - Environmental performance efficiency - Performance evaluation, methodology, and classification of the use of outdoor pools and their equipment	2023-02-28
EN ISO 16474-2:2013/A1:2022	Paints and varnishes - Methods of exposure to laboratory light sources - Part 2: Xenon-arc lamps - Amendment 1: Classification of daylight filters (ISO 16474-2:2013/Amd 1:2022)	2023-03-31
EN ISO 12625-4:2022	Tissue paper and tissue products - Part 4: Determination of tensile strength, stretch at maximum force and tensile energy absorption (ISO 12625-4:2022)	2023-03-31	EN ISO 12625-4:2016

 

Tethered caps for beverage containers

 

In May 2019, the European Commission published the Directive (EU) 2019/904 on the reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment. It states, in article 6, that beverage containers, caps and lids made out of plastic may be placed on the market only if the caps and lids remain attached to the containers throughout the products’ intended use. The Commission requested that the European standardisation organization (CEN) develops harmonised standards relating to this requirement.

 

On 7^th September 2022, CEN published the standard EN 17665:2022 related to packaging and plastic caps and lids to remain attached to beverage containers.

 

This document specifies the requirements and test methods to demonstrate that plastic caps and lids of single-use beverage containers with a capacity of up to three litres remain attached to the container during the product’s intended use. This document also addresses the need to ensure the necessary strength, reliability and safety of beverage container closures, including those for carbonated drinks. This document applies to the strength, reliability and safety impacted by the attachment features and does not apply to the overall closure system.

 

Tethered caps will become mandatory in the EU in July 2024.

 

Miscellaneous technical publications relating to food contact materials

 

The latest publications in relation to food contact materials are summarised in the table below:

 

Date	Country/ Region	Entity	Publication
19/10/2022	Ukraine	Ministry of Economy of Ukraine	Draft Order "On approval of the Technical Regulation relating to crystal glass". (G/TBT/N/UKR/232) The draft order approves the Technical Regulation that establishes requirements for the composition, characteristics and labeling of crystal glass products placed on the market in Ukraine. The Technical Regulation is based on Council Directive 69/493/EEC of 15 December 1969 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to crystal glass.
05/10/2022	Europe	European Commission	Public consultation: Revision of EU rules on food contact materials
21/09/2022	Europe	European Commission	Corrigendum to Commission Regulation (EU) 2022/1616 of 15 September 2022 on recycled plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with foods, and repealing Regulation (EC) No 282/2008.

 

Miscellaneous technical publications relating to consumer products

 

The latest publications in relation to consumer products are summarised in the table below:

 

Date	Country/ Region	Entity	Publication
09/09/2022	Europe	European Commission	European Parliament resolution of 16 February 2022 on the implementation of Directive 2009/48/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the safety of toys (Toy Safety Directive) (2021/2040(INI))
28/09/2022	Europe	European Commission	Proposal for a DIRECTIVE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on liability for defective products (COM/2022/495 final)
28/09/2022	Europe	European Commission	Public consultation: Consumer protection – strengthened enforcement cooperation This initiative makes targeted changes to the Consumer Protection Cooperation Regulation to address the new issues arising from the digitalisation of consumer markets.

 

France

 

Technical publications

 

Recent publications by ANSES (French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety) related to consumer products include:

 

Date	Publication
15/09/2022	School supplies: the great vagueness of chemical substances School supplies are not subject to any specific regulations regarding their composition, manufacture or use. ANSES has therefore produced a summary of the available literature concerning the chemical substances present in or emitted by school and office supplies.

 

US

 

CPSC Approves New Mandatory Standard for Clothing Storage Units

 

On October 19^th, 2022, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) approved a new federal mandatory safety standard for clothing storage units (CSUs) that will significantly change the testing and labeling requirements for CSUs. The new standard will address the risk of injury or death of young children from tip over incidents with CSUs, which includes products such as chests, bureaus, dressers, armoires, wardrobes, chests of drawers, drawer chests, chifforobes and door chests. 

 

The new standard will contain minimum stability requirements and marking and labeling of safety and identification information requirements.

 

The new safety standard will take effect 180 days after it is published in the Federal Register.

 

US EPA Proposes to Update Voluntary Consensus Standards for Composite Wood Products

 

On March 29^th, 2022, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed to update several voluntary consensus standards in the EPA’s formaldehyde standards for composite wood products regulations under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). On September 20^th, 2022, the EPA proposed to update the incorporation by reference of two additional voluntary consensus standards in the formaldehyde standards for composite wood products regulations to reflect the most recent editions. The EPA accepted comments for the addition of the following standards until October 20^th, 2022:

 

• ANSI A208.1-2022 Particleboard
• ANSI A208.2-2022 Medium Density Fiberboard

Please click here to see the proposed rulemaking in the Federal Register.

 

Connecticut Passes New Lighter Regulation

 

The State of Connecticut has recently approved SB 185 to prohibit the offering of or selling counterfeit, novelty, or unsafe lighters. 

 

Under the new regulation, the following terms have the following definitions:

 

A “lighter” is any electrical or mechanical device that (1) operates using any type of fuel, including butane or another liquid fuel, and (2) is typically used to light a cigarette, cigar, or pipe.

 

A “counterfeit light” is a lighter that infringes on the intellectual property rights of a U.S. citizen or entity protected by federal or state intellectual property law.

 

A “novelty lighter” is a lighter that (1) is designed to appear as a toy; (2) produces entertaining audio or visual effects, including musical notes or flashing lights; or (3) resembles, in physical form and function a (a) battery, beverage, cartoon character, cell phone, gun or other weapon, food musical instrument, sporting equipment, vehicle, or watch; or (b) item intended for use by those under age 12. A novelty lighter does not include any standard disposable or refillable cigarette or pocket lighter that includes, or is decorated with, any artwork, decal, heat-shrinkable sleeve, label, or logo.

 

An “unsafe lighter” is (1) a disposable or refillable cigarette or pocket lighter that does not comply with American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards for lighters (F400-20) and (2) a grill or utility lighter that does not comply with ASTM standards for utility lighters (F2201-20).

 

The new regulation became effective on October 1^st, 2022. 

 

California Passes New PFAS in Cosmetics Regulation

 

In 2020, California passed a legislation to ban the use of 13 specified PFAS substances in cosmetic products beginning in January 1^st, 2025. On September 29^th, 2022, California approved Assembly Bill No. 2771 to ban cosmetic products containing any intentionally added PFAS substances beginning in January 1^st, 2025.

 

Under the new regulation, the following terms have the following definitions:

 

A “Cosmetic product” means an article for retail sale or professional use intended to be rubbed, poured, sprinkled, or sprayed on, introduced into, or otherwise applied to the human body for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering the appearance.

 

“Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances” or “PFAS” means a class of fluorinated organic chemicals containing at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom.

 

“Intentionally added PFAS” means either of the following:

 

(1) PFAS chemicals that a manufacturer has intentionally added to a product and that have a functional or technical effect on the product.

 

(2) PFAS chemicals that are intentional breakdown products of an added chemical.

 

Standards updates

 

See below a table summarising some recent ASTM standards updates:

 

Reference	Title
ASTM F3343-20e1	Standard Specification Safety Specification for Infant Bathers

 

India

 

India Amends Food Contact Materials Regulation

 

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has recently issued the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Second Amendment Regulations, 2022 to add 2 new chemicals to its requirement list for specific migration limits in plastic food contact materials. With the addition of antimony and DEHP, the number of substances with migration limits will be expanded to 9 chemicals. Please see Table 1 below to see the full list of specific migration limits of substances from plastic food contact materials. 

 

Table 1: Requirement for specific migration limits of substances from plastic materials intended to be in contact with articles of food.

 

Substance	Maximum Migration Limit (mg/kg)
Barium	1.0
Cobalt	0.05
Copper	5.0
Iron	48.0
Lithium	0.6
Manganese	0.6
Zinc	25.0
Antimony	0.04
Phthalic acid, bis (2-ethylhexyl) ester (DEHP)	1.5

 

Taiwan

 

Taiwan Prohibits Asbestos Containing Products

 

The Environmental Protection Agency of Taiwan has recently issued Circular No. 1111111106 to prohibit the import of products containing asbestos, effective May 1^st, 2023. The prohibition will not apply to the following products:

 

• Necessary for the protection of the civilians and military purposes
• For research, experimentation and educational purposes
• Suitable alternatives to products that do not contain asbestos as ingredients cannot be obtained.

 

Hong Kong

 

Hong Kong to Increase Cost of Plastic Bags

 

The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region recently issued a Press Release to announce that three pieces of subsidiary legislation for enhancing the Plastic Bag (PSB) Charging Scheme were passed by the Legislative Council. The three subsidiary legislations amend the Product Eco-responsibility Ordinance (Cap. 603) and the Product Eco-responsibility (Plastic Shopping Bags) Regulation (Cap. 603A) with the following changes:

 

• Increasing the charge per PSB from the current level of at least 50 cents to at least 1 dollar.
• Removing the exemption for PSBs carrying frozen/chilled food items; and
• Tightening the scope of exemption such that free PSBs can only be provided when purchasing foodstuff items without packaging or not wholly contained in any packaging, or food and beverage takeaway items in non-airtight packaging.

The enhanced Scheme will be implemented on December 31^st, 2022. 

 

New Zealand

 

Plastic products banned

 

On July 28^th, 2022, China’s National Health Commission and State Administration for Market Regulation issued a revised mandatory standard for food contact paper and paperboard materials (GB 4806.8-2022) and a new mandatory standard for food contact bamboo and wood materials and products (GB 4806.12-2022). Please see Table 1 below for more information:

 

The New Zealand government is banning certain hard-to-recycle plastics and will phase out six single-use items over the next four years. This marks the beginning of New Zealand’s move towards a low waste and circular economy. Below, is a summary table outlining the three main tranches of the country’s fight against plastics:

 

Date	Tranche	Banned plastic products
01/10/2022	1	PVC food trays and containers* (plastic type #3) Polystyrene takeaway food and drink packaging (plastic type #6) Expanded polystyrene food and drink packaging (plastic type #6) Plastic with pro-degradant additives, eg oxo and photo degradable plastics (subset of plastic type #7) Plastic drink stirrers (all plastic types) Plastic stemmed cotton buds (all plastic types) *The scope is limited to pre-formed trays used for produce, baked goods and meat.
Mid-2023	2	Single-use plastic items: Plastic produce bags Plastic plates, bowls and cutlery Plastic straws* Plastic produce labels** *Plastic straws will be available for disabled people and medical use ** See this website for further information on scope.
Mid-2025	3	All other PVC and polystyrene food and drink packaging.

 

For more information, consult guidance from the New Zealand Ministry for the Environment here.

 

Saudi Arabia

 

New requirements for ornaments and accessories

 

On 23^rd September 2022, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia published the Technical regulation for ornaments and accessories.

 

This technical regulation applies to jewellery and decorative accessories made of metals, plastics, glass or textiles. Precious metals, plating and artifacts are excluded from the scope of this regulation are.

 

This technical regulation aims to determine the basic requirements and technical requirements for ornaments and accessories, which are included in the scope of this technical regulation, and to determine the conformity assessment procedures that suppliers and users must adhere to, in order to ensure that these products conform to the basic requirements needed to preserve the safety of the environment and the health and safety of the consumer.

 

These main requirements includes the following permitted limits for heavy metals:

 

Heavy Metal	Limit
Lead (Pb)	0.05 % by weight
Cadmium (Cd)	0.01 % by weight
Nickel (Ni)	(0.2) µg/cm2 For earrings products inserted into the body (migration percentage according to on week of normal use)
	(0.5) µg/cm2 For the rest of the products attached to the body (migration percentage according to on week of normal use)

 

International

 

New version of international Safety of toys standard

 

In September 2022, the International Organization for Standardization published the Safety of toys — Part 1: Safety aspects related to mechanical and physical properties. It cancels and replaces ISO 8124-1:2018, ISO 8124-1:2018/Amd.1:2020 and ISO 8124-1:2018/Amd.2:2020.

 

This document specifies requirements and test methods for toys intended for use by children in various age groups from birth to 14 years. It also requires that appropriate warnings and/or instructions for use to be given on certain toys or their packaging.

 

Products not included within the scope of this document are:

 

• Bicycles, except for those considered to be toys, i.e. those having a maximum saddle height of 435 mm;
• Slingshots/catapults;
• Darts with metal points;
• Public playground equipment;
• Compressed air-operated and gas-operated guns and pistols;
• Kites (except for the electric resistance of their strings, which is included);
• Model kits, hobby and craft items, in which the finished item is not primarily of play value;
• Sporting goods and equipment, camping goods, athletic equipment, musical instruments and furniture; however, toys which are their counterparts are included;
• Models of aircraft, rockets, boats and land vehicles powered by combustion engines; however, toys which are their counterparts are included;
• Collectible products not intended for children under 14 years of age;
• Holiday decorations that are primarily intended for ornamental purposes;
• Aquatic equipment intended to be used in deep water;
• Swimming-learning devices and flotation aids for children, such as swim-seats and swim-aids;
• Toys installed in public places (e.g. arcades and shopping centres);
• Puzzles for specialists, for example those with more than 500 pieces and those without a picture;
• Fireworks, including percussion caps, except percussion caps specifically designed for toys;
• Products containing heating elements intended for use under the supervision of an adult in a teaching context;
• Steam engines;
• Video toys that can be connected to a video screen and operated at a nominal voltage greater than 24 V;
• Pacifiers (dummies) for babies;
• Faithful reproductions of firearms;
• Electric ovens, irons or other functional products operated at a nominal voltage greater than 24 V;
• Bows for archery with an overall relaxed length exceeding 120 cm;
• Fashion jewellery for children.

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PPE

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Europe

 

Standards updates

 

The following table summarises the most recent standard updates and upcoming dates of withdrawal (non-exhaustive):

 

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

 

CEN
Reference	Title	Date of withdrawal (*)	Supersedes
EN ISO 6942:2022	Protective clothing - Protection against heat and fire - Method of test: Evaluation of materials and material assemblies when exposed to a source of radiant heat (ISO 6942:2022)	2023-03-31	EN ISO 6942:2002
EN 17673:2022	Protective clothing - Protection against heat and flame - Requirements and test methods for garments with integrated smart textiles and non textile elements	2023-02-28

 

France

 

Annual control plan 2020: breath control

 

On 8^th August 2022, the Direction générale de la concurrence, de la consommation et de la répression des fraudes (DGCCRF) published results on the annual control plan 2020 which focused on the topic of breath control.

 

Most of the products sampled fell into one of two main categories of personal protective equipment (PPE): filtering half-mask respirators against particles (classes "FFP1" and "FFP2") and PPE for diving sports or leisure.

 

The services of the DGCCRF transmitted 151 warnings and 36 injunctions for compliance, established an administrative fine, and drew up 10 criminal reports.

 

For more information, consult the DGCCRF website here.

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