Eurofins | Newsflash - November 2018 | Toys & Childcare

Europe

Update of Type approval protocols Nº1 & 5

On 24^th September 2018, European Commission published the following revision on EC-type protocols:
 

Europe

Standards update

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(*) Date of withdrawal: latest date by which national standards conflicting with an EN (and HD for CENELEC) have to be withdrawn
 

US

CPSC Amends Requirements for Consumer Registration of Durable Infant or Toddler Products   On 9th October, 2018, the Consumer Product Safety Commission published a proposed rule in the Federal Register to amend 16 CFR 1130, Requirements for Consumer Registration of Durable Infant or Toddler Products or consumer registration rule.

This proposed rule makes several changes to 16 CFR 1130 mainly including:

• Stating the full statutory definition of ”durable infant or toddler product” in section 104(f)(1)
• Specifying that the listed product categories are further defined in the applicable mandatory standards
• Listing “sling carriers”,  ”soft infant and toddler carriers”, “handheld infant carriers” and “frame child carriers” as a subset of infant carriers
• Clarifying that “bedside sleepers” are a subset of bassinets
• Revising the term “changing tables” to “baby changing products”

 
Comments are due by December 24, 2018.

Click here for more information.

US - New Jersey

Proposal to ban Formaldehyde in Children’s products

The State of New Jersey has recently introduced a bill that would ban children’s products (aged 12 or under) that contain formaldehyde.  Batteries, electronic products, pesticides, food and drugs are excluded.

If the Act is finally passed, it will come into force on 1^st April 2019.

Click here for reading the Bill A4481.

US - Minnesota

Formaldehyde in children’s personal care products   In August 2018, Minnesota Department of Health released an educational handout about formaldehyde in children’s personal care products.  This document explains the possible health hazards that high levels of this substance may cause. Click here for getting the educational handout.

US - Oregon

Oregon Approved Toxic Free Kids Rule Revision

On 11^th September 2018, the Oregon Health Authority adopted two Permanent Administrative Orders PH 252-2018 and PH 253-2018 which amend its Toxic-Free Kids Act.

PH 252-2018 “Chemicals of High Concern to Children” amends OAR 333-016-2020 by adding five high priority chemicals to HPCCCH list and removing three chemicals from the list. The new list of HPCCCHs containing 68 chemicals will become effective on January 1^st  2019.

PH-253-2018 amends OAR 333-016-2060; 2080; 2090 including “Notification Requirements”, “Fees” and “Enforcement and Civil Penalties” and has come into effect from 1^st  October, 2018.

For more information click here.

Canada

Canada Publishes Revised Playpens Regulations   On 3rd October 2018, Health Canada issued revised Playpens Regulations: SOR/2018-186 on the Canada Gazette, Part II. The Regulations increase safety and align more with U.S. requirements, and also with similar regulations made under the CCPSA such as Cribs, Cradles and Bassinets Canadian Regulations (CCBR).

Comparing to the proposed Playpens Regulations published last April, 2017, the main differences are as follows:

1. Addition of further instructions to test method described in Schedule 16 of the Regulations in order to test the angle of foldable mattress pads that is less than 38 cm in length
2. Correction of the side height requirement for sleep accessories from 192 mm to 191 mm
3. Allowing the use of a pouch to store the assembly and use instructions, as long as it is accompanied by the relevant warnings

These regulations would come into effect six months after the publication that is April 3^rd, 2019.

For more information please click here.

South Korea

Heavy metals amendment in children’s products safety standards

On 24^th July 2018, Notice 2018-151 was published by the South Korean Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. This amendment affects Safety Standards for Children’s Products Subject to Safety Confirmation and includes 8 new heavy metals:
 

 
It will come into force on 1st February 2019 with a transitional period of 3 years (until 1^st February 2022).

Click here for getting the amendment from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) website. (In Korean).

Europe

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 87 alerts regarding Childcare articles, equipment and toys have been reported, from week 38 until week 42.

US

From on 21^st September to 20^th October, CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) has published the following recalls: 2 recall regarding Childcare products.