Eurofins Toys & Hardlines Monthly Bulletin (October 2022)

EUROPE

European forced labour products ban proposal

On 19 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 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 27 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 childcare 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	28-02-2023	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	28-02-2023	EN 13045:2009
EN ISO 8291:2022	Vitreous and porcelain enamels - Method of test of self-cleaning properties (ISO 8291:1986)	31-03-2023
Reference	Title	Date of withdrawal (*)	Supersedes
CEN/TS 17830:2022	Paper and board - Guidance on the application of Term 2.2 "Prohibited materials" of EN 643:2014	30-11-2022

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/p>	28-02-2023
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)	31-03-2023
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)	31-03-2023	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 from 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 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 labelling 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.

CPSC approves new mandatory standard for clothing storage units

On 19 October 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 labelling 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 labelling 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 29 March 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 20 September 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 20 October 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 1 October 2022.

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 1 May 2023. The prohibition will not apply to the following products:

Necessary for the protection of 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 31 December 2022.

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.

SAUDI ARABIA

New requirements for ornaments and accessories

On 23 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, 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 include 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 one week of normal use)
Nickel (Ni)	(0.5) µg/cm2 For the rest of the products attached to the body (migration percentage according to one 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 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.

For more information, consult the ISO website here.

PRODUCT RECALLS / ALERTS

Below, you will find a monthly table summarising product recalls and alerts in Europe (Source “Safety Gate (RAPEX)” and “RASFF”) and the U.S. (Source “CPSC”)

Europe

Safety Gate RAPEX (European Commission Rapid Alert System for dangerous non-food products – Alerts reported by EU national authorities)

The following 38 alerts regarding childcare articles, equipment and toys were reported between week 38 and week 41 of 2022.

Type of Risk	Number of alerts	Notes
Chemicals	2	Pranking toys set One of the liquids in the set (the "disappearing ink"), intended to be spilled on another person, is excessively alkaline (measured pH: 12,5). The product does not comply with the requirements of the Toy Safety Directive, nor with EN 71-9.
	1	Electrical toy The charging cable, the plug and the plug top of the product contain an excessive concentration of Dibutyl phthalate (DBP), of bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and Di-‘isodecyl’ phthalate (DINP). The product does not comply with the requirements of the Toy Safety Directive.
	1	Plastic bottle with sweets The teddy bear's head contains an excessive concentration bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP). The product does not comply with the REACH Regulation.
	8	Plastic dolls The toy has an excessive concentration of bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and dibutyl phthalate (DBP). The product does not comply with REACH Regulation.
Choking	5	Plastic toys Small parts can easily detach from the toy. The product does not comply with the requirements of the Toy Safety Directive, nor with EN 71-1.
	1	Rattle The rattle can easily break, generating small parts. The product does not comply with the requirements of the Toy Safety Directive nor with EN 71-1.
	1	Baby Gym Small parts can easily detach from the toy. The product does not comply with the requirements of the Toy Safety Directive, nor with EN 71-1.
	1	Soother holder Small parts can easily detach from the toy. The product does not comply with the requirements of the Toy Safety Directive, nor with EN 71-1.
	1	Mobile musical toy Small parts can easily detach from the toy. The product does not comply with the requirements of the Toy Safety Directive, nor with EN 71-1.
	1	Rattle toy Small parts can easily detach from the toy. The product does not comply with the requirements of the Toy Safety Directive, nor with EN 71-1.
	1	Activity play mat Small parts can easily detach from the toy. The product does not comply with the requirements of the Toy Safety Directive, nor with EN 71-1.
	1	Wooden toy Small parts can easily detach from the toy. The product does not comply with the requirements of the Toy Safety Directive, nor with EN 71-1.
	1	Puzzle play mat Small parts can easily detach from the toy. The product does not comply with the requirements of the Toy Safety Directive, nor with EN 71-1.
	3	Toy gun set Small parts can easily detach from the toy. The product does not comply with the requirements of the Toy Safety Directive, nor with EN 71-1.
	1	Soft toy Small parts can easily detach from the toy. The product does not comply with the requirements of the Toy Safety Directive, nor with EN 71-1.
Choking, Damage to hearing, Injuries	1	Rattle toy Small parts can easily detach, the handle of the rattle toy is too long and the sound pressure level of the bell is too high. The product does not comply with the requirements of the Toy Safety Directive nor with EN 71-1.
Choking, Injuries	3	Toy gun set The suction cups can be easily detached. The kinetic energy of the projectiles is too high. The product does not comply with the requirements of the Toy Safety Directive nor with EN 71-1.
Choking, Strangulation	1	Pull-along toy Small parts can easily detach. The cord of the toy is too long. The product does not comply with the requirements of the Toy Safety Directive nor with EN 71-1.
	1	Soft toy The fibrous stuffing material of the toy is easily accessible due to the weakness of certain seams. The plastic of the packaging is too thin. The product does not comply with the requirements of the Toy Safety Directive nor with EN 71-1.
	1	Yoyo puffer ball Small parts can easily detach. The cord of the toy is too long. The product does not comply with the requirements of the Toy Safety Directive nor with EN 71-1.
Injuries	1	Baby carrier Due to the insufficient attachment options on the baby carrier, the support is inadequate and the baby may slip out of the carrier. The product does not comply with the requirements of General Product Safety Directive, nor with EN 13209-2.
Strangulation	1	Soother holder The soother holder is too long. The product does not comply with the requirements of the General Product Safety Directive nor with EN 12586.

The following 6 alerts regarding furniture were reported between week 38 and 41 of 2022.

Type of Risk	Number of alerts	Notes
Chemicals	1	Foldable pouffe The outer plastic material of the pouffe contains an excessive concentration of bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP). The product does not comply with REACH Regulation.
Injuries	5	Chair The chair has insufficient strength and can break under load. It does not comply with the requirements of the General Product Safety Directive nor with EN 12520.

The following 6 alerts regarding hard goods/ miscellaneous goods were reported between week 38 and 41 of 2022.

Type of Risk	Number of alerts	Notes
Chemicals	1	Plastic tablecloth The plastic material of the product contains an excessive amount of bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP). The product does not comply with REACH Regulation.
	1	Inflatable baby swimming float The plastic material of the product contains an excessive concentration of bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP). The product does not comply with REACH Regulation, nor with the EN 71.
	3	Jewellery The product contains an excessive amount of cadmium, lead and nickel. The product does not comply with REACH Regulation.
Injuries	1	Vase The vase can spontaneously break, causing injuries to the user. The product does not comply with the requirements of the General Product Safety Directive.

RASFF (European Commission Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed - Alerts reported by EU national authorities)

The following 4 alerts regarding Food Contact Materials related to children's tableware were reported from 21 September 2022 to 20 October 2022.

Product	Substance / Hazard
Bamboo fibres, maize starch and melamine's bowls	Unauthorised use of bamboo and of maize in bamboo fibres, maize starch and melamine bowls	RASFF Window - Notification detail
Blue melamine plate	Migration of formaldehyde in melamine plate	RASFF Window - Notification detail
Lunch Box with Cutlery	Unauthorised use of wheat straw in lunch box with cutlery	RASFF Window - Notification detail
Rice husk feeding utensils	Migration of melamine and unauthorised use of rice husk in children's feeding utensils	RASFF Window - Notification detail

OPSS issues Product Safety Alerts on the UK market. The following alerts regarding toys and childcare products were reported between week 38 and week 41 of 2022.

18 recalls regarding toys and childcare products

Type of Risk	Number of alerts	Notes
Choking	1	Plush Doll Small parts are easily detachable and fit wholly in the small parts cylinder. The product does not comply with the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011.
	1	Microscope The button battery compartment of the product is not adequately secured and is easily accessible. The product does not meet the requirements of the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011.
	1	Fidget Spinner The centre piece of the spinner is poorly attached and can be released easily. The product does not meet the requirements of the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011.
	1	Rattle The small wooden ring broke on abuse test and produced small parts. The item is also not labelled with manufacturer or importer details and lacks relevant markings. The product does not meet the requirements of the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011.
	1	Magnetic Fishing Toy The silicone feather shape and wooden duck produced small parts during the tension test. The product also presents a risk of strangulation as the length of the cord is greater than the maximum length permitted. The product does not meet the requirements of the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011.
	1	Magnetic Fishing Toys Contains small parts, either created during the abuse and tension test or received as small parts. Some of the magnets that were small parts were also found to have excessively high magnetic strength. The products do not meet the requirements of the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011.
	1	Magnetic Jigsaw Puzzle Magnets constitute small parts fitting into a small parts cylinder. The product does not meet the requirements of the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011.
	1	Magnetic Toy The orange, apple and strawberry produced small parts after abuse testing. The product does not meet the requirements of the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011.
Asphyxiation	1	Toy Air Gun The foam darts are smaller than permitted and may lodge in the throat, blocking the flow of air. The product also requires improvements to warnings and markings. The product does not meet the requirements of the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011.
Choking and injuries	1	Flashing Flower Toy The button battery compartment of the product is not adequately secured and is easily accessible. The product is also supplied in packaging which presents an asphyxiation hazard and requires improvements to labelling and markings. The product does not meet the requirements of the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011.
	1	Small, High-Powered Magnetic Products The magnets were found to have a magnetic flux greater than the limit allowed and the magnets also constitute small parts. The product does not meet the requirements of the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011.
	1	Magnetic Wooden Toy One small part (magnet) produced from the wooden block on the fishing rod was found to have a magnetic flux which is greater than the limit allowed. Small, high-powered magnetic products can be easily swallowed. The product does not meet the requirements of the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011.
Strangulation	1	Wooden baby play gym with cream cushion The length of the hanging toys from wooden ring and beads is greater than the maximum length permitted. The product does not meet the requirements of the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011.
Choking and strangulation	1	Wooden baby play gym with pink leaf cushion underneath The silicone feather shape and wooden duck produced small parts and the length of the cord (when pulled through), is greater than the maximum length permitted. The product does not meet the requirements of the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011.
Choking and strangulation	1	Cot Hanging Toy Small parts were produced, including blue spiky balls, lolly stick, red conical bead, goggle eyes, metal bells, red and blue arrows, green triangular and purple vial buttons. The flower rectangle cords, rectangle and triangle cords also exceed the maximum permitted length. The product does not meet the requirements of the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011.
Chemical and ejection	1	Children’s scooter The plastic cover martial on the handles contains an excessive amount of bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP). The scooter poses a potential ejection hazard if it hits an object. The product does not comply with the REACH regulations and the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011.
Suffocation	1	Mushroom Teether It has been identified that the mushroom head can flip around creating a tight suction, with the eyes not being rigid enough to prevent the mouth and nose from being pushed in. The product does not meet the requirements of the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011.

2 recalls regarding hard goods/ miscellaneous goods

Type of Risk	Number of alerts	Notes
Chemicals	1	Argos Belly and Tongue Bar Sets The product has a higher than acceptable Nickel release. The products do not meet the requirements of the REACH (Enforcement) Regulations 2008.
Choking	1	Halloween Decoration The battery compartment of the products is not secured by a screw, allowing easy access to the compartment and batteries. The button batteries may be placed in the mouth and swallowed.

1 recall regarding hobby and sports equipment

Type of Risk	Number of alerts	Notes
Injuries	1	Fishing Camping Chair During the folding process, the seat tubing moves relative to other components of the frame with a scissor-like action. The product also requires improvements to labelling and instructions. The product does not meet the requirements of the General Product Safety Regulations 2005.

U.S.

From 29 September 2022 to 20 October 2022, the CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) published the following recalls:

3 recalls regarding Toys and childcare products

Hazard	Number of alerts	Notes
Choking	1	Shape sorter toy The red cube can come apart or detach during use and release the small white ball inside the cube, posing a choking hazard to infants.
Fire	1	Toy gun The lithium-ion battery pack inside the handle can overheat and ignite, posing a fire hazard.
Chemical	1	Army action figure and butterfly net sets Components of the recalled butterfly net sets and the action figure playsets contain levels of certain phthalates and lead that exceed the federal phthalate and lead content standards. Phthalates and lead are toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health issues.

2 recalls of furniture

Type of Risk	Number of alerts	Notes
Entrapment	1	Bunk beds with ladder The space between the second rung of the bed’s ladder and the lower bunk frame is wider than 3.5 inches, posing an entrapment hazard to children, when the mattress is removed.
Chemical	1	Desk and storage unit The surface paint on the tan side panels of the desks and storage units contains levels of lead that exceed the federal lead paint ban, posing a lead poisoning hazard. Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects.

8 recalls of consumer products

Type of Risk	Number of alerts	Notes
Crash and injury	2	Bar jam brackets The recalled bracket arms, attached to bicycle handlebars, can crack or break during use, causing the harness and gear to fall while the bicycle is in motion, posing a crash and injury hazards.
Crash and injury	2	Strap The rubber straps that fasten the bicycle bag to the bicycle can break causing the bag to come loose and fall, posing crash hazard and injury hazards to the rider.
Chemical	2	Hair clip The crystals on the hairclip contain levels of lead that exceed the federal lead content ban. Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health issues.
Chemical	2	Ring The metal base of the ring contains levels of lead that exceed the federal lead content ban. Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health issues.
Choking	1	Cabinet latches The latching button can dislodge and detach from the cabinet latches, posing a choking hazard to young children.
Drowning	1	Scuba buoyancy compensator device Defective metal fittings on the inflator hose can cause an airflow restriction and failure to inflate, or improper inflation of the BCD, posing a drowning hazard to the user.
Fire	1	Bird baths When sunlight goes through the recalled bird bath’s acrylic surfaces onto nearby wooden surfaces, such as siding or decking, the wood surface can overheat, posing a fire hazard.
Injury and drowning	1	Buoyancy compensator device The dump valve knob can get stuck when the recalled BCD is inflated, opening the dump valve which stops the BCD from fully inflating. This can result in a loss of buoyancy control and poses injury (decompression sickness) and drowning hazards.

1 recall of food contact materials

Type of Risk	Number of alerts	Notes
Burn	1	Kettle The paint can chip on the bottom of the recalled kettles, posing a fire hazard. In addition, the handle can break and/or the spout can leak, posing a risk of burn injuries.