September 2017

Regulatory UpdatesSeptember 2017September 2017Clear searchAll RegionsNorth AmericaAsiaNorth America NewsUS Overview of Changes in ASTM F963-17 Toy Safety StandardOn August 24, 2017, a new version of toys safety standard, ASTM F963-17, was published. Later on September 1, 2017, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) was notified by ASTM of the updated standard publication. The revision summary is listed below:According to the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), the updated standard will be enforced and become mandatory 180 days after ASTM has notified the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) of the update. However, the CPSC may reject the revision within 90 days.Time line:The following requirements or test methods are amended: Section Requirements Amendment Summary 3.1.20 Terminology - Modified definition of “Cosmetics” to clarify that cosmetics applied to toys are not subject to FDCA labeling requirements - Removed definition: “Driving Mechanism”, since this word does not appear in current version 4.3.6.1 Microbiological Safety - Specified bacteriological standard to be used for process water:USP 35(1231); andEPA 40 CFR 141.63 4.21 Projectile Toys - New Exemption to Kinetic Energy Density (KED) requirements for Projectiles having kinetic energy less than 0.08 J (when tested) 4.25 Test Method for Toys which Produce Noise - Clarified that PTC resistors are “not” short circuited - Clarified that “floor and tabletop” toys that move do not include push/pull toys - Other editorial changes --- Read MoreUS CPSC Approves New Federal Standard for Infant Bouncer SeatOn September 7, 2017, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) approved final rule, 16 CFR 1229, to adopt ASTM F2167-17 with modifications related to the warning label. ASTM F2167-17 is the mandatory safety requirement for infant bouncer seats. Its main intent is to reduce the risk of injury to infants that fall from, and with, bouncer seats.According to the standard, an infant bouncer seat is defined as:A freestanding product intended to support an occupant in a reclined position to facilitate bouncing by the occupant, with the aid of a caregiver or by other means, andA product intended for infants who have not developed the ability to sit up unassisted (approximately 0 to 6 months of age).The final rule adopts ASTM F2167-17 and there are two modifications to the requirements of the standard:The rule requires an additional warning statement to caregivers to use the restraints “Even if an infant falls asleep”.The rule also requires the fall hazard warning to be placed on the upper seat back of the bouncer seat to ensure that caregivers read and heed the warningRead MoreEPA Details Status for Reformed TSCA RegulationOn June 22, 2017, one year after the reformed Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) was signed into law, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that the Agency has met its first-year statutory responsibilities and deadlines. Meanwhile, the EPA released scope documents for the first 10 risk evaluated chemicals.Within the year, the EPA has implemented below activities, including the release of scope document, to fulfil its responsibilities: No. Document type Detail 1 Scope documents for the first 10 risk evaluated chemicals which the evaluations were initiated in late 2016 Each scope document includes the following:- identifying the uses of the chemicals that will be evaluated and how the evaluation will be conducted- The chemical’s hazards and exposures- Conditions of use- Potentially exposed or susceptible sub populations the EPA expects 2 Three finalized rules Finalized a rule to establish EPA’s process and criteria for identifying high priority chemicals for risk evaluation and low priority chemicals for which evaluation is not needed. Finalized second rule to establish EPA’ process for evaluating high priority chemicals to determine whether or not they present an unreasonable risk to health or the environment. Finalized third rule to require industry reporting of chemicals manufactured or processed in the US commerce over the past 10 years. 3 A guidance document for external parties Released guidance for any external parties interested in submitting draft risk evaluation to the EPA for consideration. Read MoreUpdates of ASTM StandardsBelow is a summary of recently updated ASTM standards: ASTM Standard No. Detail ASTM F2167-17 Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Infant Bouncer Seats Covers the performance requirements, methods of test and marking requirements to promote safe use of an infant bouncer seat by an occupant and a caregiver. ASTM F2613-17 Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Children's Chairs and Stools establishes testing requirements for structural integrity and performance requirements for children’s chairs and stools. It also provides requirements for labeling. ASTM F963-17 Standard Consumer Safety of Toys relates to possible hazards that may not be recognized readily by the public and that may be encountered in the normal use for which a toy is intended or after reasonably foreseeable abuse Read MoreUS State of California Proposition 65: Recent 60-Day NoticesIn 1986, California voters approved an initiative titled California Proposition 65 to address their growing concerns about exposure to toxic chemicals. Since its origin, there have been many lawsuits that have resulted in reformulations of consumer products containing carcinogenic and reproductively harmful chemicals on the Cal Prop 65 list.Recent 60-day notices from June to August of 2017 include the following: Chemical Product / Source Number of Notices 1,4-Dioxane Shampoo 2 Acrylamide Foods 79 Asbestos, Talc containing asbestiform fibers Baby Powder 1 Bisphenol A (BPA) Food container: Polycarbonate Cup/Goblet/Salad Server / Blender Container/ Coffee Decanter/ Punch Bowl / Scoop Plate / Margarita Glass 8 Thermal Paper 2 Cadmium Foods / Jewelry 6 Cadmium and cadmium compounds, Lead and lead compounds Food powder / Chocolate 4 Dietary Supplements 5 Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) Armband 2 Bag/Cosmetic Bag/Pouch/Wallet/Wristlet/ID Badge/Case 20 Bags/Pouches/Cases/Storage cases with vinyl/PVC component 6 Cable/Cords/Wire with Vinyl/PVC Component 7 Fitness Case/Fitness Belt/Foam Roller/Float/Dry Bag 9 Gloves/Headphone with Vinyl/PVC Components 12 Inflatable Bath Pillow With Suction Cups/ Jewellry boxes with Polymer Handle/Keyring 3 Kitchen Utensil Grips/Trays with Vinyl/PVC Components 2 Pillcase/Raincoats/Sandals/Suction Cups 9 Tools with polymer/PVC component 7 Vinyl/PVC Aprons/Mat/Ponchos/Toilet Seats/Tubes and Hoses/ Zipper Pulls 17 Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), Di-isodecyl phthalate (DIDP), Diisononyl phthalate (DINP) Vinyl bedding storage cases 1 Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), Di-isodecyl phthalate (DIDP), Di- n-butyl phthalate (DBP), Diisononyl phthalate (DINP), Lead Bags with Vinyl/PVC Components 1 Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), Diisononyl phthalate (DINP) Bag/Armband/Case/ Bags with Vinyl/PVC components 5 Fishing lure/ Spring Clamps with vinyl grips and tips/ Vinyl bedding storage cases 4 Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), Diisononyl phthalate (DINP), Lead Cords/Tool Pouches with Vinyl/PVC Component 1 Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), Di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), Lead Hammers 2 Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), Lead and lead compounds Tools with Vinyl/PVC component 5 Diisononyl phthalate (DINP) Armband/ Bag/Pouch/Waist Pack/Case 10 Cable/Cords with Vinyl/PVC Component / Power Strip/Cable/Phone Charging Wallet 6 Fishing Tools 8 Umbrella/ Vinyl apron/storage cases/gloves 5 Di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) Sandals 6 Lead Adapter / Brass parts 7 Ceramics / Glasses 3 Copper drinkware with brass components 8 Dietary Supplements / Food 28 Padlocks/Parts/Fittings/Valves 23 Tools/ Weight sets 3 Read MoreUS State of Maine Approves Act to Prohibit Flame Retardant in Upholstered FurnitureOn August 2, 2017, Maine legislature have approved legislative document LD 182, which will be written into law. This Act is to protect Firefighters by establishing a prohibition on the sale and distribution of new upholstered furniture containing certain flame retardant chemicals. The Act prohibits the sales and distribution of new upholstered furniture containing more than 0.1% of flame retardant chemicals.Beginning January 1, 2019, the Act prohibits the sale or distribution of upholstered furniture for promotional purposes containing flame retardants more than 0.1% in its:- Fabric, or- Other covering, or- Cushioning materialsA restricted flame retardant is defined as any chemical or chemical compound to resist or inhibit the spread of fire. It includes, but is not limited to, halogenated, phosphorus-based, nitrogen-based and nanoscale flame retardants.Read MoreState of New York Albany County Enforces the Updated Toxic Free Toys ActRecently in the summer of 2017, the Albany County Department of Health (DoH) issued an updated Local Law No. 2015 “Toxic Free Toys Act”, Letter to Retailers and Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) related to the Toxic Free Toys Act (Local Law No. 1 for 2015). They both clearly stated that the enforcement of the Act will begin on November 1, 2017.In the letter to retailers, DoH states the enforcement date of the act will begin on November 1, 2017 and suggests retailers to understand the act through reading the FAQ which provides further information and clarification, such as, exempted products, penalties for violation, definition of children’s product etc. This act applies to children’s products and children’s apparel in general and there are 5 chemicals restricted as below: Chemicals Local Law 1 for 2015 Antimony ≤ 60 ppm Arsenic ≤ 25 ppm Cadmium ≤ 75 ppm Lead ≤ 90 ppm (paints or similar surface coatings) ------------------------------------- ≤ 100 ppm (accessible substrates) Mercury ≤ 60 ppm Compared to previous adopted version, two chemicals, Cobalt and Benzene, are removed from the toxic content restriction. Instead, for cobalt, the DoH will actively monitor ongoing research and development. Testing will be required when there is more hazard data and information available. For benzene, it is currently monitored in drinking water and in air by Federal agencies including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) which has already specified hazardous limits in consumer products.Read MoreHealth Canada Proposes New Corded Window Coverings RegulationOn June 17, 2017, the Health Canada (HC) proposed Corded Window Coverings Regulations through Canada Gazette. The proposed regulations will repeal current Corded Window Coverings Regulations, SOR/2016-172.Instead of referencing to national standard in the current regulation, SOR/2016-172, the proposed regulations establish specifications to corded window coverings and they are summarized below:Small partsLead contentUnreachable cordsReachable cord (one free end and two consecutive contact pointsLoop created by reachable cordTwo reachable cordsInformation and advertisingInstructions and warningThe regulation shall come into force six months after the day they are published in the Canada Gazette, Part II.Read MoreCanada Opens Consultation on the Proposed Regulatory Approach Regarding Formaldehyde in Composite Wood ProductsIn August, Canada Environment and Climate Changes opens a consultation on the proposed regulatory approach to reduce the emission of formaldehyde from composite wood products. The regulation is intended to be proposed through Canada Gazette later in 2018.The proposed regulatory approach aims to reduce formaldehyde exposure from indoor air.In the proposed regulatory approach, it is required that all composite wood products, including laminated products and finished goods made from composite wood products, comply with emission standards for formaldehyde. The Government of Canada is considering the CSA standard and regulatory approach taken in US and other jurisdictions as models for designing the proposed regulation.Read MoreAsia NewsChina MIIT Proposes Draft Compliance Catalog and Exemption List for China RoHS 2On June 29, 2017, China Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the People’s Republic of China (MIIT) published a draft Compliance Catalog and Exemption List for China Administrative Measures for Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Product (RoHS 2). The documents aim to help the industry to achieve the goal of China RoHS 2 to lower the risk from hazardous substances.There are two documents drafted and they are summarized below:The drafted Compliance Catalog defines various household appliances and electronic devices which are within the scope of China RoHS 2.The drafted exemption list specifies limits for restricted heavy metals according to the product type. It also lists the products for which the restriction does not apply.Read MoreChina Standards - Summary of UpdatesRecently, the China Standardization Administration of the People’s Republic of China (SAC) publishes several Notices regarding updates to China standards, including newly issued standards and revised standards. The standards cover different consumer products including, but not limited to, textiles and footwear.Some examples of the updated standards are listed below: Standard No. Standard Names Effective Date GB/T 2660-2017 Shirts and blouses December 1, 2017 GB/T 2662-2017 Cotton Clothing December 1, 2017 GB/T 2667-2017 Shirt Specifications December 1, 2017 GB/T 4146.2-2017 Textiles—Man-made fibers—Part 2: Terms of products December 1, 2017 GB/T 8629-2017 Textiles—Domestic washing and drying procedures for textile testing December 1, 2017 GB/T 22756-2017 Leather sandals December 1, 2017 GB/T 24218.16-2017 Textiles—Test methods for nonwovens—Part 16: Determination of resistance to penetration by water (hydrostatic pressure) December 1, 2017 GB/T 24218.17-2017 Textiles—Test methods for nonwovens—Part 17: Determination of resistance to penetration by water (spray impact) December 1, 2017 GB/T 33610.2-2017 Textiles—Determination of deodorant property—Part 2:Detector tube method December 1, 2017 GB/T 33611-2017 Textiles—Determination of short chain 4-(1,1,3,3- tetramethylbutyl)phenol ethoxylate December 1, 2017 GB/T 33618-2017 Textiles—Test method for visible smoke release and heat release properties during combustion process December 1, 2017 GB/T 33729-2017 Textiles—Tests for colour fastness—Cotton rubbing cloth December 1, 2017 GB/T 33734-2017 Woven bedding for infants December 1, 2017 Read MoreSubscribe to our Regulatory UpdatesUnsubscribe at any time. 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