Consumer Products | Monthly bulletin | September 2019
Regulatory news - Eurofins updates
Lack of supply chain communication on SVHCs in articles
On 1st September 2017, the Project LIFE AskREACH - Enabling REACH consumer information rights on chemicals in articles by IT-tools began.
It is a project with the aim to increase the demand for articles free from SVHCs (Substances of Very High Concern) through the right of consumers to be informed on the composition of articles. It would consist in an app where consumers can consult which articles contain SVHCs.
At its meeting in March 2019, the launch of the AskREACH app was indicated for October 2019.
In July 2019, the following report was published:
Awareness and communication on SVHCs in articles: Surveys of consumers and article suppliers
This report indicates the result to the EU project survey done to 14,000 citizens and to more than 180 article’s suppliers.
The aim is to know the consumers’ current awareness related to substances in articles and to get to know companies’ current situation in terms of awareness and implementation.
The results show that half of the companies do not have ready information to respond to consumer requests about substances of very high concern (SVHCs) and consequently, lack of supply chain communications on SVHCs in articles.
On 15th July 2019, A.I.S.E. (International Association for Soaps, detergents and Maintenance Products) published its opinion about the European Commission’s review of the Detergents Regulation which identifies opportunities to improve hazard communication to consumers including communication through digital means.
For getting the A.I.S.E.'s public statement click here.
Below a summary table with recent regulation proposal notified to European Commission (Non-exhaustive):
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Notification number |
Countries |
Title |
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Ireland |
Microbeads (Prohibition) Bill 2019
The purpose of the Bill is to prohibit the manufacture, placing on the market for sale (or gratis), supply, import or export of detergents, household and industrial cleaning products, abrasive scouring agents, and rinse-off cosmetic products, that contain intentionally added plastic microbeads. The Bill also prohibits the disposal of substances containing plastic microbeads down the drain or directly into freshwater or marine environments. The Bill will make breaches of these prohibitions an offence |
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.
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Reference |
Title |
Date of Withdrawal (*) |
Supersedes |
|
Resilient floor coverings - Specification for plain and decorative linoleum on a foam backing |
2019-12-31 |
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Resilient floor coverings - Specification for plain and decorative linoleum on a corkment backing |
2019-11-30 |
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Roller sports equipment - Kick scooters - Safety requirements and test methods |
2020-01-31 |
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Determination of compressive shear strength of wood adhesives at elevated temperatures |
2020-01-31 |
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Adhesives - Determination of dynamic resistance to cleavage of high-strength adhesive bonds under impact wedge conditions - Wedge impact method (ISO 11343:2019) |
2020-01-31 |
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Adhesives - Test method for adhesives for floor and wall coverings - Peel test (ISO 22631:2019) |
2020-01-31 |
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Adhesives - Test method for adhesives for floor and wall coverings - Shear test (ISO 22632:2019) |
2020-01-31 |
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Paints and varnishes - Determination of flow time by use of flow cups (ISO 2431:2019) |
2020-01-31 |
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Chemical disinfectants and antiseptics - Quantitative non-porous surface test for the evaluation of bactericidal and/or fungicidal activity of chemical disinfectants used in food, industrial, domestic and institutional areas - Test method and requirements without mechanical action (phase 2, step 2) |
2020-01-31 |
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Visual assessment of furniture surfaces |
2020-01-31 |
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Adhesives - Test method for adhesives for plastic or rubber floor coverings or wall coverings - Determination of dimensional changes after accelerated ageing (ISO 22635:2019) |
2020-01-31 |
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Adhesives - Test of adhesive for floor covering - Determination of the electrical resistance of adhesive films and composites (ISO 22637:2019) |
2020-01-31 |
Reduction of consumers' exposure to PAHs
On 9th August 2019, the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) published an article about its work and recommendations to adapt the maximum levels for the GS certification mark to match the prevailing technical standards.
For more information click here in BfR’s website.
Less Toxic chemicals at home
On 16th July 2019, the Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) published its report about toxic chemicals around us at home.
Some of the main points are chemical substances in food contact materials and chemical labelling in consumer products within others.
EAC recommends that manufactures and importers are more transparent about the chemicals used and recommends UK Government to ban the use of some chemicals in food contact materials.
New name for the Bureau of electronic and appliance repair, home furnishings, and thermal insulation
In July 2018, the licensing of household movers became part of the California Department of Consumer Affairs as it moved under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of electronic and appliance repair, home furnishings, and thermal insulation (BEARHFTI). For this reason, in January 2019, BEARHTFI changed its name to the Bureau of household goods and services (BHGS) to better reflect its overall purpose and mission.
BHGS is in charge of registration and regulation of electronics and appliance repair businesses and has jurisdiction over the sale and administration of service contracts on various consumer products. BHGS licenses and regulates the manufacture and sale (retail, wholesale and import) of upholstered furniture and bedding, supply dealers, custom upholsterers, bedding sanitizers, and the manufacture of thermal insulation products, tests for flammability and sanitation and household movers.
In May 2019, BHGS revised and published the Home Furnishing and Thermal Insulation Act and Rules and Regulations.
It is important to highlight that the labeling for Upholstered Furniture and Bedding and for Bulk Filling Material should be updated with the new name BHGS.
All bulk filling materials for Upholstered Furniture and Bedding according to this act and to Bulletin Nº 117-2013, shall have a label with the following statement:
''THIS PRODUCT MEETS THE REQUIREMENTS OF BUREAU OF HOUSEHOLD GOODS AND SERVICES TECHNICAL BULLETIN NO. 117-2013.''
Upholstered furniture conforming to the requirements of Section 1374(a) and 1374(b) of these regulations shall have a label permanently attached to the article, in plain view, stating the following:
“NOTICE THIS ARTICLE MEETS ALL FLAMMABILITY REQUIREMENTS OF CALIFORNIA BUREAU OF HOUSEHOLD GOODS AND SERVICES TECHNICAL BULLETINS 116 AND 117-2013. CARE SHOULD BE EXERCISED NEAR OPEN FLAME OR WITH BURNING CIGARETTES”.
Upholstered articles conforming to Section 1374(a) but which may not conform to Section 1374(b) shall have a label permanently attached to the article, in plain view, stating the following:
“NOTICE THIS ARTICLE MEETS THE FLAMMABILITY REQUIREMENTS OF CALIFORNIA BUREAU OF HOUSEHOLD GOODS AND SERVICES TECHNICAL BULLETIN 117-2013. CARE SHOULD BE EXERCISED NEAR OPEN FLAME OR WITH BURNING CIGARETTES”.
Below a summary table with some recent ASTM standards updates:
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Reference |
Title |
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Standard Safety Specification for Clothing Storage Units |
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Standard Practice for Tests of Cleanroom Materials |
Eurofins Consumer Product Testing to Open New Laboratory in South India
This new location is expected to be fully operational by the first week of November
With more than 8000 square feet area, this laboratory based in Tirupur (South India) will be equipped with state-of-the-art technology offering the most comprehensive service portfolio to the Textile and Home textile industry. The laboratory testing scope will cover colorfastness properties, Mechanical, Physico-chemical & RSL test parameters along with special claimed textile testing parameters.
