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Eurofins >> Consumer Product Testing >> Media Centre >> News >> Consumer Products | Monthly bulletin | September 2019

Consumer Products | Monthly bulletin | September 2019

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Regulatory news - Eurofins updates

 

Regulatory news


 

Europe

 

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.

 

Better labels for detergents

 

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.

 

Regulatory updates

 

Below a summary table with recent regulation proposal notified to European Commission (Non-exhaustive):

 

Notification number

Countries

Title

2019/360/IRL

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

 

Standards updates

 

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.

 

Reference

Title

Date of Withdrawal (*)

Supersedes

EN 686:2019

Resilient floor coverings - Specification for plain and decorative linoleum on a foam backing

2019-12-31

EN 686:2011

EN 687:2019

Resilient floor coverings - Specification for plain and decorative linoleum on a corkment backing

2019-11-30

EN 687:2011

EN 14619:2019

Roller sports equipment - Kick scooters - Safety requirements and test methods

2020-01-31

EN 14619:2015

EN 17224:2019

Determination of compressive shear strength of wood adhesives at elevated temperatures

2020-01-31

 

EN ISO 11343:2019

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

EN ISO 11343:2005

EN ISO 22631:2019

Adhesives - Test method for adhesives for floor and wall coverings - Peel test (ISO 22631:2019)

2020-01-31

EN 1372:2015

EN ISO 22632:2019

Adhesives - Test method for adhesives for floor and wall coverings - Shear test (ISO 22632:2019)

2020-01-31

EN 1373:2015

EN ISO 2431:2019

Paints and varnishes - Determination of flow time by use of flow cups (ISO 2431:2019)

2020-01-31

EN ISO 2431:2011

EN 13697:2015+A1:2019

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

 

EN 17214:2019

Visual assessment of furniture surfaces

2020-01-31

 

EN ISO 22635:2019

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

EN 1903:2015

EN ISO 22637:2019

Adhesives - Test of adhesive for floor covering - Determination of the electrical resistance of adhesive films and composites (ISO 22637:2019)

2020-01-31

EN 13415:2010

 

Germany

 

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.

 

UK

 

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.

 

 

US

 

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”.

 

Standards updates

 

Below a summary table with some recent ASTM standards updates:

 

Reference

Title

ASTM F2057 - 19

Standard Safety Specification for Clothing Storage Units

ASTM E2312 - 11(2019)

Standard Practice for Tests of Cleanroom Materials

 

Eurofins updates  


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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.