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Consumer Products | Q4 2020

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Regulatory news

 


 

Europe

 

Harmonised marking specifications for single-use plastics products

 

On 18th December 2020, the European Commission published the following regulation related to single-use plastics:

 

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/2151 of 17 December 2020 laying down rules on harmonised marking specifications on single-use plastic products listed in Part D of the Annex to Directive (EU) 2019/904 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment.

 

Below, a summary table of the harmonised marking specifications:

 

Harmonised marking specifications
(printed marking on the packaging)

Annex I

Sanitary towels (pads)

(with the surface area of 10 cm2 or more)

Tampons and tampon applicators

(with the surface area of 10 cm2 or more)

 

Annex II

Wet wipes
(pre-wetted personal care and domestic wipes with the surface area of 10 cm2 or more)

 

Annex III

Tobacco products with filters and filters marketed for use in combination with tobacco products (with the surface area of 10 cm2 or more)

 

Harmonised marking specifications
(printed marking on Beverage cups)

Annex IV

Beverage cups made partly from plastic

Beverage cups made wholly from plastic (printed marking or the following engraved/embossed marking)

 

Placed on the market before 4 July 2022 may be affixed by means of stickers.

Note: the printed marking are available in 23 languages of Europe Union in the Official Journal of the European Union.

 

The Regulation available further information about requirements of position, size, design and others relevant points for marking. It shall apply from 3 July 2021.

 

Amending Annex I of General Product Safety Directive

 

On 1st December 2020, the European Commission published the following amendments related to General Product Safety Directive.

 

Read more >>

 

Ecolabel criteria for electronic displays

 

On 1st December 2020, the European Commission published the following amendments related to Ecolabel criteria for electronic displays.

 

Read more >>

 

Ecolabel criteria for printed paper, stationery paper, and paper carrier bag products

 

On 1st December 2020, the European Commission published the following amendments related to Ecolabel criteria for printed paper, stationery paper, and paper carrier bag products.

 

Read more >>

 

Extending the period of validity of the ecological criteria for textile and footwear products

 

On 1st December 2020, the European Commission published the following amendments related to Ecolabel criteria for textile and footwear products.

 

Read more >>

 

SCIP database ready for use

 

On 28th October 2020, The Substances of Concern In articles or in complex objects (Products) (SCIP) database was launched by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). Companies supplying articles containing substances of very high concern (SVHCs) must submit information on these articles to ECHA, as from 5 January 2021. Consumers and waste operators will be able to access and use the data from February 2021.

 

For more information, consult the ECHA website here.

 

Publications by European Commission

 

The below table summarises recent publications by the Official Journal of the European Union:

 

Date

Reference

Title

02/10/2020

C/2020/6809

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1369 of 29 September 2020 amending Annex I to Council Regulation (EEC) No 2658/87 on the tariff and statistical nomenclature and on the Common Customs Tariff.

 

Creation of additional TARIC subheadings for different protective face masks, in accordance with their filtering capacities.

27/10/2020

EESC-2018-00201-AS

Goods package.

30/10/2020

32020R1577

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1577 of 21 September 2020 amending Annex I to Council Regulation (EEC) No 2658/87 on the tariff and statistical nomenclature and on the Common Customs Tariff.

22/12/2020

C/2020/9381

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/2179 of 16 December 2020 concerning the classification of certain goods in the Combined Nomenclature.

 

Standards updates

 

Please see the below table summarising the most recent standard 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.

 

(**) Date of availability: date when the definitive text in the official language versions of an approved CEN/CENELEC publication is distributed by the Central Secretariat.

 

CENELEC / CEN

Paints and varnishes

Reference

Title

Date of Withdrawal (*)

Supersedes

EN ISO 2409:2020

Paints and varnishes - Cross-cut test (ISO 2409:2020)

2021-03-31

EN ISO 2409:2013

EN ISO 2810:2020

Paints and varnishes - Natural weathering of coatings - Exposure and assessment (ISO 2810:2020)

2021-03-31

EN ISO 2810:2004

EN ISO 4625-1:2020

Binders for paints and varnishes - Determination of softening point - Part 1: Ring-and-ball method (ISO 4625-1:2020)

2021-02-28

EN ISO 4625-1:2006

EN ISO 4629-3:2020

Binders for paints and varnishes - Determination of hydroxyl value - Part 3: Rapid test (ISO 4629-3:2018)

2021-03-31

 

EN ISO 15528:2020

Paints, varnishes and raw materials for paints and varnishes - Sampling (ISO 15528:2020)

2021-03-31

EN ISO 8130-9:1999
EN ISO 15528:2013


EN ISO 20266:2020

Paints and varnishes - Determination of image clarity (degree of sharpness of reflected or transmitted image) (ISO 20266:2018)

2021-06-30

 

EN ISO 21545:2020

Paints and varnishes - Determination of settling (ISO 21545:2018)

2021-06-30

 

EN ISO 21546:2020

Paints and varnishes - Determination of the resistance to rubbing using a linear abrasion tester (crockmeter) (ISO 21546:2019)

2021-06-30

 

EN ISO 21683:2020

Pigments and extenders - Determination of experimentally simulated nano-object release from paints, varnishes and pigmented plastics (ISO 21683:2019)

2021-03-31

 

EN ISO 22516:2020

Paints and varnishes - Practical determination of non-volatile and volatile matter content during application (ISO 22516:2019)

2021-06-30

 

EN ISO 22518:2020

Paints and varnishes - Determination of solvents in water-thinnable coating materials - Gas-chromatographic method (ISO 22518:2019)

2021-06-30

 

EN ISO 22553-1:2020

Paints and varnishes - Electro-deposition coatings - Part 1: Vocabulary (ISO 22553-1:2019)

2021-06-30

 

EN ISO 22553-2:2020

Paints and varnishes - Electro-deposition coatings - Part 2: Throwing power (ISO 22553-2:2019)

2021-06-30

 

EN ISO 22553-3:2020

Paints and varnishes - Electro-deposition coatings - Part 3: Compatibility of electro-deposition coating materials with a reference oil (ISO 22553-3:2019)

2021-06-30

 

EN ISO 22553-4:2020

Paints and varnishes - Electro-deposition coatings - Part 4: Compatibility of electro-deposition coating materials with liquid, paste-like and solid foreign materials (ISO 22553-4:2019)

2021-06-30

 

EN ISO 22553-5:2020

Paints and varnishes - Electro-deposition coatings - Part 5: Determination of sieve residue (ISO 22553-5:2019)

2021-06-30

 

EN ISO 22553-6:2020

Paints and varnishes - Electro-deposition coatings - Part 6: Entry marks (ISO 22553-6:2019)

2021-06-30

 

EN ISO 22557:2020

Paints and varnishes - Scratch test using a spring-loaded pen (ISO 22557:2019)

2021-06-30

 

EN ISO 22970:2020

Paints and varnishes - Test method for evaluation of adhesion of elastic adhesives on coatings by peel test, peel strength test and tensile lap-shear strength test with additional stress by condensation test or cataplasm storage (ISO 22970:2019)

2021-06-30

 

EN ISO 23321:2020

Solvents for paints and varnishes - Demineralized water for industrial applications - Specification and test methods (ISO 23321:2019)

2021-06-30

 

EN ISO 23168:2020

Paints and varnishes - Determination of water content - Gas-chromatographic method (ISO 23168:2019)

2021-06-30

 

Reference

Title

Date of Availability (**)

Supersedes

CEN ISO/TR 19402:2020

Paints and varnishes - Adhesion of coatings (ISO/TR 19402:2018)

2020-10-07

 

CEN ISO/TR 21555:2020

Paints and varnishes - Overview of test methods on hardness and wear resistance of coatings (ISO/TR 21555:2019)

2020-10-07

 

Miscellaneous subjects

Reference

Title

Date of Withdrawal (*)

Supersedes

EN 113-1:2020

Durability of wood and wood-based products - Test method against wood destroying basidiomycetes - Part 1: Assessment of biocidal efficacy of wood preservatives

2021-06-30

EN 113:1996/A1:2004
EN 113:1996

EN 113-2:2020

Durability of wood and wood-based products - Test method against wood destroying basidiomycetes - Part 2: Assessment of inherent or enhanced durability

2021-06-30

EN 113:1996/A1:2004
EN 113:1996
CEN/TS 15083-1:2005

EN 266:2020

Wall coverings in roll form - Specification for textile wall coverings

2021-03-31

EN 266:1991

EN 378-1:2016+A1:2020

Refrigerating systems and heat pumps - Safety and environmental requirements - Part 1: Basic requirements, definitions, classification and selection criteria

2021-04-30

 

EN ISO 473:2020

Lithopone pigments - General requirements and methods of testing (ISO 473:2019)

2021-04-30

 

EN ISO 7010:2020/A1:2020

Graphical symbols - Safety colours and safety signs - Registered safety signs - Amendment 1 (ISO 7010:2019/Amd 1:2020)

2021-04-30

 

EN ISO 7438:2020

Metallic materials - Bend test (ISO 7438:2020)

2021-04-30

EN ISO 7438:2016

EN ISO 10874:2012/A1:2020

Resilient, textile and laminate floor coverings - Classification - Amendment 1: Elimination of class 22+ (ISO 10874:2009/Amd 1:2020)

2021-05-31

 

EN ISO 11127-4:2020

Preparation of steel substrates before application of paints and related products - Test methods for non-metallic blast-cleaning abrasives - Part 4: Assessment of hardness by a glass slide test (ISO 11127-4:2020)

2021-04-30

EN ISO 11127-4:2011

EN ISO 11553-1:2020/A11:2020

Safety of machinery - Laser processing machines - Part 1: Laser safety requirements (ISO 11553-1:2020)

2021-05-31

 

EN ISO 12460-3:2020

Wood-based panels - Determination of formaldehyde release - Part 3: Gas analysis method (ISO 12460-3:2020)

2021-04-30

EN ISO 12460-3:2015

EN 12472:2020

Method for the simulation of accelerated wear and corrosion for the detection of nickel release from coated items

2021-03-31


EN 12472:2005+A1:2009

EN 13451-1:2020

Swimming pool equipment - Part 1: General safety requirements and test methods for equipment installed in pools for public use

2021-05-31

EN 13451-1:2011+A1:2016

EN 13623:2020

Chemical disinfectants and antiseptics - Quantitative suspension test for the evaluation of bactericidal activity against Legionella of chemical disinfectants for aqueous systems - Test method and requirements (phase 2, step 1)

2021-04-30

EN 13623:2010

EN 14960-3:2020

Inflatable play equipment - Part 3: Additional safety requirements and test methods for snappies

2021-03-31

EN 14960:2013

EN 15009:2020

Aerosol containers - Compartmented aerosol dispensers

2021-04-30

EN 15009:2006

EN 16524:2020

Mechanical products - Methodology for reduction of environmental impacts in product design and development

2021-05-31

CEN/TS 16524:2013

Reference

Title

Date of Availability (**)

Supersedes

CEN/TS 17497:2020

Pulp, paper and paperboard - Determination of bisphenol A in extracts from paper and paperboard

2020-11-30

 

CEN/TR 17538:2020

Furniture - Common test equipment - Test foams and mattresses

2020-09-02

 

CEN/TR 17554:2020

Ambient air - Application of EN 16909 for the determination of elemental carbon (EC) and organic carbon (OC) in PM10 and PMcoarse

2020-11-11

 

CEN/TR 17557:2020

Surface active agents - Bio-based surfactants - Overview on bio-based surfactants

2020-12-02

 

 

UK

 

Planning beyond the Brexit transition period

 

UK authorities have published the following articles in relation to goods imported into Great Britain following the end of Brexit transition period (non-exhaustive list):

 

For further information about the Brexit transition, consult the GOC.UK website here.

 

For assisting and having information about the Brexit, Eurofins has produced a guide about UKCA Mark & CE Marking Changes to product compliance, certification, testing and market access which should answer many of your questions. Click here to get it.

 

Spain

 

Guidelines for masks and protective clothing manufacturing

 

The Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism has published new documents and updates related to masks. See below a list of recent publications:

 

Hygienic masks: General and frequently asked questions

 

 

Technical publications

 

Please find below a table summarising the most recent technical publications (non-exhaustive):

 

Date

Countries

Entity

Title

23/09/2020

Europe

European Commission

Public consultation: SCHEER preliminary Opinion on e-cigarettes

21/10/2020

Europe

ECHA

The danger of e-cigarettes

31/07/2020

France

ANSES

Imitation food: vigilance needed to prevent the risk of accidents

28/10/2020

France

ANSES

Washable cloth masks sold by the brand DIM: assessment of the risks relating to fabric treatment using silver zeolite and silver-copper zeolite

01/10/2020

France

DGCCRF

Factsheet on liquid detergents in capsules

28/10/2020

France

ANSES

Tobacco and vaping products: ANSES is publishing an unprecedented overview of products sold in France

07/10/2020

Germany

BfR

Dry ice: carbon dioxide poisoning is possible

09/11/2020

Norway

Norwegian Environment Agency

Control of online stores products 2020: Chemical analysis of regulated substances in sports and leisure products, and labeling control

 

US

 

California Proposition 65 Settlement for leather gloves

 

As a result of several 60-day notices related to the content of Chromium VI in leather gloves, several settlements and judgements were issued which require that these type of products have a warning label on the covered leather gloves that contain Chromium VI. Below, examples of warnings according to advise from the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA).

 

Standard warning:

 

WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including chromium (hexavalent compounds), which is known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information, go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.

 

Short-form warning (for small products):

 

WARNING: Cancer and Reproductive Harm - www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.

 

For further information about Proposition 65 Warnings, consult the Proposition 65 website here.

 

Relevant publications

 

Date

Countries

Entity

Title

18/09/2020

US

Federal Register

Virginia Graeme baker pool and spa safety act drain cover standard

30/09/2020

US

Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)

Briefing Package Status Update: 16 CFR Part 1610 Rule Update and Consideration for Adding Spandex Fibers to the List of Currently Exempted Fibers from Testing

02/10/2020

US

Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)

Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals: Procedures for Export of Noncomplying Products

02/10/2020

US

Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)

Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals:Safety Standard for Multi-Purpose Lighters

26/10/2020

US

Federal Register

Consumer product safety commission

16 CFR Parts 1112, 1130 and 1241

Safety Standard for Crib Mattresses

30/10/2020

US

Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)

Standard for the Flammability of Mattresses and Mattress Pads

02/11/2020

US

International Trade Commission

Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals: Certain Pocket Lighters

05/11/2020

US

Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)

CPSC COVID 19 Guidance: face coverings, gowns, gloves, and disinfectant and cleaning products. (Not an official CPSC policy position).

09/11/2020

US

International Trade Commission

Investigations; Determinations, Modifications, and Rulings, etc.:  Certain Furniture Products Finished with Decorative Wood Grain Paper and Components Thereof

18/11/2020

US

International Trade Commission

Complaint:  Certain Sponge or Foam Products

24/11/2020

US

Federal Register

Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request-Safety Standard for Bicycle Helmets

 

Standards updates

 

See below a table summarising some recent ASTM standards updates:

 

Reference

Title

ASTM D5548 - 13(2020)

Standard Guide for Evaluating Color Transfer or Color Loss of Dyed Fabrics in Laundering (Not Suitable for Detergent or Washing Machine Rankings)

ASTM F1955 - 20

Standard Test Method for Flammability of Sleeping Bags

ASTM F1358 / F1358M - 20

Standard Test Method for Effects of Flame Impingement on Materials Used in Protective Clothing Not Designated Primarily for Flame Resistance

 

China

 

China further controls the use of plastic products

 

On 31st August 2020, the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China published a notice on further strengthening the work of Plastic Pollution Control in the field of commerce.

 

The notice required that local commercial authorities to carry out the periodic task of prohibited and restricted plastic products in accordance with the specifications and deadlines. At the same time, it also required an improvement to the supervision mechanism for commercial law enforcement, and a strengthened policy support and guarantee and publicity and guidance etc.

 

The completed notification can be found here (in Chinese).

 

China released GB Standards relevant to Infant, Textiles & Footwear, FCM and other consumer products

 

Recently, the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) and the Standardization Administration of the People’s Republic of China (SAC) published announcement No.22 of 2020 and announcement No. 23 of 2020 (in Chinese) to approve and release a batch of GB standards, which are closely related to our industries.

 

The below table lists some of these standards (non-exhaustive list):

 

Standard No.

Standard Name

Superseded Standard

Implementation Date

Infant Products

GB 38995-2020

Infant feeding bottles and teats

Initial

2021-11-01

Textiles & Footwear

GB/T 4146.1-2020

Textiles—Man-made fibres—Part 1: Generic names

GB/T 4146.1-2009

2021-05-01

GB/T 18885-2020

Technical specifications of ecological textiles

GB/T 18885-2009

2021-05-01

GB/T 39104.1-2020

Textiles—Determination of antifungal activity of textile products—Part 1: Luminescence method

Initial

2021-05-01

GB/T 39104.2-2020

Textiles—Determination of antifungal activity of textile products—Part 2: Plate count method

Initial

2021-05-01

GB/T 39109-2020

Textiles—Determination of benzophenone ultraviolet absorbents

Initial

2021-05-01

GB/T 39103-2020

Superfine woven wool fabric labelling—Requirements for Super S code definition

Initial

2021-05-01

GB/T 3903.13-2020

Footwear—Test methods for outsoles—Dimensional stability

GB/T 3903.13-2005

2021-05-01

GB/T 3903.26-2020

Footwear—Test methods for stiffeners and toepuffs—Bondability

GB/T 3903.26-2008

2021-05-01

GB/T 39113-2020

Footwear—Critical substances potentially present in footwear and footwear components—Determination of phenol

Initial

2021-05-01

FCM

GB/T 18006.3-2020

General requirement of degradable disposable tableware

GB/T 18006.1-2009

2020-12-31

Others

GB/T 39107-2020

Determination of volatile organic compounds content for consumer products—Static headspace sampling method

Initial

2020-10-21

GB/T 39110-2020

Consumer product—Plastics—Rapid screening of phthalates

Initial

2020-10-21

GB/T 39181-2020

Consumer products―Polyester fiber and ABS material―Rapid determination method of fragrance allergens

Initial

2020-10-21

GB/T 39183-2020

Determination of the migration quantity of nitrosamines in consumer products—Gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

Initial

2020-10-21

 

Other relevant publications

 

Please find a table below, summarising the most recent technical publications (non-exhaustive):

 

Date

Countries

Entity

Title

29/09/2020

US

OEHHA

New Proposition 65 Fact Sheet on Flame Retardants

11/09/2020

Mexico

Official Mexican Gazette of the Federation

DRAFT Official Mexican Standard PROY-NOM-033/1-SCFI-2019, Gold, silver, platinum and palladium articles-Part 1-Commercial information and analysis methods (it will cancel NOM-033-SCFI-1994). (In spanish)

16/10/2020

Canada

Health Canada

Health Canada's Letter to the Corded Window Covering Product Industry (in English and French)

29/12/2020

Canada

Health Canada

Health Canada published the following updates: