Eurofins | April 2019 regulatory Newsflash compilation | Consumer products
Europe
Microplastics in the textile industry – Cross Industry Agreement developments
One of the current hot topics is microplastics pollution and how it can affect the environment and human health.
On 15th March 2019, the European Commission published DECISION (EU) 2019/417 of 8 November 2018 laying down guidelines for the management of the European Union Rapid Information System ‘RAPEX’ established under Article 12 of Directive 2001/95/EC on general product safety and its notification system.
This new decision repeals Decision 2010/15/EU.
Click here for getting the European Commission publication.
Standards Updates
Below a summary table with some recent standards updates and upcoming dates of withdrawal and/or availability (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(*) Date of withdrawal: latest date by which national standards conflicting with an EN (and HD for CENELEC) have to be withdrawn.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.
|
Reference |
Title |
Date of Withdrawal (*) |
Supersedes |
|
Furniture - Children's cots and folding cots for domestic use - Part 1: Safety requirements. |
2017-12-31 |
- |
|
|
Paints and varnishes - Assessment of emissions of substances from coatings into indoor air - Sampling, conditioning and testing. |
2019-08-31 |
||
|
Reference |
Title |
Date of Availability (*) |
Supersedes |
|
Packaging - Requirements for measuring and verifying the four heavy metals and other dangerous substances present in packaging, and their release into the environment - Part 2: Requirements for measuring and verifying dangerous substances present in packaging, and their release into the environment. |
2019-02-13 |
Consultation on household waste measures
On 18th February 2019, UK Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) opened a consultation on Consistency in Household and Business Recycling Collections in England.
The main of points of this consultation are:
- Implementation of a system where 100% cost of collection will be paid by packaging producers
- Implementation of a recycled content threshold tax for April 2022
- A strategy on waste collection (types of waste and frequency of collection)
- A new national plastic bottle return scheme
The deadline for comments is 13th May 2019.
National Pact on plastic packaging
On 21st February 2019, the French authorities published the National Pact on plastic packaging between the Government, French companies and NGOs.
All signatories subscribe to a common vision of the circular economy in which plastic, major source of pollution, never becomes a waste.
The aim of this pact is to reduce marine pollution and adopt more sustainable patterns of consumption and production.
Click here for getting the official publication (in French).
Safety Requirements for Bicycles
On 16th February 2019, the Official Journal of the French Republic published a notice about the application of Decree No. 2016-364 of 29 March 2016 laying down the safety requirements for bicycles with a list of standards that apply to this type of products.
Bicycles according to the Notice of 11 July 2015 may be placed on the market until 13 April 2019 and while supplies last. In case of Electric-assisted cycles, according with NF EN 15194 + A1 (January 2012), the deadline will be April 13, 2020 and while supplies last.
Click here for getting the official publication.
More Safety for clothing storage units
On 27th February 2019, the U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) published a letter about the safety of clothing storage units because of the numerous reported child fatalities between 2000 and 2017.
Bill proposal for electrical cords containing PVC with lead
New York State has recently introduced Bill A05147, which provides that on each seasonal and decorative lighting product manufactured, sold or delivered by a manufacturer or distributed in this state that contains an electrical cord casing made with polyvinyl chloride in which lead is used as a fire-retardant and stabilizer there shall be a warning label.
Click here to access Bill A05147.
Update of the Futon Flammability Requirements Guideline
On February 28, 2019, Health Canada published an updated guide regarding futon flammability requirements under the Mattresses Regulations.
This guide provides information about the safety requirements for futons that are manufactured, imported, advertised or sold in Canada.
For more information or to request a copy of these guidelines, click here to go to Government of Canada’s website.
