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Eurofins >> Consumer Product Testing >> Media Centre >> News >> Eurofins | August 2019 regulatory Newsflash compilation | Softlines & Leather

Eurofins | August 2019 regulatory Newsflash compilation | Softlines & Leather

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Eurofins newsflash Softlines and Leather

 

Europe

 

Standards Updates

 

Below a summary table with some recent standards updates and upcoming dates of withdrawal (non-exhaustive):

 

(*) 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.

 

(**) Date of withdrawal: latest date by which national standards conflicting with an EN (and HD for CENELEC) have to be withdrawn.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 Availability (*)

Supersedes

CEN/TR 17376:2019

Textiles - Safety of children's clothing - Guidance on the use of EN 14682:2014 Cords and drawstrings on children's clothing - Specifications

2019-06-19

 

Reference

Title

Date of Withdrawal (**)

Supersedes

EN ISO 1833-27:2019

Textiles - Quantitative chemical analysis - Part 27: Mixtures of cellulose fibres with certain other fibres (method using aluminium sulfate) (ISO 1833-27:2018)

2019-12-31

 

EN ISO 10833:2019

Textile floor coverings - Determination of resistance to damage at cut edges using the modified Vettermann drum test (ISO 10833:2017)

2019-12-31

EN 1814:2005

EN ISO 23910:2019

Leather - Physical and mechanical tests - Measurement of stitch tear resistance (ISO 23910:2019)

2020-01-31

EN ISO 23910:2017

 

US

 

Standards Updates

 

Below a summary table with some recent ASTM standards updates:

 

Reference

Title

ASTM E2228 - 19

Standard Guide for Microscopical Examination of Textile Fibers

 

US | Rhode Island

 

Rhode Island Increases Flame Retardants Levels in Upholstered Bedding and Furniture

 

On July 8, 2019, Rhode Island’s flame retardant Bill H 5119 (“An Act relating to health and safety- upholstered furniture and child products safety”) was signed into law by increasing the maximum amount of any non-polymeric organohalogen flame retardant chemical contained in residential upholstered bedding and furniture manufactured or sold in state from 100 ppm to 1,000 ppm.

 

Non-polymeric organohalogen flame retardant chemical includes any bromine or chlorine bonded to carbon chemical which is added to a plastic, foam, fabric, or textile. Following are exemptions from this rule:

 

  • Internal electric and electronic components of residential upholstered furniture
  • Bedding or residential furniture or bedding sold for use in commercial or public spaces

This act will come into force on 1st January 2020. The prohibition of unsafe children’s products will also apply from 1st January 2020. Products sold or in use prior to this date are not subject to this ban.

 

Click here for more information.

 

US | Vermont

 

Vermont Passes Children’s Products Reporting Rule Amendment

 

On 19th June 2019, Vermont governor signed Bill S.55 into law which amends the existing Chemicals of High Concern (CHCC) reporting rule.

 

CHCC reporting rule requires manufacturers of children’s products to report to the Vermont Department of Health if their product contains CHCC above the threshold from 1 January 2017. Following points are the major amendment of Act 188:

 

  • Manufacturers of children’s products containing a CHCC now shall provide notice to the Department of Health annually instead of biennially. The next reporting deadline will be due by 31st August 2020
  • Manufacturers of children’s products containing a CHCC now shall report the brand name, the product model, and the universal product code if the product has such a code

This amendment came into effect on 1st July 2019.

 

Document (PDF): [Vermont S. 55] in English.

 

Click here to access Health Vermont website.

 

US | Alaska

 

Anchorage, Alaska Approves Flame Retardant Ban

 

Anchorage Assembly unanimously passed Assembly Ordinance 2019-15(S), an ordinance that amends the Anchorage Municipal Code to add a new Chapter 15.100 and a new section which prohibits certain consumer products containing flame retardant chemicals.

 

Beginning from 1st January 2020, no person shall manufacture, sell or distribute any upholstered or reupholstered furniture and juvenile products that contain, or a constituent component of which contain banned flame retardant chemicals exceeding 1,000 parts per million within the municipality including:

 

  • Halogenated, organophosphorus, organonitrogen, or nanoscale flame retardant chemicals
  • Penta or octa mixtures of polybrominated diphenyl ethers, the deca mixture of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), or decabromodiphenyl ether (decaBDE)
  • Antimony
  • Chemical listed as 'designated chemicals' under Section 105440 of the Health and Safety Code
  • Chemical covered in the Washington’s list of Chemicals of High Concern to Children

The following are not covered by this prohibition:

 

  • Used or second-hand products
  • Child restraint systems under 49 CFR 571
  • Electronic products, electronic components of upholstered or reupholstered furniture or juvenile products and any associated casing for those electronic products
  • Children's toys and clothing

Click here for the details.

 

Canada

 

Manitoba’s update repeal of the bedding regulation

 

As already announced in our Eurofins News Flash March 2019 edition, on January 2019, the Government of Manitoba approved the revocation of the Bedding and Other Upholstered or Stuffed Articles Regulation, 78/2004.

 

On 14th June 2019, the Manitoba Consumer Protection Office published a letter providing more information and clarification regarding this Regulation repeal process.

 

Product Recalls/Alerts

 

Below you will find a monthly summary of product recalls and alerts in Europe (Source “RAPEX”) and in the US (Source “CPSC”).

 

Europe

 

RAPEX (European Commission Rapid Alert System for dangerous non-food products – Alerts reported by EU national authorities).

 

The following 16 alerts regarding textile & leather products have been reported, from week 25 until week 28 of 2019.

 

Type of Risk

Number of alerts

Notes

Choking

1

Children's dress: The small beads can be easily detached, generating small parts

Injuries

13

Children’s clothes: Products having drawstrings in the waist area, which are too long and unattached

Bikinis: Having functional cords to be tied at the back area

Dress: having a long belt that hangs below the lower hem of the garment when untied

Strangulation

2

Shirts: there are functional cords in the neck area of the shirt. Products not complying with EN 14682

 

US

 

From 21st June to 15th July 2019, CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) has published the following recalls: 4 recalls regarding textile & leather products.

 

Type of Risk

Number of alerts

Notes

Burn Injuries

3

Women’s beach cover-up and child pajamas fail to meet the flammability standards for clothing textiles

Choking hazard

1

Blanket’s snaps can detach

 

Chem-MAP®

 

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For more information on Ve-MAP please visit the Chem-MAP® website. If you are looking to ensure your products are vegan and would like to discuss Ve-MAP and the certification of Vegan products, contact the Chem-MAP® team today: info@chem-map.com, +44 (0) 1604 679999.

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