Eurofins | August 2019 regulatory Newsflash compilation | Toys & Childcare

Europe

EN 71-14:2018 for trampolines listed as harmonised standard under Toy Safety Directive

On 23^rd July 2019, the European Commission has published “Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2019/1254 of 22 July 2019 on harmonised standards on the safety of toys drafted in support of Directive 2009/48/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council”, in the Official Journal.

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US

US CPSC proposes to publish Safety Standard for Gates and Enclosures

On 8^th July 2019, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a proposed rule on Federal Register for gates and enclosures under Section 104(b) of the CPSIA.

This proposed rule 16 CFR 1239 requires that each gate and enclosure must comply with all applicable provisions of ASTM F1004-19, Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Expansion Gates and Expandable Enclosures, which was adopted on June 1, 2019. It also amends the list of notices of requirements in 16 CFR 1112 to include safety standard for gates and enclosures.

Comments can be submitted by September 23, 2019.

Click here for the details.

Standards Updates

Below a summary table with some recent ASTM standards updates:

US | Vermont

Vermont Passes Children’s Products Reporting Rule Amendment

On 19^th 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 31^st 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 1^st 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 1^st 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 14^th 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 52 alerts regarding Childcare articles, equipment and toys have been reported, from week 25 until week 28 of 2019.

US

From 21^st June to 15^th July 2019, CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) has published the following recalls: 3 recalls regarding Toys, Childcare and children’s products.