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Eurofins Personal Protective Equipment Bimonthly Bulletin (May-June 2021)

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Eurofins newsflash Softlines and Leather

 

FRANCE

 

Technical publications

 

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

 

Date

Entity

Title

09/04/2021

DGCCRF

Deception on the origin of masks: the DGCCRF is investigating a company marketing surgical and FFP2 masks falsely presented as being made in France.

29/04/2021

DGCCRF

Control of personal protective equipment (PPE)

The economic sector of personal protective equipment (PPE) has many operators, some of whom are unaware of the regulatory provisions applicable to these products. The national control plan of the DGCCRF in 2019 targeted two main product categories as a priority: PPE for nautical or aquatic sports (excluding diving) and protective articles for DIY or leisure work.

 

 

SPAIN

 

Guidelines for masks and protective clothing manufacturing

 

On 8 June 2021, the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism published a new document related to masks and protective clothing. See the document below:

 

Respiratory protection masks (PPE)

 

 

 

U.S.

 

Vermont Passes Senate Bill S.20 into Law - Chemicals in Consumer Goods

 

On 18 May 2021, the governor of Vermont signed Senate Bill S.20 into law, which regulates several chemicals in certain consumer goods and amends the list of chemicals of high concern to children (CHCCs). The Act will be implemented in phases, starting 1 July, 2021.

 

The definitions of "Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances", "Ortho-phthalates” and " Bisphenols " in the Act are as follows:

 

  • "Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances” mean a family of fluorinated organic chemicals containing at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom.
  • "Ortho-phthalates” means any member of the class of organic chemicals that are esters of phthalic acid containing two carbon chains located in the ortho position.
  • “Bisphenols” means any member of a class of industrial chemicals that contain two hydroxyphenyl groups.

 

Summary table 1:

Substance

Scope with some exemptions

Requirement

PFAS

Personal protective equipment

Notice statement

Ski wax
Class B firefighting foam
Class B firefighting foams for use at a terminal
Residential rugs and carpets
Aftermarket stain and water-resistant treatments for rugs or carpets
Food Packaging

Prohibited

Effective date: Personal protective equipment, 1 July, 2021
Class B firefighting foam, 1 July, 2022
Class B firefighting foam used at a terminal, 1 January, 2024
Others, 1 July, 2023

Ortho-phthalates

Food Packaging

Prohibited

Effective date: July 1, 2023

Bisphenols

Food Packaging

Dept. of Health (DOH) may adopt rules for prohibition

Effective date: 2 years after the DOH adopts the rule

 

A Certificate of Compliance (CoC) should be produced by the manufacturer within 30 days upon request by the Attorney General.

 

Summary table 2:

Substance

Scope with some exemptions

Requirement

PFHxS, PFHpA, PFNA

Children’s products

Add them as chemicals of high concern to children

Effective date: 1 July, 2022

 

For more information please click here.

 

Standards updates

 

The table below summarises some recent ASTM standards updates:

Reference

Title

ASTM F3258 - 21

Standard Specification for Protectors for Rubber Insulating Gloves Meeting Specific Performance Requirements

 

 

 

INTERNATIONAL

 

Regulatory proposals notified to WTO

 

The table below summarises the most recent notifications made to the World Trade Organization (WTO) (non-exhaustive):

 

Notification number

Countries

Title

G/TBT/N/PER/131

Peru

Technical Document: Guidelines for the manufacturing of reusable cloth face-masks for use by the community

The notified Ministerial Resolution No. 558-2021/MINSA (Ministry of Health) is aimed at persons and companies involved in the manufacturing of cloth face masks for use by the community to reduce the spread of the virus responsible for COVID-19/. This aims to establish parameters for the materials, design, manufacturing, finishing, labelling, packaging and testing methods of reusable face masks for use by the community.

 

 

 

PRODUCT RECALLS/ ALERTS

 

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

 

Europe

 

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

 

The following 31 alerts regarding Personal Protective equipment were reported between week 16 and week 24 of 2021.

 

Type of Risk

Number of alerts

Notes

Health risk/ other

22

Particle filter mask
The particle/filter retention of the material is insufficient and the total filtration capacity of the mask is insufficient.
It does not comply with the Personal Protective Equipment Regulation and with EN 149.

7

Particle filter mask
The product bears a CE marking but its filtering capacity has not been tested by a relevant competent European conformity assessment body.
It does not comply with the Personal Protective Equipment Regulation and with EN 149.

Injuries

1

Fall arrester
If the openable side plate is subject to a heavy load, it may cause the locking system to fail, leading to injuries to the user.
The product does not comply with the Personal Protective Equipment Regulation

Microbiological

1

Particle filter mask
It does not fulfil the health and safety requirements; thus, even if combined with other recommended measures, it may not properly protect the user.
It does not comply with the Personal Protective Equipment Regulation and with EN 149.

Suffocation

1

Particle filter mask
The physical resistance of the filtering material is too high. It does not comply with the Personal Protective Equipment Regulation and with EN 149.

 

 

US

 

Between 21 April and 20 June 2021, the CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) published the following recalls0 recall PPE products.