Eurofins Personal Protective Equipmente (PPE) Monthly Bulletin | March 2021
EUROPE
Harmonised standards on electrostatic properties
On 5 March 2021, the European Commission published the following amendments related to the addition of harmonised standards for protective clothing:
The following harmonised standards are added to the Annexes to Implementing Decision (EU) 2020/668:
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In Annex I to Implementing Decision (EU) 2020/668, the following entries are added |
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|
No |
Reference |
Title |
|
‘20. |
EN 1149-5:2018 |
Protective clothing - Electrostatic properties - Part 5: Material performance and design requirements |
|
21. |
EN 17092-2:2020 |
Protective garments for motorcycle riders - Part 2: Class AAA garments - Requirements |
|
22. |
EN 17092-3:202 |
Protective garments for motorcycle riders - Part 3: Class AA garments - Requirements |
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23. |
EN 17092-4:2020 |
Protective garments for motorcycle riders - Part 4: Class A garments - Requirements |
|
24. |
EN 17092-5:2020 |
Protective garments for motorcycle riders - Part 5: Class B garments - Requirements |
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25. |
EN 17092-6:2020 |
Protective garments for motorcycle riders - Part 6: Class C garments - Requirements |
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26. |
EN 17109:2020 |
Mountaineering equipment - Individual safety systems for rope courses - Safety requirements and test methods |
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27. |
EN 61482-2:2020 |
Live working - Protective clothing against the thermal hazards of an electric arc - Part 2: Requirements |
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28. |
EN ISO 20320:2020 |
Protective clothing for use in Snowboarding - Wrist Protectors - Requirements and test methods (ISO 20320:2020) |
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29. |
EN 17353:2020 |
Protective clothing - Enhanced visibility equipment for medium risk situations - Test methods and requirements |
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30. |
EN 469:2020 |
Protective clothing for firefighters - Performance requirements for protective clothing for firefighting activities |
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31. |
EN ISO 27065:2017
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Protective clothing - Performance requirements for protective clothing worn by operators applying pesticides and for re-entry workers (ISO 27065:2017). EN ISO 27065:2017/A1:2019’ |
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In Annex II to Implementing Decision (EU) 2020/668, the following entries are added |
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No. |
Reference |
Title |
Date of withdrawal |
|
‘15. |
EN 469:2005 |
Protective clothing for firefighters - Performance requirements for protective clothing for firefighting activities EN 469:2005/A1:2006 EN 469:2005/AC:2006 |
05/09/2022 |
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16. |
EN 1149-5:2008 |
Protective clothing - Electrostatic properties - Part 5: Material performance and design requirements |
05/09/2022 |
|
17. |
EN 13595-1:2002 |
Protective clothing for professional motorcycle riders — Jackets, trousers and one piece or divided suits — Part 1: General requirements |
05/09/2022 |
|
18. |
EN 13595-3:2002 |
Protective clothing for professional motorcycle riders — Jackets, trousers and one-piece or divided suits — Part 3: Test method for determination of burst strength |
05/09/2022 |
|
19. |
EN 1150:1999 |
Protective clothing — Visibility clothing for non-professional use — Test methods and requirements |
05/09/2022 |
|
20. |
EN 13356:2001 |
Visibility accessories for non-professional use — Test methods and requirements |
05/09/2022 |
|
21. |
EN ISO 27065:2017 |
Protective clothing - Performance requirements for protective clothing worn by operators applying pesticides and for re-entry workers (ISO 27065:2017) |
05/09/2022’ |
SVHCs list public consultation
On 9 March 2021, The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) opened a public consultation on proposed substances of very high concern (SVHCs) to be included in the Candidate list in the 25th update (summer 2021). Comments can be submitted until 23 April 2021.
The proposed substances are:
|
Name |
EC number |
CAS number</p |
Consumer uses |
|
1,4-dioxane |
204-661-8 |
123-91-1 |
There are no consumer uses, but it cannot be excluded that there are uses of substances or related mixtures, where 1,4-dioxane is contained as constituent or impurity. |
|
2,2-bis(bromomethyl)propane1,3-diol (BMP) |
221-967-7 |
3296-90-0 |
Polymer production manufacture of plastics products |
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2-(4-tert-butylbenzyl)propionaldehyde and its individual stereoisomers |
- |
- |
It is used in many different uses such as coatings and paints, thinners, paint removes; Fillers, putties, plasters, modelling clay; Finger paints, Ink and toners |
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4,4'-(1-methylpropylidene)bisphenol; (bisphenol B) |
201-025-1 |
77-40-7 |
It may be used in the manufacture of phenolic and polycarbonate resins and it has a structure similar to Bisphenol A. |
|
Glutaral |
203-856-5 |
111-30-8 |
In leather tanning, finishing, impregnation and cosmetics/personal care between other uses. |
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Medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCP) [UVCB substances consisting of more than or equal to 80% linear chloroalkanes with carbon chain lengths within the range from C14 to C17] |
- |
- |
In rubber articles; Paper products; Textile (fabrics, textiles, apparel and leather articles); PVC (plastic articles); Production of cables (machinery, mechanical appliances, electrical/electronic articles). |
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Orthoboric acid, sodium salt |
237-560-2 |
13840-56-7 |
Uses include solvent and corrosion inhibitor |
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Phenol, alkylation products (mainly in para position) with C12-rich branched or linear alkyl chains from oligomerisation, covering any individual isomers and/ or combinations thereof (PDDP) |
- |
- |
The substance is further used in the manufacture of chemicals, rubber products and plastic products. |
For more information, view the official publication on the ECHA website here
The below table summarises the most recent standards 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.
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CENELEC / CEN |
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|
Reference |
Title |
Date of Withdrawal (*) |
Supersedes |
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Respiratory protective devices - Gas filter(s) and combined filter(s) - Requirements, testing, marking |
2021-08-31 |
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Respiratory protective devices - Particle filters - Requirements, testing, marking |
2021-08-31 |
EN 143:2000/ AC:2005 |
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Eye and face protection - Guidance on selection, use and maintenance (ISO 19734:2021) |
2021-09-30 |
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New requirements for packaging and packaging components
In February 2021, the Model Toxics in Packaging Legislation was updated by the Toxics in Packaging Clearinghouse (TPCH).
This Legislation was developed in 1989 to reduce the amount of heavy metals in packaging and packaging components. TPCH Model Legislation prohibit the intentional use of lead, cadmium, mercury and chromium (VI) in any finished package or packaging component, as well as limiting, the total incidental concentration to 100 parts per million by weight (0.01%). This legislation was adopted by nineteen states: California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.
The manufacturer, supplier and distributor must comply with chemical requirements and have a certificate of compliance that stating that a package or packaging component complies with the legal requirements. The purchaser, manufacturer, supplier, and distributor should keep a copy of the signed certificate of compliance on file as long as that package is in use. The certificate of compliance is subject to state and public review upon request. It is advisable to check exemptions outlines in individual state laws.
The main changes are as follows:
- The sum of the concentration levels of phthalates should not exceed 100 parts per million by weight (0.01%).
- Prohibition of sale or distribution of a package or packaging components containing PFAS.
- Criteria for the identification and prohibition of packaging chemicals of high concern
This legislation shall become effective immediately upon adoption.
To read the official news, visit the TPCH’s website here.
See below a table summarising some recent ASTM standards updates:
|
Reference |
Title |
|
Standard Test Method for Measuring Cut Resistance of Materials Used in Protective Clothing with CPP Test Equipment |
Below you will find a monthly summary of product recalls and alerts in Europe (Source “RAPEX”)
RAPEX (European Commission Rapid Alert System for dangerous non-food products – Alerts reported by EU national authorities)
The following 12 alerts regarding Personal Protective equipment have been reported, from week 8 to week 11 of 2021.
|
Type of Risk |
Number of alerts |
Notes |
|
Health risk / other |
2 |
Particle filter mask The product advertises a protective potential against particles but its filtering capacity has not been certified by a relevant European body. The product does not comply with the Personal Protective Equipment Regulation. |
|
1 |
Particle filter mask The product bears a CE marking but is not certified as protective equipment by a relevant body. The labelling is confusing because on the cardboard box the mask is declared to be “non-medical”, but also claims to meet EN 14683: 2019. |
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3 |
Particle filter mask The product advertises a protective potential against (viral) particles but its filtering capacity has not been certified by the relevant (European) body. |
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1 |
Particle filter mask The product advertises a protective potential against particles but its filtering capacity has not been tested by a relevant competent European conformity assessment body, and it misuses the CE marking and the model name of a different product from the same manufacturer, which is certified. The packaging of the two being identical, there is no possibility for the consumer to see that it is not the certified product. |
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5 |
Particle filter mask The particle/filter retention of the material is insufficient (measured values too low). |
Between 21 February and 20 March 2021, the CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) published the following recalls: 0 recall textile & leather products
