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Eurofins >> Consumer Product Testing >> Media Centre >> News >> Eurofins PPE Monthly Bulletin (Mar 2021)

Eurofins Personal Protective Equipmente (PPE) Monthly Bulletin | March 2021

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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:


Amending Implementing Decision (EU) 2020/668 as regards harmonised standards on electrostatic properties of protective clothing, protective clothing for firefighters and motorcycle riders, protective clothing for use in snowboarding and worn by operators applying pesticides and for re-entry workers, enhanced visibility equipment for medium risk situations, mountaineering equipment and protective clothing against the thermal hazards of an electric arc.

 

The following harmonised standards are added to the Annexes to Implementing Decision (EU) 2020/668:

 

In Annex I to Implementing Decision (EU) 2020/668, the following entries are added

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

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

25.

EN 17092-6:2020

Protective garments for motorcycle riders - Part 6: Class C garments - Requirements

26.

EN 17109:2020

Mountaineering equipment - Individual safety systems for rope courses - Safety requirements and test methods

27.

EN 61482-2:2020

Live working - Protective clothing against the thermal hazards of an electric arc - Part 2: Requirements

28.

EN ISO 20320:2020

Protective clothing for use in Snowboarding - Wrist Protectors - Requirements and test methods (ISO 20320:2020)

29.

EN 17353:2020

Protective clothing - Enhanced visibility equipment for medium risk situations - Test methods and requirements

30.

EN 469:2020

Protective clothing for firefighters - Performance requirements for protective clothing for firefighting activities

31.

EN ISO 27065:2017

 

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’

 

 

In Annex II to Implementing Decision (EU) 2020/668, the following entries are added

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

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)
2,2-dimethylpropan-1-ol, tribromo derivative/3-bromo-2,2-bis(bromomethyl)-1-propanol (TBNPA)
2,3-dibromo-1-propanol (2,3-DBPA)

221-967-7
253-057-0
202-480-9

3296-90-0
36483-57-5
1522-92-5
96-13-9

Polymer production manufacture of plastics products

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

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.

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).

Orthoboric acid, sodium salt

237-560-2

13840-56-7

Uses include solvent and corrosion inhibitor

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

 

Standards updates

 

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.

CENELEC / CEN

Reference

Title

Date of Withdrawal (*)

Supersedes

EN 14387:2021

Respiratory protective devices - Gas filter(s) and combined filter(s) - Requirements, testing, marking

2021-08-31

EN 14387:2004 +A1:2008

EN 143:2021

Respiratory protective devices - Particle filters - Requirements, testing, marking

2021-08-31

EN 143:2000/ AC:2005
EN 143:2000/ AC:2002
EN 143:2000/ A1:2006
EN 143:2000

EN ISO 19734:2021

Eye and face protection - Guidance on selection, use and maintenance (ISO 19734:2021)

2021-09-30

 

 

US

 

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.

 

Standards updates

 

See below a table summarising some recent ASTM standards updates:

 

Reference

Title

ASTM F1790 / F1790M - 15(2021)

Standard Test Method for Measuring Cut Resistance of Materials Used in Protective Clothing with CPP Test Equipment

 

 

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 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.

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.

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.

5

Particle filter mask

The particle/filter retention of the material is insufficient (measured values too low).

 

US

 

Between 21 February and 20 March 2021, the CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) published the following recalls0 recall textile & leather products