Softlines & Leather | Monthly bulletin | December 2019

Regulatory news - Commercial news 

Regulatory news

Europe

Standards updates

See below a table summarising some 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 (*) Date of withdrawal: latest date by which national standards conflicting with an EN (and HD for CENELEC) have to be withdrawn.

France

Harmonisation of regulatory requirements for some non-food products

On 30^th September 2019, the Decree 2019-1007 was published in the French Official Journal. The aim of this Decree is to harmonise various decrees on non-food product safety. The products that are affected by this decree are:

• Nursery articles
• Mobile liquid fuel heating appliances
• Playground equipment
• Bunk beds
• Step ladders - step boards
• Folding chairs of the Chilean - transatlantic - loafer type
• Bedding
• Grinding and cutting discs
• Solid fuel barbecues
• Electronic and chemical alcohol testers

The new Decree modifies the Decree 2000-164 on filled bedding items and it is effective as of 1^st October 2019 with a transition period of one year.

US

CPSC proposes to publish safety standard for infant sleep products

Recently the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has proposed that a mandatory standard for infant sleep products is published incorporating, by reference, ASTM F 3118-17a, Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Infant Inclined Sleep Products with modifications.

In comparison to the CPSC’s notice of proposed rulemaking (NPR) published in 2017, this supplemental NPR includes limiting the seat back angle for sleep to 10 degrees or less. The proposal would cover products intended for infant sleep that are not currently covered by bassinets/cradles, cribs (full-size and non-full size), play yards and bedside sleepers.

Additionally, the Commission proposes to amend 16 CFR 1112 to include notice of requirement for infant sleep products and infant sleep products would be subject to CPSC's consumer registration requirements.

Comments can be submitted until January 27, 2020. Please click here for the details.

Standards updates

Below a summary table with some recent ASTM standards updates:

US – California

California proposes list PFAS-containing textile treatments as priority product

California’s DTSC has recently proposed that treatments containing perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances for use on converted textiles or leathers such as carpets, upholstery, clothing and shoes, are listed as Priority Products.

PFASs are a class of chemicals composed of highly stable carbon-fluorine bonds and are used in many ways. Exposure to PFASs can increase the risk of adverse health effects such as increased serum cholesterol and immune dysregulation. Treatments for converted textiles or leathers are significant sources of PFAS exposure to humans. As a result, DTSC has determined that PFAS containing textile or leather treatments should be listed as Priority Products.

Comments can be submitted by December 31, 2019. Please click here for more information.

China

Standards updates list 2019

On 18^th October 2019, the Standardisation Administration of the People’s Republic of China (SAC) published announcement No.13 of 2019 with updated national standards.

See below a table summarizing some of textile standards updates (non-exhaustive list):

44 industry standards, relating to textiles and clothing, implemented on November 1, 2019

On May 2019, The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the People’s Republic of China released announcement No. 16 of 2019 and announced 44 industry standards related to textiles and clothing, these standards have officially implemented on November 1, 2019.

See below a table summarising some updated textile and clothing standards (non-exhaustive):

A full list can be found here (in Chinese).

South Korea

Technical national standard for plastic products

On 29^th October 2019, The Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS) published the technical national standard Nº 2019-352 in which the Annex 24 – “plastic products” is added to “Household Goods Subject to Safety Standards.” 

Below a summary table with the main points:

Note: Please note that the website is available in Korean language only.

International

Upcoming dates of application

As a reminder, below is a summary of the standards and legislation that will come into force within the next six months and which will require application:

• Standards:

• • 1^st January 2020 is the date of withdrawal of the European standard GB/T 18886-2019, Textiles--Tests for colour fastness--Colour fastness to saliva.
  • This standard is an amendment to the Chinese standard GB/T 18886-2002.

• Legislations:

• Manufacturers and importers should carefully consider these upcoming application dates and confirm that their products comply with these restrictions:

• • US: New Hampshire- SB193 Flame retardants ban in furniture and carpeting.
  • Brief description:
    This legislation bans the sale or import of upholstered furniture containing in its fabric, other covering or cushioning materials more than 0.1 percent of a flame-retardant chemical or more than 0.1 percent of a mixture that includes flame-retardant chemicals.
    
    This bill also requests that the manufacturer of upholstered furniture shall have a certificate of Compliance according to this requirement to submit to the authorities within 30 days of its request.
  • This legislation will apply as of 1^st January 2020.
  • Autralia: Consumer Goods (Children’s Nightwear and limited Daywear and Paper Patterns for Children’s Nightwear) Safety Standard 2017
  • Brief description:
  • The mandatory standard applies to nightwear for children (sizes 00–14 unless stated otherwise) which includes the following items:
    • Pyjamas (whether sold as top and bottom together or nightwear separates)
    • Size 3 - 14 knitted nightwear all-in-ones
    • Size 00 - 14 woven nightwear all-in-ones
    • Predominantly knitted all-in-one garments in the size range size 00-2 made from fabrics that have a pile or nap, or include fabrics with a pile or nap
    • Nightdresses and nighties
    • Nightshirts
    • Dressing gowns
    • Bathrobes
    • Boxer shorts of a loose style commonly used as nightwear
    • Infant sleep bags with sleeves or arm openings
    • Blankets and towels that incorporate a sleeve or arm opening
    • The mandatory standard also covers paper patterns for making children's nightwear. The mandatory standard prescribes requirements for safety testing and labelling of children's nightwear and paper patterns for making children's nightwear.
  • It will apply from 1^st January 2020.

  •  

  • Turkey: Regulation on Persistent Organic Pollutants - POP (Official Gazette: 30595)
  • Brief description:
  • The use of hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) (listed in Annex 2), either on its own or as part of a mixture, in the manufacturing of expanded polystyrene articles and is permitted until 28.11.2019. The introduction and use of expanded polystyrene articles containing hexabromocyclododecane as constituent and produced in accordance with this exemption is permitted for up to 6 months from the date on which this exemption expires. Items that have already been used up to this date can still be used. 
  • It will apply from 28^th November 2019.

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 22 alerts regarding textile & leather products have been reported, from week 43 until week 46 of 2019.

US

From 21^st October to 20^th November 2019, CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) has published the following recalls: 1 recall regarding textile & leather products.

Commercial news

One Day Leather Processing Course

Eurofins Textil Testing Spain in partnership with Eurofins | BLC Leather Technology Center will offer in Alicante a special traininig next 26th February. This course is ideal for tannery staff, leather processors, chemical companies as well as those interested in a greater understanding of raw to finished leather processing, this course provides an overview of the whole leather making process in just one day.

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One Day Sustainability in the Leather Supply Chain Training Course

Eurofins | BLC offer a one - day Sustainability in the Leather Supply Chain Training Course that focuses on the key aspects of leather and sustainability, providing delegates with expert tuition that is focused on providing an objective overview of the merits and challenges related to leather sustainability.

Read more >>

Chem-MAP^® chemical management systems for the entire supply chain

Discover How MRSL Testing can Help Reduce RSL Failures in Manufacturing and Support ZDHC Objectives

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