Softlines & Leather regulatory updates June 2022
New update to Candidate List of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs)
On 10 June 2022, the ECHA (European Chemicals Agency) released the new Candidate List of SVHCs. With the addition of 1 new substance, the current list of SVHCs now contains 224 substances.
Consumer clothing with a UV protection claim: PPE Regulations or not
Since the introduction of the EU’s PPE Regulation 2016/425, there has been considerable debate about whether or not consumer clothing with a UV protection claim should be considered as falling within the scope of the PPE Regulations or not.
Extended Producer Responsibility and Eco-organization in France
From 1 January 2022, the principle of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) applies to the sector of toys, outdoor games, DIY and garden products, and sports and leisure items in accordance with the AGEC law.
Update on OPSS Enforcement Policy
On 30 June 2022, the UK Government Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) released its latest enforcement policy guidelines. The updated enforcement policy is broadly consistent with changes made within European Union Member States as a result of EU Regulation 2019/2161 which entered into force on 28 May 2022.
FTC hits retailers with large civil penalty for bamboo marketing and deceptive environmental claims
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has recently announced that they will take action against two large national retailers for falsely marketing rayon textile products as bamboo and making deceptive environmental claims that the “bamboo” textiles were made using ecofriendly processes. The proposed settlement orders would require the companies to stop making false bamboo marketing claims, stop making unsubstantiated green marketing claims, and pay civil penalties totaling $5.5 million dollars.
Taiwan designates children’s raincoats as subject to mandatory QR code of commodity inspection mark
Taiwan’s Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection (BSMI) recently published a Public Notice to designate children’s raincoats as products which shall include a QR code for Commodity Inspection Mark. The new requirement will become effective on 15 September 2022. Please see Table 1 for scope of covered products.
Europe
RAPEX (European Commission Rapid Alert System for dangerous non-food products – Alerts reported by EU national authorities).
UK
OPSS issues Product Safety Alerts on the UK market. The following 7 alerts regarding textiles & leather products were reported between week 21 and week 24 of 2022.
U.S.
Between 21 May 2022 and 20 June 2022, the CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) published the following recalls: 6 recalls of textile & leather products
