HKTDC Hong Kong Means Business

Hong Kong Means Business Hong Kong Means Business

Search form

Languages

  • EN
  • 繁
  • 简
SUBSCRIBE
  • EVENTS
  • MY FEED
  • CONTACT HKTDC
  • ABOUT HKTDC
  • hktdc.com

Section Menu

  • multimedia
  • market spotlight
  • first person
  • Venture Hong Kong
  • heads-up
  • inside china
  • life & style
  • hktdc research

Search form

Languages

  • EN
  • 繁
  • 简
SUBSCRIBE
Hong Kong Means Business

Section Menu

  • multimedia
  • market spotlight
  • first person
  • Venture Hong Kong
  • heads-up
  • inside china
  • life & style
  • hktdc research

https://hkmb.hktdc.com/en/1X0AJCV5

hktdc research
SAVE FOR LATER
SHARE / SEND

"Scan QR Code" in WeChat and tap "..." to share.

California Seeks Input on Use of PFAS in Textiles, Various Chemicals in Food Packaging

03 December 2019

The California Department of Toxic Substances Control is seeking public input on the use of perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) substances in textile and leather products, as well as PFAS, bisphenol A and ortho-phthalates in food packaging, as part of a process that could lead to the listing of these product-chemical combinations as priority products under the Safer Consumer Products regulations. If a priority product proposal is finalised and adopted, manufacturers of listed products would be required to look for alternatives to the listed chemical(s) if they want to continue serving the California market. These actions are aimed at further enhancing the safety of consumer products state-wide.

PFAS Treatments in Textile and Leather Products. Input may be submitted by 31 December on a proposal to regulate as priority products under the SCP regulations treatments containing PFAS substances for use on converted textiles or leathers, such as carpets, upholstery, clothing and shoes.

PFAS substances have a wide variety of applications, including in numerous consumer products. Once released to the environment during product manufacture, use or disposal, PFAS become part of a virtually closed cycle leading to chronic human and ecological exposures. DTSC has identified treatments for converted textiles or leathers as significant sources of human and ecological PFAS exposures, especially via inhalation during product use. Treatments for converted textiles or leathers are frequently used in homes and in several occupations and ostensibly contribute to the ubiquitous environmental contamination and exposures, as do other consumer products such as food packaging, cosmetics and waterproof clothing.

PFAS in Food Packaging. Input may be submitted by 14 January on specific questions pertaining to PFAS substances and their alternatives in food packaging products. PFAS are used to impart water, stain and grease resistance to a wide variety of food packaging products made of paper, paperboard and moulded fibre. They also often serve as mould-releasing agents in the production of moulded fibre packaging. Recent testing found PFAS in approximately half of paper and paperboard products tested, including bakery bags, deli wrappers, microwave popcorn bags, French fry boxes, takeout containers and pizza boxes. In other recent studies, PFAS were found in all moulded fibre food packaging products tested, including bowls, soup containers, clamshells, plates and food trays. PFAS can migrate out of food packaging directly into the food items they contain, with migration rates dependent on the temperature, acidity, storage time and fat content of the packaged food.

BPA in Food Packaging. Input may be submitted by 19 December on the use BPA and its alternatives in food packaging. BPA is one of the most studied environmental contaminants in the world and has been classified as an endocrine disrupting chemical due to its ability to disrupt oestrogen, androgen and thyroid-hormone mediated biological pathways. One of the major uses of BPA is to manufacture epoxy-based resins that coat the interior of aluminium and steel food and beverage cans. This chemical may also be used in other food packaging liners, such as jar lids and bottle caps. It has been well documented that, under certain conditions, BPA is capable of migrating out of these liners and into food items, leading to the potential for subsequent dietary exposure in humans. According to DTSC, however, many of the alternatives to BPA have the same hazard traits as this chemical.

Ortho-Phthalates in Food Packaging. Input may be submitted by 19 December on the use of ortho-phthalates in food packaging. One of the primary uses for ortho-phthalates has been as plasticisers for products made of polyvinyl chloride, including some food packaging. Ortho-phthalates have been recognised as potential endocrine disruptors as well as reproductive and developmental toxicants. Concerns over these potential hazards has prompted various authoritative bodies to restrict the use of some ortho-phthalates in certain children’s products.

The Safer Consumer Products regulations require responsible entities (manufacturers, importers, assemblers and retailers) to notify DTSC when their product is listed as a priority product. Manufacturers or other responsible entities of products listed as priority products are required to perform an “alternatives analysis” for the product and the chemicals of concern in that product to determine how best to limit exposures or the level of adverse public health and environmental impacts posed by the chemicals of concern. DTSC is also required to identify and require implementation of regulatory responses to protect public health and/or the environment and maximise the use of acceptable and feasible alternatives of least concern.

DTSC has the authority to require regulatory responses for a priority product (if the manufacturer decides to retain the priority product) or for an alternative product selected to replace the priority product. This may include ordering the removal or replacement of the chemical of concern in the product or the removal of the product from the California marketplace. To date, children’s foam-padded sleeping products containing tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCPP) or tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP), paint or varnish strippers containing methylene chloride, and spray polyurethane foam systems with unreacted methylene diphenyl diisocyanates have been listed as priority products.

BACK TO TOP ^
CONTENT PROVIDED BY
    Topics:
  • Garments, Textiles & Accessories,
  • Handbags & Travel Goods,
  • Footwear,
  • Chemicals,
  • Food & Beverages,
  • USA,
  • North America,
  • product safety,
  • food safety,
  • law & regulations
POST A COMMENT
  • Garments, Textiles & Accessories
  • Handbags & Travel Goods
  • Footwear
  • Chemicals
  • Food & Beverages
  • USA
  • North America
Home

Article Topics

ARTICLE TOPICS

GARMENTS, TEXTILES...24676
HANDBAGS...24682
FOOTWEAR24670
CHEMICALS24634
FOOD & BEVERAGES24667

ARTICLE TOPICS

GARMENTS, TEXTILES & ACCESSORIES24676
HANDBAGS & TRAVEL GOODS24682
FOOTWEAR24670
CHEMICALS24634
FOOD & BEVERAGES24667
USA36116
NORTH AMERICA36097
PRODUCT SAFETY74996
FOOD SAFETY72218
LAW & REGULATIONS72748

Social Share

FOLLOW US

GET WEEKLY UPDATES

newpaper-img

GET OUR WEEKLY EMAIL UPDATES

banner-img


I acknowledge that the above information may be used by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) for incorporation in all or any of its database for direct marketing or business matching purpose (and may therefore become available to the public within and/or outside of Hong Kong for use by them), and for any other purposes as stated in the Privacy Policy Statement; I confirm that I have the consent and the authority of each individual named in this form to release their personal data for the purposes stated herein.


*For non-EU/EEA customers, please skip this box which is solely for EU/EEA customers as required by the relevant data protection law in the EU.

THANK YOU

Thank you for registering.

interest_article

YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN

06 December 2019

Swedish Chemicals Agency Finds Hexavalent Chromium in Leather Products

15 November 2019

Importers Get Extension of Enforcement Discretion on Some FSMA Rule Requirements

12 November 2019

Mainland China May Now Export Cooked Poultry to U.S.

07 November 2019

Comments Sought on Proposed Changes to Food Safety Testing

Related Events

RELATED EVENTS

11-14 January 2020

Expo Riva Schuh - International Shoe Fair (Winter Edition)

20-23 April 2020

HKTDC Hong Kong Fashion Week 2020

20-23 April 2020

HKTDC Hong Kong International Home Textiles and Furnishings Fair 2020

3-5 September 2020

CENTRESTAGE 2020
FIND AN EVENT

User login

  • Create new account
  • Request new password

Footer Menu

  • hktdc.com
  • ABOUT HKTDC
  • MEDIA ROOM
  • TERMS OF USE
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • SITEMAP
  • 京ICP备09059244号

Footer Logo

Copyrights

Copyright © 2019 Hong Kong Trade Development Council. All rights reserved.

SHARE THIS STORY

EMAIL
LINKEDIN
WeChat
FACEBOOK
TWITTER
WEIBO

ID: HKTDCofficial

POST A COMMENT

OR

POST A COMMENT

Don't have an account?

Create An Account

successfully added on your preferences.