PRODUCT SAFETY

EU Law Regulating Single-use Plastic Products Published

19 June 2019

On 12 June 2019, Directive 2019/904 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment was published in the Official Journal of the European Union. More

hktdc research

New Mandatory Safety Standards for Stationary Activity Centres

18 June 2019

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a final rule establishing a new mandatory safety standard for stationary activity centres. Slated to enter into force on 18 December, the mandatory standard incorporates by reference with no modifications ASTM F2012-18, Standard Consumer Safety Performance Specification for Stationary Activity Centers. More

hktdc research

Survey of Harmful Monomers in Toys and Risk Assessment of 3D Pens for Children

06 June 2019

As Hong Kong traders active in the toy industry may know, plastic toys sometimes contain monomers, some of which are hazardous to health and even classified as carcinogenic. In 2010, the EU’s Scientific Committee on Health and Environmental Risks (“SCHER”) assessed that no carcinogens ought to be present in toys as intentionally added substances. More

hktdc research

Standards for Pool and Spa Drain Covers Updated

28 May 2019

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a direct final rule incorporating by reference certain updates to the standards for swimming pool and spa drain covers, also known as suction outlet fitting assemblies (SOFAs). More

hktdc research

Calls Made to Withdraw Recycling Exemptions for Flame Retardants Found in Consumer Goods

24 May 2019

The 9th Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants was held in Geneva from 29 April to 10 May 2019. In the run-up to the conference, eight European Environmental NGOs jointly sent an open letter to the European Commission strongly encouraging the EU to withdraw the recycling exemptions for certain flame retardant chemicals. More

hktdc research

Washington State Approves Ground-Breaking Legislation to Regulate Toxic Chemicals

21 May 2019

Washington state recently approved legislation establishing what the non-governmental organisation Safer Chemicals-Healthy Families is describing as “the nation’s strongest policy for regulating toxic chemicals in consumer products.” More

hktdc research

Proposal Is Tabled to Restrict Placing on the Market of Textile and Leather Articles Containing Skin Sensitising Substances

14 May 2019

It is reported that on 29 April 2019 Sweden and France have submitted a “restriction proposal” to the European Chemicals Agency, aimed at putting in place the restriction of skin sensitising substances in textile, leather, hide and fur articles. More

hktdc research

New Cosmetics Laws Regulate Use of Certain Substances in Sunscreens, Other Cosmetic Products

08 May 2019

On 2 May 2019, two new Regulations were published in the Official Journal of the European Union, amending the EU’s framework legislation, Regulation 1223/2009 on cosmetic products, pursuant to new opinions presented by the EU’s expert committee, the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety. More

hktdc research

Canada Adopts Tougher Safety Requirements for Corded Window Coverings

02 May 2019

The Canadian government has adopted more stringent requirements for corded window coverings in an effort to reduce the risk of strangulation posed to children by these products. Currently, a corded window covering product may not be manufactured, imported, advertised or sold in Canada if it does not meet the requirements for safety and labelling set out in the relevant Canadian standard. More

hktdc research

China Steps Up Supervision of Toys and School Supplies

30 April 2019

The toys and academic supplies (including stationery and school uniforms) distributed across the mainland are to come under greater scrutiny following the publication of a new directive from The General Office of the State Administration for Market Regulation. More

Page of 46