ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION

Electronics Fall under Spotlight in Sweden in New Consultation on Certain Hazardous Substances

22 September 2017

On 15 September 2017, the Swedish Chemicals Agency (SCA) concluded a stakeholder consultation on the potential for substitution of medium-chained chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs) in electric and electronic equipment (EEE). The consultation follows the template for amendments to the European Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS2) directive. More

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Timetable for Lead Exemptions in Car Parts Nears Adoption

22 September 2017

Hong Kong sellers of car parts may like to know that the presence of lead in certain vehicle parts will be permitted in the EU over the next two to seven years under European Commission proposals, which are expected to enter into force this coming autumn. More

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Draft List of Foreign Fisheries to be Subject to Regulatory Requirements for Exports to U.S.

15 September 2017

The National Marine Fisheries Service is inviting public comments through 23 October on its draft list of foreign fisheries for 2017, which reflects available information on marine mammal interactions in commercial fisheries exporting fish and fish products to the United States. More

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Update on Recent Changes to California’s Proposition 65 List of Chemicals

15 September 2017

Hong Kong and mainland Chinese exporters should be aware that a number of watchdog groups and private citizens continue to target hazardous chemicals in consumer products under California’s Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act (commonly known as Proposition 65), a trend that is expected to continue. More

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Four Phthalates Identified as Endocrine-disrupting Substances of Very High Concern

08 September 2017

Hong Kong traders should take note that, pursuant to Commission Implementing Decision 2017/1210, four phthalates have been identified by the European Commission as Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs) due to their having endocrine-disrupting properties. They have been described on the European Chemical Agency (ECHA)’s so-called Candidate List of SVHCs in this capacity. More

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New EU Green Public Procurement Criteria for Furniture Published

08 September 2017

On 10 August 2017, the European Commission published new EU green public procurement (GPP) criteria for furniture, an area with a high annual spend by public authorities in the European Union. The EU GPP criteria are voluntary criteria which aim to facilitate the inclusion of green requirements in public tender documents. The goal is to strike a balance between environmental performance, cost considerations, market availability and ease of verification. More

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Environmental and Consumer Groups Sue Trump Administration over Toxic Chemical Regulations

01 September 2017

The Natural Resources Defense Council, the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments and Cape Fear River Watch have sued the Trump administration over its rules for regulating toxic chemicals in consumer products and the workplace. More

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CBP Adds Wood and Other Plant/Plant Product Imports to Compliance Effort

01 September 2017

CBP is expanding its enforcement efforts by targeting importers it suspects may have compliance deficiencies with respect to the Lacey Act declaration requirement and related customs issues. More

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Influential NGO Calls for Investigation into EU’s Unlawful Handling of Nanomaterials Issue in Cosmetic Products Law

25 August 2017

On 31 July 2017, ClientEarth, a non-profit environmental organisation, complained to the European Ombudsman, an independent and impartial body that holds EU institutions, bodies, offices and agencies to account. The complaint alleges maladministration in the European Commission as regards publication of a list of nano-chemicals contained in cosmetics. More

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Danish Consumer Body Finds Suspected Endocrine Disruptors in Majority of Tested Pushchairs

25 August 2017

Tests carried out by the Danish Consumer Council’s Think Chemicals Initiative has found carcinogenic and suspected endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in more than half of the pushchairs tested by the group. Think Chemicals has said that exposure from a single product is “not necessarily problematic in itself”, but it contributes to children's combined exposure to hazardous chemicals from different sources. More

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