Consumer Products Insight Bulletins
As part of our commitment to support and add value to our customers, Intertek regularly publishes and distributes important information about the consumer products industry in the form of our Insight (formerly known as Sparkle) technical bulletins. Insight provides updates on quality and safety requirements of consumer products for each and every country across the globe. Each Insight includes a detailed synopsis on continually changing standards and how they affect your business, to supply you with the knowledge and potential solutions to stay competitive in today's global marketplace.
Requirements for Convertible Tricycle Pushchairs
A new document is being prepared by the CEN committee for the safety assessment of a product known as convertible tricycle pushchairs (CTP), which are vehicles designed for use by young children in at least 2 modes. For a tricycle to be considered as a CTP, the product shall have a pushing handle and sufficient support for the child’s back (min. 250mm in backrest length) and More…
UK Updates the list of Designated Standards for Toys
The list of Designated Standards for toys in the UK is approved to be updated under the Notice of Publication 0093/23. The Designated Standard for electrical toys is updated to EN IEC 62115:2020 and EN IEC 62115:2020/A11:2020. There are additional voluntary safety measures for toys containing or supplied with button and coin type batteries More…
Malaysia approved a new Order on product quantity labelling
The Malaysia Government approved the Trade Descriptions (Marking of Quantity for Pre-Packaged Goods) Order 2023, which will revoke the Trade Descriptions (Marking of Pre-Packaged Goods) Order 2023. The Trade Descriptions (Marking of Pre-Packaged Goods) Order 2023 just began to be effective on 1 September 2023. More…
U.S. – September 2023 California Proposition 65 – 60-Day Notices Analysis
In September 2023, there were 410 60-day notices for violation of Prop 65. The majority of the notices were for Lead (~48%). Nearly 23% of notices were for the presence of Phthalates, 29% of the notices were for Other Chemicals. 0.04% of the notices were for presence of both Lead and Phthalates. More…
U.S.: Final Rule for 16 CFR 1610- Flammability of Clothing Textiles published by the CPSC
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) published in the Federal Register the final rule (FR) 16 CFR 1610, revising the Standard for the Flammability of Clothing Textiles on October 25, 2023. The final rule adopts the amendments proposed in the More…
Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/2055 - Update on Restriction of microplastics intentionally added to products
Starting from 17 October 2023, the EU will enforce a new regulation to restrict the use of intentionally added microplastics - tiny synthetic polymer particles that are either used alone or mixed with other substances. The commission is working on a Q&A document that will clarify the details of this regulation... More…
Updated ASTM F963 Toy Safety Standard Published
ASTM International has published the revised ASTM F963 standard, reflecting changes approved within the ASTM Subcommittee on Toy Safety over the past few years. The main technical revisions affect the requirements for: acoustics, battery accessibility, expanding materials, and projectiles More…
EPA finalized PFAS reporting rule requiring companies to send 12 years of data
EPA PFAS Reporting Rule will require manufacturers, importers of PFAS and PFAS containing articles to report information related to PFAS chemicals used, identity such as CAS #, uses, volume, environmental and health effect, disposal etc. in any year after 2011. More…
EU Adopts the Restriction of Intentionally Added Microplastics to Products under REACH
On September 25th, 2023, the EU Commission published EU 2023/2055, adopting measures to restrict the release of intentionally added microplastics to certain products. These small pieces are called microplastics and they are of concern. More…
US CPSC approve Safety Standard for Button Cell or Coin Batteries and Consumer Products Containing Them
Following on from the enactment of Reese’s Law in 2022, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has approved 16 CFR 1263 Button Cell or Coin Batteries and Consumer Products Containing such Batteries. More…
Australia - Update Care Labelling Regulation for Clothing and Textiles
Recently, the Australian Government introduced a new mandatory Consumer Goods (Care labelling) Information Standard 2023, which replaces the existing “Consumer Protection Notice Nno 25 of 2010 – Consumer Product Information Standard : Care Labelling for Clothing and Textile Products’”. This new standard became effective on 5 Sept 2023. More…
Taiwan Updates the Legal Inspection Requirements for Toys
The Taiwan Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection (BSMI) has updated the Legal Inspection Requirements for Toy. Toys shall comply with the following inspection standards and requirements: More…
U.S. – August 2023 California Proposition 65 – 60-Day Notices Analysis
In August 2023, there were 343 60-day notices for violation of Prop 65. The majority of the notices were for Lead (52%). 19% of notices were for the presence of Phthalates, 29% of the notices were for Other Chemicals. More…
Australia Approved the Consumer Goods (Toys for Children up to and including 36 Months of Age) Safety Standard 2023
Australia Government approved the Consumer Goods (Toys for Children up to and including 36 Months of Age) Safety Standard 2023 and published in the Federal Register on 4 September 2023. This new Safety Standard will replace the previous Consumer Product Safety Standard... More…
U.S. CPSC Approves New Rules to Ban Crib Bumpers and Inclined Sleepers for Infants (16 CFR 1309 and 16 CFR 1310)
Crib bumpers are banned under 16 CFR 1309 while inclined sleepers for infants are banned under 16 CFR 1310. The rules will be effective on 13 September 2023 and 15 September 2023 respectively. However, crib bumpers and inclined sleepers for infants were prohibited under the Safe Sleep for Babies Act... More…
US: HB 3043 amendment to the Oregon Toxic-Free Kids Act (TFKA)
On July 27, 2023, the governor of Oregon passed the House Bill 3043, revising the provisions related to chemicals in children’s products, and is operative on January 1, 2024. The following amendments further build on the Oregon’s Toxic Free Kids Act passed in 2015 More…
U.S. – July 2023 California Proposition 65 – 60-Day Notices Analysis
In July 2023, there were 505 60-day notices for violation of Prop 65. The majority of the notices were for Lead (41%). 19% of notices were for the presence of Phthalates, 40% of the notices were for Other chemicals. More…
Malaysia Approves an Order on Product Labelling
The Malaysia Government has approved the Trade Descriptions (Marking of Pre-Packaged Goods) Order 2023. It shall enter into force on 1 September 2023. More…
India – Approved Two Quality Orders on Potable Water Bottle and Insulated Flask, Bottle and Container
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry of India has approved the Potable Water Bottles (Quality Control) Order 2023 and the Insulated Flask, Bottles and Containers for Domestic Use (Quality Control) Order 2023. Applicable products must comply with the Quality Order and carry the Standard Mark. More…
EU publishes updated standard for Carry Cots
European Standard EN 1466:2023 Carry Cots and Stands for Domestic Use has been published recently. It supersedes the old standard (EN 1466:2014+AC 2015 which is still harmonized under GPSD) latest by June 2024. More…
EU – Addition of PFHxS, its salts and PFHxS related compounds to EU POPs Regulation
On 8 Aug 2023, the European Commission published Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/1608 to approve the regulation of perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), its salts and PFHxS-related compounds under Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 (POPs Regulation) More…
U.S. – June 2023 California Proposition 65 – 60-Day Notices Analysis
In June 2023, there were 383 60-day notices for violation of Prop 65. The majority of the notices were for Lead (50%). 14% of notices were for the presence of Phthalates, 36% of the notices were for Other chemicals. More…
Government to Modernise Product Safety Laws to Ensure They’re Fit for the Digital Age
The UK government announced on the 2nd August that they are to overhaul the UK’s product safety laws which are over 30 years old in a bid to make them fit for emerging technologies and new shopping habits. More…
UK Government Announces Extension of CE Mark Recognition for Businesses
On the 1st of August the UK government announced plans to extend the acceptance of CE marking ‘indefinitely’ beyond the upcoming December 2024 legislative deadline for certain products placed on the Great Britain market (England, Wales and Scotland). More…
U.S. Maine LD 217 law governing PFAS-containing products
In the U.S. state of Maine, LD 214, a law governing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in products, was signed into law on June 8, 2023. The enactment of this law has brought changes to Maine's reporting requirements. The key provisions are outlined as follows... More…
U.S. – May 2023 California Proposition 65 – 60-Day Notices Analysis
In May 2023, there were 371 60-day notices for violation of Prop 65. The majority of the notices were for Lead (56%). 23% of notices were for the presence of Phthalates, 21% of the notices were for Other chemicals. More…
EU REACH – ECHA Adds Two Hazardous Chemicals to Candidate List
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has added two new chemicals to the Candidate List on 14 June 2023. The Candidate List now has 235 entries. More…
Canada Approves New Carriages and Strollers Regulations (SOR/2023-101)
Health Canada has approved the new Carriages and Strollers Regulations (SOR/2023-101). Every carriage or stroller must comply with the new regulation on or after 4 December 2023 (180 days after gazette published). The previous Carriages and Strollers Regulations (SOR/2016-167) are repealed. More…
![U.S. Minnesota State to Restrict Heavy Metals [Lead and Cadmium] and PFAS in Various Consumer Products](https://cdn.intertek.com/www-intertek-com/images/Divisions/CG/Insight-Images/2023/Insight-Vol-1359.png)
U.S. Minnesota State to Restrict Heavy Metals [Lead and Cadmium] and PFAS in Various Consumer Products
Governor Walz of Minnesota signed a budget bill (Chapter 60, House File 2310 – Environment, Natural Resources, Climate, and Energy Omnibus Bill) into law which includes investments into key programs to protect water, climate, and people from pollution. This legislation also includes provisions to restrict... More…
EU approves the new General Product Safety Regulation
The European Commission has approved the new General Product Safety Regulation (EU) 2023/988. The purpose of this regulation is to provide a high level of consumer protection and lay down essential rules on the safety of consumer products. More…
China Market Update: Updated Textile, Footwear Products & Hardgoods Standard List 2023
Recently, the standardization administration of the People’s Republic of China released announcement No.1 & No. 2 of 2023, and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the People’s Republic of China released announcement No. 7 of 2023 to publish standards updates. More…
U.S. Utah Updates to Rule on Bedding, Upholstered Furniture, and Quilted Clothing
On April 4, 2023, Utah updated its R70-101 Code, also known as the Utah Rule 101: Bedding, Upholstered Furniture, and Quilted Clothing. This code establishes the standards, practices, and procedures for the manufacture, repair, sale and distribution of bedding, upholstered furniture, quilted clothing products, and filling material. More…
U.S. CPSC Approves New 16 CFR 1272 Marking of Toy, Look-Alike and Imitation Firearms
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has published a direct final rule to approve the new 16 CFR 1272 Marking of Toy, Look-Alike and Imitation Firearms. This new CFR applies to toy, look-alike, and imitation firearms that have the appearance, shape, and/or configuration of a firearm and... More…
U.S. Oregon State to Abolish Styrofoam Containers, Foodware & Packaging Peanuts and Prohibit PFAS in Foodware Containers
On May 8, 2023, the Governor of the State of Oregon signed the bill SB 543 into law to regulate PFAS in foodware containers, polystyrene foam containers for prepared food, polystyrene foam containers and polystyrene foam packaging peanuts. More…
China Market Update: China Customs Announces First Batch of Credit Acceptance Agencies
Recently, China Customs has announced the first batch of credit acceptance agencies following the Administrative Measures of the China Customs for Import and Export Commodities Inspection and Acceptance which came into effect on December 1, 2022. The implementation of the credit acceptance work will help shorten... More…
U.S. – April 2023 California Proposition 65 – 60-Day Notices Analysis
In April 2023, there were 256 60-day notices for violation of Prop 65. The majority of the notices were for Lead (46%). Other Chemicals had 24% of the notices, 30% of notices were for the presence of Phthalates. More…
EU adds Requirements for Lead in PVC under REACH Regulation
On May 8, 2023, the European Commission approved and published Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/923 to amend Annex XVII to REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006. The following paragraphs on the requirements for lead and its compounds in PVC materials and articles have been added to Entry 63. More…
STURDY ACT - Final Rule Published in Federal Register on Safety Standard for Clothing Storage Units
On May 4, 2023, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) published a direct rule (16 CFR 1261) which adopts the applicable performance requirements of ASTM standard ASTM F2057–23 as a consumer product safety standard required by the STURDY Act. This rule will supersede CPSC's current CSU rule, which was scheduled to take effect on May 24, 2023 but will now not be implemented. More…
Maine, U.S. - Children’s Products Priority Chemicals Reporting Guidelines
Manufacturers who sell certain categories of children's products containing any of Maine's priority chemicals in an amount greater than de minimis, and who have not already reported to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), must do so within 30 days of the product becoming available in Maine More…
International Toy Standard ISO 8124 -3:2020+Amd.1:2023 on Migration of Certain Elements Published
In March 2023, ISO (International Organization for Standardization) published an amendment to the toy standard ISO 8124-3:2020 on migration of certain elements, to be ISO 8124-3:2020+Amd.1:2023. The amendment shall be effective immediately. More…
EU – New Nickel Release Standard Published – EN 1811:2023
On 22 February 2023, CEN (European Committee for Standardization) published a new version of the reference test method for nickel release, EN 1811:2023, which superseded the previous version EN 1811:2011+A1:2015. More…
CPSC adopts ASTM F 2057-23 as the mandatory safety standard for the STURDY Act
The U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission has taken further action to protect consumers from tip-over-related deaths and injuries associated with dressers, armoires, wardrobes, and other clothing storage units. Implementing recently passed legislation, the Commission voted to adopt the ASTM F2057-23 voluntary standard as a CPSC mandatory safety standard to More…
U.S. – March 2023 California Proposition 65 – 60-Day Notices Analysis
In March 2023, there were 315 60-day notices for violation of Prop 65. The majority of the notices were for Lead (49%). Other Chemicals had 24% of the notices, 27% of notices were for the presence of Phthalates. More…
US: Bill S01322- New York Amends the Law Prohibiting the Intentional Use of PFAS Substances in Outdoor Apparel
New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed bill S01322 on Mar 24, 2023, amending the environmental conservation laws S. 6291-A and A. 7063-A, prohibiting the intentional use of PFAS substances in apparel, as well as outdoor apparel, for severe wet conditions. More…
U.S. – February 2023 California Proposition 65 – 60-Day Notices Analysis
In February 2023, there were 291 60-day notices for violation of Prop 65. The majority of the notices were for Lead (50.9%). Other Chemicals had 25.8% of the notices, 23% of notices were for the presence of Phthalates and 0.3% was for the presence of lead and phthalates. More…
Clothing Storage Units (CSU) Regulation Update
In November 2022, the CPSC issued 16 CFR 1261, a mandatory regulation that imposes test and labeling requirements on Clothing Storage Units (CSU) greater than 27” in height. This CFR comes into force on May 24, 2023. More…
Canada: Canada General Standards Board Update to Flammability Standard CAN/CGSB-4.2 No. 27.5
On January 2023, The Canada General Standards Board (CGSB) published the CAN/CGSB-4.2 No. 27.5-2023 Flame Resistance – 45° angle test- One second flame impingement, which supersedes the CAN/CGSB-4.2 No. 27.5 2008 and CAN/CGSB-4.2 No. 30.3-1994. More…
U.S. – January 2023 California Proposition 65 – 60-Day Notices Analysis
In January 2023, there were a total of 298 60-day notices for violation of Prop 65. Majority of the notices were for Phthalates (37%). Lead had 35% of the notices, and the remaining 28% of notices were for the presence of other chemicals. More…
Italy - Approved the Amendments of the Authorized Substance List for Stainless Steel Food Contact Articles
The Ministry of Health has approved the amendments of the Decree of the Minister of Health No. 208. The Decree of hygienic regulation for food contact articles, or personal use products will have its substance list amended for stainless steels that are used in contact with food... More…
ECHA Adds Nine Hazardous Chemicals to Candidate List
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has added nine Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs) chemical to the Candidate List because of their hazardous properties. The Candidate List now has 233 entries. The substances are detailed for reference... More…