Feature Stories

Jul 7, 2014

CEC Update: DOE test method for Televisions

Carlifornia Energy Commission (CEC) Update The CEC has released their updated 2014 Appliance Efficiency Regulations. This includes the adoption of the DOE test method for Televisions,…

Jul 1, 2014

China Submits Draft Safety Technical Code for Infant and Children’s Textile Products

Details The Standardization Administration of the People’s Republic of China (SAC) has submitted a draft of the mandatory standard – The Safety Technical Code for Infants and Children's…

Jun 26, 2014

New Chinese Mandatory Toy Standard – GB 6675-2014: Parts 1-4

Details On May 6, 2014, the new China national standard GB 6675-2014: Parts 1-4 was published, replacing GB 6675-2003 "National Toy Safety Technical Code". Effective January 2016, the…

Jun 26, 2014

Vermont Passes Toxic-Free Families Act on Toxic Chemicals

Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin has signed into law the Toxic-Free Families Act, Act No.188 (S.239), which requires a manufacturer of a children’s product to notify the Department of Health …

Jun 25, 2014

Canada New Halal Labeling Requirements

Canada has amended its Food and Drug Regulations by adding new labeling requirements for halal food. New requirements state that the word “halal” cannot be used in labeling, packaging,…

Jun 25, 2014

China Releases "Safety of Toys - Part 1: Basic Norms" and Four Mandatory National Standards

China’s State Standards Committee has approved the release of the following toy safety basic norms: Toy Safety - Part 1: “Basic specifications” Toy Safety - Part 2: “Mechanical and…

Jun 25, 2014

EU Amends Ecolabel Requirements for Detergents and Cleaning Products

The European Commission has published amendments on previously approved EU Ecolabel Decisions regarding detergents and cleaning products. These decisions have included the classification…

Jun 25, 2014

EU Publishes Regulation No 589/2014 on Dioxins and PCBs in Foodstuffs

The European Commission (EC) has published Regulation No 589/2014, providing methods of sampling and analysis for the control of levels of dioxins, dioxin-like PCBs and non-dioxin-like PCBs…

Jun 25, 2014

FDA Issues Final Compliance Policy Guide on Food Facility Registration

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the availability of “Compliance Policy Guide Sec. 100.250 Food Facility Registration – Human and Animal Food” (the CPG). The CPG…

Jun 25, 2014

Four Countries Update Technical Regulation on the Labeling of Textile Products

The Ministry of Development, Industry and Trade of Guatemala, Nicaragua, Panama, and Costa Rica have updated the Central American Technical Regulation (RTCA) No. 59.01.08:12 on the labeling…

May 21, 2014

China to Standardize Instructions for Use of Textiles and Apparel

Mandatory Chinese national standard GB 5296.4-2012 “Instructions for use of products of consumer interest- Part 4: Textiles and apparel” is in effect and all textiles and apparel sold in…

May 21, 2014

Philippines FDA Releases Format for Cosmetics Label Information

The Philippines Food and Drug Administration released an information bulletin on how to read labels of cosmetics products. According to the bulletin, cosmetic labeling should contain the…

May 21, 2014

UL ICQ Hong Kong Receives HOKLAS Accreditation for Toy Related Standards

UL ICQ HK has recently received accreditation from HOKLAS for toy related standards for updated EN71-3 chemical requirements and electric toys testing of the EU Toy Safety Directive (2009…

Gloved hand holding a chemical vial in a laboratory setting

May 15, 2014

The Importance of Medical Surveillance in the Workplace

The term surveillance generally refers to “keeping a watchful eye over someone or something.” In the workplace, surveillance programs have been used to screen individuals for potential over-exposures or disease development.

Apr 29, 2014

Canada Bans TCEP in Children’s Polyurethane Foam Products

Details Schedule 2 to the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA) is amended by adding products that are made, in whole or in part, of polyurethane foam (PUF) that contains tris (2…

Apr 22, 2014

ECHA Publishes Community Rolling Action Plan (CoRAP) for 2014-2016

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has published the Community rolling action plan (CoRAP) update for years 2014-2016, which lists 120 substances for evaluation by the Member State…

Apr 22, 2014

UL Bangladesh Laboratory Approved for GB Physical and Analytical Testing

UL’s Bangladesh laboratory has been approved for physical and analytical testing according to GB standards for textiles and leather. Textiles and leather testing services now include pH,…

Apr 2, 2014

EU Amends Annex XVII to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, Chromium VI in Leather Goods

Details Commission Regulation (EU) No 301/2014 amends Annex XVII to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation…

Mar 27, 2014

New Chinese Mandatory Textile Standard – GB/T 29862-2013

Details On May 1, 2014, the new China national standard GB/T 29862-2013 Textiles-Identification of Fiber Content will replace the FZ/T 01053-2007. Textile and apparel products placed on the…

Mar 26, 2014

Concerns Raised on Use of PFCs in Apparel

Details Recent testing conducted on outdoor apparel found perfluorinated compounds (PFC) in the coatings or waterproof membranes of all items. These findings raise environmental concerns…