Feature Stories

Jul 28, 2014

EU Amends Toy Safety Directive for BPA Limit

The European Commission (EC) has adopted Directive 2014/81/EU, which sets a limit on bisphenol-A (BPA) of 0.1 mg/l (migration limit) in all toys intended for children up to the age of 3…

Jul 28, 2014

Illinois Issues Food Handler Law

The State of Illinois recently adopted a Food Handler Law. Beginning July 1, 2014 restaurant employees in direct contact with food preparation, are required to complete the Illinois Food…

Jul 28, 2014

Korea Establishes GMP for Cosmetics

The Republic of Korea has proposed amendments to the "Enforcement Rules of the Cosmetic Act" to support companies compliant with 'Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)', with the purpose of…

Jul 28, 2014

Maine Proposes Designating Four Phthalates as Priority Chemicals

The state of Maine has issued a proposed rule (Chapter 888) that would designate four phthalates as priority chemicals and require manufacturers or distributors to report the intentional…

Jul 28, 2014

Rhode Island Passes Bill for Children’s Jewelry Safety Act

The state of Rhode Island passed HB 7157 / SB 2278, amending the Comprehensive Children's Jewelry Safety Act to require all children's jewelry "sold" to meet ASTM F 2923-11, a specification…

Jul 28, 2014

U.S. Congress Considering Bill to Ban BPA Ban From Food Packaging

Legislation entitled “The Ban Poisonous Additives Act” has been introduced by Democrats in both chambers of the U.S. Congress to ban bisphenol-A (BPA) from food packaging. According to the…

Jul 28, 2014

UK FSA to Consider Proposals for the Sale of Raw or Unpasteurized Milk

The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) is being asked to consider new proposals for the sale of raw, or unpasteurized, milk. These would include exploring the scope for wider access to raw milk…

Jul 28, 2014

UL Hong Kong Laboratory Provides Professional Wetcleaning Test for Textile Products

UL Consumer Products Hong Kong Laboratory can now provide professional wetcleaning services for textile and apparel products, in accordance with test standard ISO 3175-4:2003. Professional…

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

California Senate Passes Bill on Flame-Retardant Chemicals in Upholstered Furniture

California Senate has passed Bill Senate Bill No. 1019 regarding upholstered furniture containing flame retardant chemicals. The bill requires manufacturers to indicate whether the…

Jun 25, 2014

California Senate Passes Warning Label Bill for Sugar-Sweetened Drinks

California Senate Bill No. 1000, which would require safety warning labels on sugar-sweetened beverages, has passed in the Senate and is now moving to the Assembly. If enacted into law, the…

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

ECHA Lists Four More Substances of Very High Concern

The Member State Committee (MSC) of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has added four new Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) to the Candidate List, bringing the total to 155…

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…