Feature Stories

OEHHA Reviewing Three Chemicals for Possible Listing under Proposition 65

The California Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) intends to list chemicals as known to the state to cause cancer under the Safe…

Mar 25, 2014

Firestop Contractor Programs

Qualified Firestop Contractor Program for U.S. and Canada In the built environment, firestop systems are a critical safeguard against the spread of heat, fire or smoke through breaches in…

Mar 19, 2014

DTSC Identifies Priority Products Under Safer Consumer Products Program

Details The California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) has announced a proposed list of three “Priority Products” under the Safer Consumer Products (SCP) program. Also known…

Mar 14, 2014

UL Field Sample Testing of Automatic Sprinklers

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard for the Inspection, Testing and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems, NFPA 25, requires building owners to have their…

Mar 5, 2014

Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan Set Hydroscopicity Requirement for Undergarments

Details The Eurasian Economic Commission’s requirement for hydroscopicity at no less than six percent in underwear and base layer clothing imported, made, or sold in Russia, Belarus and…

Feb 27, 2014

Brazilian Regulatory Agencies Consider Cadmium Limits for Jewelry

Four government regulatory agencies in Brazil are exploring the possibility of establishing a regulation that would set limits on cadmium found in jewelry. The decision to create the…

Feb 26, 2014

ECHA Adds Three Substances to SVHC Intentions

Five substances have been notified to the Registry of Intention to the European Chemicals Agency. Denmark has headed the dossier sent to ECHA. Source

Feb 26, 2014

UL Shanghai Laboratory Relocates to New State-of-the-Art Facility

UL Consumer Products has relocated its laboratory to a new facility in Shanghai, one of the most prosperous cities in China. The new lab specializes in consumer products’ testing from…

Feb 26, 2014

BfR Recommends Restriction on Use of Vitamin A in Cosmetic Products

The Bundesinstitut fur Risikobewertung (BfR) is recommending for the restriction of Vitamin A in use for cosmetic products especially for faces and hand care. According to the group,…

Feb 25, 2014

California Department of Public Health Launch Online Safe Cosmetics Program

California state public health officials have launched an online cosmetic database which provides suspected harmful chemicals found in a certain cosmetics products. The online database…

Feb 25, 2014

CEN Mandates to Standardize Permanently Installed Outdoor Fitness Equipment

The European Committee for Standardization (CEN) is developing a new standard (prEN 16630:2013) which specifies the general requirements for the production, installation, inspection and…

Feb 25, 2014

China Amends New Cosmetic Ingredient Registration Management Rules

The China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) has published an amendment for new cosmetic ingredient registration management rules, where major changes include a four-year protection period…

Feb 25, 2014

China Releases draft on the Regulations on Safety Evaluation of Disinfection Products

The National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC) has released a draft on the Regulations on Safety Evaluation of Disinfection Products, which shows a set of detailed requirements…

Feb 25, 2014

CPSC Drafts Final Rule on Safety Standards for Carriages and Strollers

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has released the draft of the final rule pertaining to the safety standards for carriages and strollers. The rule would become effective…

Feb 25, 2014

CPSC Issues New Federal Safety Standard for Infant Bedside Sleepers

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a federal mandatory standard aimed to improve the safety of bedside sleepers. The new rule incorporates by reference the…

Feb 25, 2014

EFSA Opens Public Consultation on Limiting BPA Exposure Limit

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) under the Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes, Flavourings and Processing Aids (CEF) is inviting the public for consultation the draft opinion…

Feb 25, 2014

FDA Proposes Rule on Sanitary Transportation of Human and Animal Food

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is proposing that shippers, receivers, and carriers who are transporting human and animal food by motor or rail vehicles take appropriate…

Feb 25, 2014

Korea Releases Safety Standards of Cosmetics Products

The Republic of Korea has released the regulation on the safety standards of cosmetics and others. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety aims to establish a rationale for the regulation. …

Feb 25, 2014

Maine’s New GMO Food Labeling Requirement

The State of Maine enacted a law requiring the labeling of foods made with genetically modified organisms (GMO). The bill requires that genetically engineered food being sold in retail must…

Feb 25, 2014

New California Law Requires Gloves for Contact with Ready-to-Eat Foods

The State of California passed a law revising the Retail Food Code, which now prohibits food establishments from bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods, beginning on Jan. 1, 2014. The…

Feb 25, 2014