Feature Stories

Mar 25, 2014

California Introduces “Emergency Legislation” to Repeal Glove Law for Food Preparers

A key member of the California State Assembly has introduced "emergency legislation" that would undo the newly-enacted law by requiring that food preparers use gloves or utensils when…

Mar 25, 2014

Canada Amends Domestic Substances List

Canada is amending its Domestic Substances List by adding 19 substances and correcting the listing for one substance. The objectives of Orders 2013-87-12-01 and 2014-66-02-01 Amending the…

Mar 25, 2014

Connecticut Considers Adoption of ASTM Standard on Cadmium in Children’s Jewelry

Connecticut’s General Assembly is considering Senate Bill No. 84, An Act Concerning Cadmium in Children’s Jewelry. The Bill would ban the manufacture, sale, offer for sale or distribution…

Mar 25, 2014

CPSC Approves New Federal Safety Standard for Carriages and Strollers

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has approved a new federal mandatory standard intended to improve the safety of infants’ and children’s carriages and strollers. The…

Mar 25, 2014

CPSC Warns Consumers of the Deadly Dangers of Storage and Toy Chests

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is renewing its warning to consumers about the dangers associated with storage, cedar, hope and toy chests. Lids on millions of storage…

Mar 25, 2014

EC Recommends Monitoring for Traces of Brominated Flame Retardants in Food

The European Commission (EC) has asked Member States to monitor the presence of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) in food over the next two years. The move is in response to EFSA’s…

Mar 25, 2014

EU Amends Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 on Food Contact Articles

The European Union (EU) has amended Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 on plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with food. Dating back to July 2012, the European Food Safety…

Mar 25, 2014

EU Committee Approves Preservatives Restrictions for Cosmetics

The European Commission's Standing Committee on Cosmetics has adopted draft regulations restricting the use of several substances under the cosmetics Regulation. Draft legislation aimed at…

Mar 25, 2014

EU SCCS Seeks Scientific Opinion for Silica (nano) in Cosmetics

The Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) has received a request for a scientific opinion on the safety of Silica (nano) in cosmetic products including: Silica (nano) CAS n…

Mar 25, 2014

FDA Agrees to New Deadlines for FSMA Rules

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has agreed to deadlines on final food safety rules mandated by the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). The consent agreement, issued by the U…

Mar 25, 2014

FDA Proposes Updates to Nutrition Facts Label on Food Packages

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed to update the Nutrition Facts label for packaged foods to reflect the latest scientific information, including the link between diet…

Mar 25, 2014

Japan’s MHLW Strengthens Cosmetics Supervision

The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) announced in the MHLW Ordinance NO.13 an amendment to the Implementation Rule of Pharmaceutical Affairs Law and the GVP Ministerial…

Mar 25, 2014

Korea Proposes Color Ingredients Regulation for Cosmetic Products

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in Korea has proposed a regulation that aims to specify color ingredients that can be used when manufacturing and importing cosmetic products. The…

Mar 25, 2014

NY Seeks to Ban Plastic Microbeads Found in Cosmetics

New York state seeks to become the first in the nation to ban personal cosmetics containing plastic microbeads after the tiny plastic beads have been found accumulating at “alarmingly high…

Mar 25, 2014

OEHHA Extends Public Comment Period for Listing Nitrite in Combination with Amines or Amides 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

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 19, 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 14, 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 5, 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…

Feb 27, 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…