Feature Stories

Jan 24, 2014

Shanghai Adjusts Cosmetics Production Supervision

The Shanghai Food and Drug Administration of China has announced new adjustments for the cosmetics industry for receiving a license for cosmetics production. According to the policy, the…

Jan 24, 2014

U.S. CBP Recognizes ISO 20871 to Test Footwear with Textile Outsoles

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has determined that ISO 20871 would be used to assess the characteristics of textile material attached to outer soles. Some issues regarding…

Jan 24, 2014

U.S. CPSC Publishes New Safety Standard for Durable Infant or Toddler Products

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has approved a new safety standard concerning the improvement of the safety of for durable infant or toddler products including infant…

Jan 24, 2014

U.S. FDA Proposes New Food Defense Rule under FSMA

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has proposed a defense rule that will require the largest food businesses in the U.S. and abroad to take steps to prevent facilities from being the…

Jan 24, 2014

U.S. FDA Updates Food Code with 2013 Edition

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has updated and released the Food Code 2013 to replace Food Code 2009 and the 2011 supplement. The Food Code is a model guide safeguarding…

Jan 24, 2014

U.S. Introduces Update for Production Diversification and Trade Enhancement Act

The U.S. Senate has introduced the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) Update for Production Diversification and Trade Enhancement (UPDATE) Act, which would make U.S. travel goods…

Jan 24, 2014

U.S. Senator Calls for Federal Action to Ban Phthalates in Children’s Products

A new legislation will be introduced by U.S. Senator Kirstin Gillibrand in an effort to permanently ban six phthalates in all children’s products. Phthalates are chemicals being linked to…

Jan 24, 2014

ZDHC Releases Framework for Prioritizing Hazardous Chemicals in Textiles

The Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) Joint Roadmap has released a framework for prioritizing hazardous chemicals found in textiles, which acknowledges the need to evaluate…

Jan 16, 2014

UL Offers New Sunglass Testing Service Complying with EN ISO 12312-1

On February 28, 2014, EN ISO 12312-1:2012 will replace EN 1836:2005+A1:2007. ISO 12312-1:2012 is applicable to all afocal (plano power) sunglasses and clip-ons for general use, including…

Jan 3, 2014

UL VS United Kingdom Ltd. Receives ISO 17020 Inspections Accreditation

Details UL VS United Kingdom Ltd. has received UKAS accreditation for ISO 17020 Inspections maintaining our Notified Body status for EU Toy Safety Directive (2009/48/EC) and Low Voltage…

Dec 23, 2013

Cosmetics Europe Calls for the Use of MIT to be Discontinued

Details The European cosmetics trade association, Cosmetics Europe, following discussions with the European Society of Contact Dermatitis (ESCD), recommends that the use of…

Dec 19, 2013

FDA Proposes Ban on Antibacterial Soaps

Details The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a proposed rule to ban certain ingredients in antibacterial soaps, thereby amending the 1994 tentative final monograph or…

Dec 18, 2013

Canada Announces New Penalties for Meat Safety Violations

The Government of Canada has announced the introduction of new penalties for businesses that fail to abide by the Canadian meat safety requirements. The increased fines, known as…

Dec 18, 2013

CEH Identifies Harmful Flame Retardant Chemicals in Children’s Furniture

The Center for Environmental Health (CEH) has composed a report identifying harmful flame retardant chemicals found during recent tests of children's furniture. The CEH report, entitled …

Dec 18, 2013

CPSC Issues Final Rule on Tests for Toy Caps and Toy Guns

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a final rule regarding the appropriate testing for caps used with toy guns and toy guns not intended to be used with caps. …

Dec 18, 2013

ECHA Opens Public Comment on Proposal to Restrict NPs and NPEs in Textiles

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has opened a public comment on the proposed restrictions submitted by Sweden on the use of nonylphenols (NPs) and nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs) for…

Dec 18, 2013

ECHA Updates REACH SVHC Candidate List with Seven New Substances

Details The Member State Committee (MSC) of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has added seven new Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) to the Candidate List, bringing the total to 151…

Dec 18, 2013

EU and U.S. Continue Cosmetics Regulations Talks

The European Union (EU) and U.S. representatives have concluded their second round of week-long negotiations for the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership where negotiating teams…

Dec 18, 2013

Hawaii Health Department Proposes New Restaurant Food Safety Rules

The Hawaii State Department of Health has proposed new food safety rules for restaurants and other food establishments that will signify the first major change to its food safety regulation…

Dec 18, 2013

Hazardous Toy Dolls Arriving From China Seized at Eight U.S. Ports

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recently seized more than 200,000 toy dolls arriving from China, after finding that the toy…