Feature Stories

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…

Jun 25, 2014

FTC Approves Final Amendments to Wool Products Labeling Rules

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has approved final changes to its Wool Products Labeling Rules (Wool Rules) that clarify and update the Rules, provide more flexibility to industry, and…

Jun 25, 2014

Illinois Bans Microbeads from Personal Care Products, Other U.S States and EU May Follow

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed legislation banning the manufacture and sale of personal care products containing synthetic plastic “microbeads” - tiny bits of plastic used in personal…

Jun 25, 2014

U.S. EPA Releases Two Safer Alternatives for Flame Retardants

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing safer alternatives to the flame retardants now used in consumer and commercial products, including building insulation, car…

Jun 25, 2014

U.S. EPA Releases Updated Chemical Reporting Database

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released an updated 2012 Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) database, which is used to find a range of chemical-specific information submitted…

Jun 25, 2014

U.S. FDA Issues Final Rule Setting Manufacturing Standards for Infant Formula

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a final rule, setting standards for manufacturers of infant formula to help ensure that product formulations made for the U.S. market…

Jun 25, 2014

ZDHC Publishes List of Manufacturing Restricted Substances

The Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) group has released its Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (MRSL) for the apparel and footwear industry, setting concentration limits…

USA flag pin in international collection

Jun 17, 2014

UL tops the world in issuing IECEE certificates

With a rate outpacing the overall growth of IECEE certificates issued worldwide for four consecutive years, UL is the world’s number one IECEE certificate issuer in 2013. More than 80,000…

May 28, 2014

Minnesota Becomes the First State to Ban Triclosan in Most Consumer Hygienic Products

Details On Friday, May 23, 2014, the state of Minnesota became the first state to ban the germ-killing chemical, Triclosan, in soaps, deodorants, toothpastes, body washes, and other…

May 21, 2014

California Adds N,N-Dimethyl-p-toluidine List of Proposition 65 Chemicals

For purposes of Proposition 65, the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) has added N,N-dimethyl-p-toluidine to the list of chemicals known to the state to cause cancer. …

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

European Commission Approves of Two Biocidal Active Substances

The European Commission (EC) has approved of 4,5-Dichloro-2-octyl-2H-isothiazol-3-one and cyproconazole as an existing active substance for use in biocidal products. The competent…

May 21, 2014

FDA Finalizes Rule Prohibiting Certain Nutrient Content Claims

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is publishing a final rule prohibiting certain nutrient content claims for foods that contain the omega-3 fatty acids docosahexaenoic acid (DHA),…

May 21, 2014

FTC Approves Amendments to Fur Products Labeling Act Regulations

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) amended its Regulations under the Fur Products Labeling Act (Fur Rules). The amended regulations will update the Fur Products Name Guide, provide…

May 21, 2014

Hong Kong Releases Food Microbiological Guidelines

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China and Hong Kong has released microbiological guidelines concerning food…

May 21, 2014

New Indonesian National Standard for Toys Takes Effect

Toy companies exporting products to Indonesia will be required to comply with the new Indonesian National Standard for Toys (SNI Regulation 24/M-IND/PER/4/2013) calling for additional…

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

SIS Approves STD-101591 Standard for Safety of Toys

The Swedish Standards Institute (SIS) has approved the article number STD-101591 concerning the olfactory board games, cosmetic kits and gustative games as part of the safety of toys. The…

May 21, 2014

Study: Baby Gate-Related Injuries Nearly Quadrupled Since 1990

A study from researchers at the Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s Center for Injury Research and Policy has found baby gates can lead to injury if used incorrectly. From 1990 through 2010,…