Feature Stories

Dec 18, 2013

New Mobile App Checks Cosmetic Product Ingredients

A new mobile application has been developed that will help consumers check cosmetic product ingredients by scanning the bar code of a product from any participating manufacturer. Once the…

Dec 18, 2013

OEHHA Adopts Reference Exposure Levels for Caprolactam

The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) of California has adopted the Reference Exposure Levels on the use of caprolactam. Caprolactam is the monomer used in the…

Dec 18, 2013

OEHHA’s Intent to List Unrefined Rapeseed Oil as Carcinogen

The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) has released its intent to list emissions from high-temperature unrefined rapeseed oil as a carcinogen under the Safe Drinking…

Dec 18, 2013

Request for Scientific Opinion for Nano Silica in Cosmetics

A request for scientific opinion on the safety of nano silica in cosmetics products is being done by the European Commission (EC), as these ingredients are not regulated in Cosmetic…

Dec 18, 2013

Scotland Government Tightens Food Safety Law

The Scotland government is taking initiative on their food safety law, following Europe's wide horsemeat scandal, with a legislation that will create a new food body and will be included in…

Dec 18, 2013

Study: Frozen Fruits Contain Same Nutritional Value as Corresponding Fresh Items

According to a study from the Frozen Food Foundation and the University of Georgia, the nutritional value of many frozen fruits and vegetables is generally equal to that of their fresh…

Dec 18, 2013

Two Changes Made to Children's Product Chemical List

The Washington Department of Ecology has adopted changes to the Children's Safe Product Act reporting list, which specifies the chemicals of high concern that children's product…

Dec 18, 2013

U.S. Introduces Textile Fraud Bill

A group of U.S. House lawmakers has introduced new legislation, known as the Textile Enforcement and Security Act, which aims to limit textile import fraud and transshipments. The act is…

Dec 18, 2013

UL Consumer Product Group Announces 2014 Monthly Webinar Program

A company's brand is often its most valuable asset and safeguarding brand reputation is of particular importance for toy, nursery and children's product manufacturers, suppliers and…

Dec 18, 2013

Updated Eco Textile Labelling Guide for 2014

An updated version of the Eco Textile Labelling Guide, available April 2014, will inform readers on the latest mandatory and voluntary organic textile standards and certifications including…

Dec 12, 2013

EU Amends Annex XVII to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, PAH in Consumer Goods

Details Commission Regulation (EU) No 1272/2013 amends Annex XVII to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the Registration, Evaluation,…

Nov 20, 2013

CEN Develops New Amendment EN 71-1 for Cardboard Toys

The European Committee for Standardization (CEN) is developing two new amendments to EN 71-1, applicable to cardboard books and cardboard present in toys. The first (A1), is intended to…

Nov 20, 2013

CPSC Approves New Bassinet and Cradle Standard

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has approved a new federal mandatory safety standard for bassinets and cradles. The new federal standard is an incorporation of the…

Nov 20, 2013

Drug Compounding Bill Passed by U.S. Congressional Panels

Legislation that will give more authority to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in regulating drug compounding across state lines has been agreed upon by the U.S. House of…

Nov 20, 2013

EC Adds Two New Substances to Commission Regulation (EU) No 10/2011

The European Commission (EC) has notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) on the amendment of Commission Regulation (EU) No. 10/2011, adding two new substances as food contact plastic…

Nov 20, 2013

EC Approves Iodine as Active Substance in Biocidal Products

The European Commission (EC) has notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) of the approval of the iodine as an active substance used in biocidal products. The implementing regulation is…

Nov 20, 2013

EPA Publishes Significant New Use Rule Under Toxic Substances Control Act

The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) has published a significant new use rule (SNUR) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) that requires prior notification to the EPA before a…

Nov 20, 2013

EPA Releases Alternatives for Flame Retardant Chemical HBCD

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released alternatives for the flame retardant chemical hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD). The draft report is intended to promote the design…

Nov 20, 2013

EU to Bans Five Parabens in Cosmetics

The European Commission (EC) is set to ban five parabens in all cosmetics products and personal care due to the concern for human use. The five parabens to be removed are: …

Nov 20, 2013

FDA Defines “Gluten-Free” Labeling

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has defined the term "gluten-free" for voluntary food labeling. The standard will provide consumers the assurance that food products are gluten…