Feature Stories

Apr 20, 2015

Illinois State Legislature Aims to Amend Food Handling Regulation Enforcement Act

The State Legislature of Illinois has introduced House Bill 3495 amending the Food Handling Regulation Enforcement Act. The amendment proposes the addition of Section 5 which would require…

Apr 20, 2015

Ireland Enforces New Rules for Country of Origin Labeling

Ireland has signed into law new rules for country of origin labeling on packaged meat products, effective April 1, 2015. The new rule is applicable to food business operators, including…

Apr 20, 2015

Japan Announces New Restriction for Azo Dyes in Textile, Leather and Fur Products

The government of Japan has proposed new restrictions that will prohibit the marketing of household products with azo compounds beyond the criteria specified in the Act on Control of…

Apr 20, 2015

Legislation Proposed for a Safer and Child-Resistant Packaging for Liquid Detergent Packets

Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-CA) is has introduced the Detergent Poisoning and Child Safety (PACS) Act to help ensure that the single-serve detergent packs will no longer threaten…

Apr 20, 2015

Massachusetts Drafts Bill Concerning Toxic Chemicals List in Children’s Consumer Products

The State of Massachusetts has introduced House Bill 697 which amends the General Laws by adding Sections 24-28 to Chapter 21 A and establishes that the Administrative Council of the Toxics…

Apr 20, 2015

Massachusetts House Refers Bill Relative to the Sale of Children’s Jewelry

The House of the State of Massachusetts has referred HB 253: An Act Relative to the Sale of Children’s Jewelry to the House Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure. The…

Apr 20, 2015

Massachusetts Introduces Bill to Regulate Cosmetics Ingredients

The State of Massachusetts introduced House Bill 2079: An Act Relative to Healthy Cosmetics, to regulate ingredients used in cosmetics. The bill states that a manufacturer who distributes,…

Apr 20, 2015

MFDS Amends Usage Limit for Two Cosmetic Ingredients

The Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) has amended the usage limit for the following cosmetic ingredients: Ingredient Name Usage Limit Prohibition Compounds of…

Apr 20, 2015

Minnesota Introduces Bills for Hazardous Chemical Labeling and Reporting Information for Children’s Products

The State of Minnesota has introduced two bills regulating the labeling and reporting of hazardous chemicals in children’s products. HF 1553, requiring labeling of children's products…

Apr 20, 2015

New York Assembly Introduces Bill for Establishing Standard for Cadmium in Children’s Jewelry

The Assembly of the State of New York has introduced Assembly Bill 6672 which amends the Public Health Law by directing the Commissioner of Health to establish a standard for the use of…

Apr 20, 2015

Oregon Introduces Bill on High Priority Chemicals of Concern for Children’s Health

The introduction of Oregon State House Bill 3473 the Toxic-Free Kids Act is intended to establish and maintain a list of high priority chemicals of concern for children’s health and…

Apr 20, 2015

Rhode Island Looks to Ban Use of Formaldehyde in Certain Children’s Products

The State of Rhode Island has introduced House Bill 5691 which would add Chapter 94: Formaldehyde Control to Title 23 of the General Laws. If passed, the bill would ban the use of…

Apr 20, 2015

RIVM Releases Report on Hazardous Substances in Textiles

The Netherlands National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) has released a report presenting a prioritization method on a chemical's use, potency and hazard…

Apr 20, 2015

Scotland Launches New Food Standards Safety Body

The government of Scotland has established Food Standards Scotland (FSS), taking over the responsibilities previously carried out by the United Kingdom’s Food Standards Agency, and with…

Apr 20, 2015

Senate Introduces New TSCA Reform Bill

Senators Tom Udall (D-NM) and David Vitter (R-LA) have introduced the bill entitled “The Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act,” amending the 40-year-old Toxic…

Apr 20, 2015

Taiwan to Begin Inspection of Children’s Raincoats for Phthalates, Heavy Metals, and Drawstrings

Taiwan has published in its official gazette the mandatory inspection of children’s rainwear for eight phthalates and eight heavy metals. Domestically produced and imported raincoats will…

Apr 20, 2015

TFDA Finalizes the Rules on the Nutritional Claims of Packaged Food

Taiwan’s Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) has finalized rules for the nutritional claims of packaged food that will be implemented beginning January 1, 2016. The final rule includes the…

Apr 20, 2015

Turkey Expands List of Restricted Chemicals in Certain Consumer Products

The government of Turkey has expanded the list of chemicals restricted from use in certain consumer products, and the newly added chemicals will be subjected to market surveillance. The…

Apr 20, 2015

WA House Passes Flame Retardants Bill for Furniture and Children’s Products

Washington State's House of Representatives has passed Bill HB 1174, also known as the “Toxic-Free Kids and Families Act,” banning five flame retardants that have been designated by the…

Apr 16, 2015

Behind the Scenes: Assessing Wearable Battery Safety

Fashion brands today incorporate electronics into their products to satisfy today’s fashion-conscious consumer. When a major U.S. brand started the early concept design of a “power bank”…