Eurofins | July 2019 regulatory Newsflash compilation | Consumer Products
Standards Updates
Below a summary table with some recent standards updates and upcoming dates of withdrawal (non-exhaustive):
(*) Date of withdrawal: latest date by which national standards conflicting with an EN (and HD for CENELEC) have to be withdrawn.
(**) Date of availability: date when the definitive text in the official language versions of an approved CEN/CENELEC publication is distributed by the Central Secretariat.
Reference |
Title |
Date of Withdrawal (*) |
Supersedes |
Office furniture - Work tables - Part 2: Safety, strength and durability requirements. |
2019-11-30 |
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Paints and varnishes - Coating materials and coating systems for exterior wood - Part 10: Resistance to blocking of paints and varnishes on wood. |
2019-11-30 |
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Paints and varnishes - Determination of resistance to liquids - Part 3: Method using an absorbent medium (ISO 2812-3:2019). |
2019-11-30 |
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General methods of test for pigments and extenders - Part 17: Comparison of lightening power of white pigments (ISO 787-17:2019). |
2019-11-30 |
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Stationary training equipment - Part 9: Elliptical trainers, additional specific safety requirements and test methods - Amendment 1 (ISO 20957-9:2016/Amd 1:2019). |
2019-11-30 |
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New testing method for formaldehyde emission in wood-based materials
The Germany authorities included DIN EN 16516 in German Chemical Prohibition Ordinance (ChemVerbotsV) as one of the reference test methods for determining formaldehyde emission in wood-based materials.
Matrix |
Sample preparation |
Test method |
Liquid / aqueous Cleaning and household care products |
Extraction process |
Test method for liquid matrix: Photometry/HPLC BVL K 84.00-7(EG):1991-09; HPLC (DNPH Methode). |
Coated and uncoated wood materials |
From 1 January 2020, the following testing methods will be applied: |
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Reference |
Title |
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Construction products: Assessment of release of dangerous substances - Determination of emissions into indoor air.
Note: Emission measurement in the test chamber. Mean of a double determination from the 28th day as Steady state concentration. Air change 0.5/h, load 1.8 m2/m3; partial narrow-area sealing: circumference / area = 1.5 m-1 |
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Wood-based panels – Determination of formaldehyde release – Part 1: Formaldehyde emission by the chamber method.
Note: Emission measurement in the test chamber; Compensation concentration should be multiplied by a factor of 2. |
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z. B. EN ISO 12460-3 |
Wood-based panels – Determination of formaldehyde release – Part 3: Gas analysis method.
Note: Derived methods are only suitable for production control. For this purpose, a product-related manufacturer correlation is to be determined. |
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Until 31st December 2019 the following testing methods are valid |
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Reference |
Title |
|
Bundesgesundheitsblatt 34, 10 (1991), pages 488-499. |
Test method for wood-based materials and products manufactured from wood-based materials. |
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Wood-based panels – Determination of formaldehyde release – Part 1: Formaldehyde emission by the chamber method. |
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Wood-based panels – Determination of formaldehyde release – Part 3: Gas analysis method. |
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Wood-based panels – Determination of formaldehyde release – Part 5: Extraction method (called the perforator method). |
Click here for getting the amendment published in Federal Gazette (in German).
On 27th May 2019, the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) published the Communication No 19/2019 about glyphosate in tampons.
Glyphosate is a substance used in plant protection products as treatment of cotton which is the main component of tampons and feminine hygiene products.
BfR, after assessing the measured levels of this substance in this kind of products on the German market between 2015-2016, has concluded that the measured levels did not pose a health risk to consumers.
Standards Updates
Below a summary table with some recent ASTM standards updates:
Reference |
Title |
Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Expansion Gates and Expandable Enclosures. |
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Standard Specification for Condition 3 Bicycle Frames. |
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Standard Specification for Condition 1 Bicycle Frames. |
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Standard Specification for Condition 0 Bicycle Frames. |
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Standard Specification for Condition 2 Bicycle Frames. |
California Proposition 65 Reformulations (June, 2019)
California Proposition 65 is the ‘Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986’, which has been effective for almost 30 years. Due to the implement of California Proposition 65, more and more court cases are settled to reduce the exposure of carcinogenic and reproductive chemicals by reformulating the consumer products containing such chemicals.
In order to keep retailers and manufacturers up-to-date, the highlights of some recent consent agreements are summarized as below:
Product |
Chemical |
Limit |
Case No |
Rain slickers and dog whistles |
Lead DEHP |
100 ppm 1000 ppm Products exceed the limit shall utilize a warning statement. |
Out of court |
Revised guidelines for formaldehyde emissions in composite wood products
On 16th May 2019, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) published two updated guidelines for composite wood products under the CARB and the US EPA Title VI Regulation.
The aim of these guidelines is to provide assistance to comply with the mentioned legislation. The guidelines are:
- Status of US EPA Formaldehyde Regulation and a Comparison with CARB Regulation.
- Comparison of Key Requirements of CARB and US EPA TSCA Title VI Regulations to Reduce Formaldehyde Emissions from Composite Wood Products.
For California the more stringent requirement shall be applied in case of differences between CARB and EPA requirements.
Third amendment to Bill proposal on Hazardous substances in jewelry
On 20th June 2019, California proposed the third amendment of the SB 647 bill “Hazardous substances: metal-containing jewelry”, a Bill that was introduced in February 2019.
The main points about this bill proposal are:
Children's jewelry |
Lead (surface coatings). |
≤ 90 ppm |
Lead (accessible components). |
≤100 ppm |
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Soluble cadmium (surface coatings). |
≤ 75 ppm |
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Cadmium (components). |
≤ 300 ppm |
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For body piercing jewelry (that is not children’s jewelry). |
List of materials to be used in this type of jewelry:
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For jewelry that is not children’s jewelry |
The jewelry has to be made entirely from one or more than one of the following materials:
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Minnesota Strengthens Flame-retardant Chemicals Law in Certain Products
On May 22, 2019, Minnesota’s governor signed flame retardant bill HF 359 into law which amends Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 325F.071 by expanding the scope of products and flame retardants.
From July 1, 2021, manufacturers or wholesalers are not allowed to manufacture, sell, offer for sale, distribute for sale, or distribute for use in this State a children's product, upholstered residential furniture, residential textile, or mattress that contain any organohalogenated flame retardant exceeding 1,000 parts per million in any product component. The effective date for retailer to observe this ban is July 1, 2022.
The following are exempt from this prohibition:
- The sale or offer for sale of any previously owned product containing a chemical restricted under this section.
- An electronic component of a children’s product, mattress, upholstered residential furniture, or residential textile or associated casing.
- A children’s product, mattress, upholstered residential furniture, or residential textile where a federal flammability standard exists.
- Thread or fiber used for stitching mattress components together.
- Components of an adult mattress other than foam.
This new law also restricts the use of PFAS chemicals in firefighting foams.
For more information click here.
New Jersey prohibits Asbestos in all kind of products
As already announced in our Eurofins News Flash May 2019 edition, in March 2019, New Jersey passed Assembly Bill A4416 to prohibit the sale or distribution of products containing asbestos in this State.
On 10th May 2019, the Bill AB 4416 was signed (“An Act Concerning the Sale or Distribution of Products Containing Asbestos, and Supplementing Title 13 of the Revised Statutes”).
The prohibition will become effective on 1st September 2019.
New requirements for environmental marketing claims
On 7th May 2019, the governor of Washington signed the bill HB1569 on environmental marketing claims for plastic products (degradability of products).
Plastic product that is labeled as "biodegradable”, "degradable", "decomposable", "oxo-degradable", or any similar form, must comply with the following requirements:
- Meet ASTM standard specification D6400 or D6868.
- Be comprised of wood, which includes renewable wood, or fiber-based substrate only.
- Meet Federal Trade Commission (FTC) green guide labeling requirements.
- Be labeled with a logo indicating a third party has certified that the product complies with ASTM specifications.
It will become effective on 1st July 2020.
Approval and release of national standards 2019
Recently, the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), the Standardization Administration of the People’s Republic of China (SAC) and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the People’s Republic of China published the announcement No.7 of 2019 and announcement No. 16 of 2019 ([First document] & [Second document] in Chinese) on the approval of national standards and national standard amendments.
Below a summary table with some of the relevant textile standards (non-exhaustive list):
Product Standard |
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Reference |
Title |
Replace to |
Implementation date |
FZ/T 72002-2019 |
Silver knitting fake fur. |
FZ/T 72002-2006 |
2019-11-01 |
FZ/T 72007-2019 |
Warp knitted fake fur. |
FZ/T 72007-2006 |
2019-11-01 |
FZ/T 72024-2019 |
Bedding with knitted fabric. |
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2019-11-01 |
FZ/T 72025-2019 |
Knitted fabric for trousers. |
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2019-11-01 |
FZ/T 73029-2019 |
Knitted trousers. |
FZ/T 73029-2009 |
2019-11-01 |
FZ/T 73037-2019 |
Knitted sport socks. |
FZ/T 73037-2010 |
2019-11-01 |
FZ/T 73061-2019 |
Knitted jacket. |
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2019-11-01 |
FZ/T 73062-2019 |
Knitted beachwear. |
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2019-11-01 |
FZ/T 73063-2019 |
Knitted maternity wear. |
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2019-11-01 |
FZ/T 74007-2019 |
Outdoor sunscreen skinsuit. |
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2019-11-01 |
FZ/T 81023-2019 |
Water-proof and moisture permeable wear. |
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2019-11-01 |
FZ/T 07003-2019 |
Technical specification for green-design product assessment–Silk products. |
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GB/T 22703-2019 |
Qipao. |
GB/T 22703-2008 |
2020-01-01 |
GB/T 22853-2019 |
Knitted sportswear. |
GB/T 22853-2009 |
2020-01-01 |
Test Method Standard |
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Reference |
Title |
Replace to |
Implementation date |
FZ/T 01148-2019 |
Textiles–Determination of adipic acid dihydrazide–LC-MS/MS. |
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2019-11-01 |
FZ/T 20033-2019 |
Determination of heterochromatic fibers and vegetable matter in wool and cashmere. |
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2019-11-01 |
FZ/T 50045-2019 |
Elastane filament yarns– Test method for cross-sectional area. |
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2019-11-01 |
GB/T 18886-2019 |
Textiles-Tests for colourfastness-Colourfastness to saliva. |
GB/T 18886-2002 |
2020-01-01 |
GB/T 21655.2-2019 |
Textiles—Evaluation of absorption and quick-drying—Part 2: Method for moisture management tests. |
GB/T 21655.2-2009 |
2020-01-01 |
GB/T 22701-2019 |
Rules of testing and inspection for professional clothing. |
GB/T 22701-2008 |
2020-01-01 |
GB/T 23317-2019 |
Specification for clothing made of coated fabrics for protection against wet weather. |
GB/T 23317-2009 |
2020-01-01 |
Some relevant standards related to toys, children’s products and others (non-exhaustive list):
No. |
Standard No. |
Standard Name |
Implementation Date |
1 |
GB/T 37624-2019 |
Stationery and sport products and parts—General requirements on volatile organic compounds (VOC). |
2020-01-01 |
2 |
GB/T 37647-2019 |
Toy and children product—General principles for migration test of certain elements. |
2020-01-01 |
3 |
GB/T 37651-2019 |
Stationery goods—Safety signs. |
2020-01-01 |
4 |
GB/T 37638-2019 |
Determination of polybrominated biphenyls and polybrominated biphenyl ethers in plastic products—High performance liquid chromatography. |
2020-01-01 |
5 |
GB/T 37639-2019 |
Determination of polybrominated biphenyls and polybrominated diphenyl ethers in plastic products—Gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. |
2020-01-01 |
6 |
GB/T 37545-2019 |
Determination of 38 kinds of permitted colorants in cosmetics—High performance liquid chromatography. |
2020-01-01 |
7 |
GB/T 18886-2019 |
Textiles-Tests for colour fastness-Colour fastness to saliva. |
2020-01-01 |
Publications in the Series on the Safety of Manufactured Nanomaterials
In May 2019, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) published the following reports as part of its Series on the Safety of Manufactured Nanomaterials:
- 91 - Guiding Principles for Measurements and Reporting for Nanomaterials: Physical Chemical Parameters
- 90 - Physical-Chemical Decision Framework to inform Decisions for Risk Assessment of Manufactured Nanomaterials
- 89 - Developments in Delegations on the Safety of Manufactured Nanomaterials - Tour de Table
The aim of these documents is to identify the best parameters and methods for analyzing and getting physicochemical information on specific nanomaterials.
Below a summary table with some recent regulation proposals notified to World Trade Organization:
Notification number |
Countries |
Title |
Korea |
A draft revision of safety criteria for Umbrella & Parasol. |
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Ecuador |
Draft second revision (2R) of Ecuadorian Standardization Institute Technical Regulation (PRTE INEN) No. 061 "Paints".
It applies to the following products:
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Ecuador |
Draft first revision (1R) of Ecuadorian Technical Regulation PRTE INEN No. 132, "Absorbent paper products".
It applies to the following products:
It does not apply to:
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Ecuador |
Draft first revision (1R) of Ecuadorian Technical Regulation PRTE INEN No. 213 "Mattresses"). |
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China |
Management Measures for Compulsory National Standards (Review draft). |