STR ANNOUNCES OPENING OF STATE-OF-THE-ART QUALITY AND SAFETY TESTING LABORATORY IN INDIA

STR is pleased to announce the opening of a new state-of-the-art textile, garment, and analytical chemistry laboratory in Manesar, India (Greater New Delhi). This facility will offer a broad range of safety testing and quality assurance services to major international brands and retailers, as well as their supply chain partners by applying internationally recognized testing standards for apparel, textile and leather products. Read more.

TOY INDUSTRY UPDATES

STR Plays Important Role In Development Of Toy Safety Standards

Susan DeRagon, Associate Director of STR's Toy and Premium Division has served as a member of the TIA/ANSI working committee since it was formed to develop the new Toy Safety Coordination Initiative (TSCI). More recently, Bryce E. Carson, Sr., President and CEO of STR-Registrar, LLC, began working with TIA/ANSI to participate in the development of the TSCI specific accreditation requirements for Product Certifiers. Read more.

State Of Massachusetts Bans Children's Jewelry With Dangerous Lead Levels

On March 12, 2008, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) announced new regulations banning the manufacture, transport or sale of children's leaded jewelry in Massachusetts and are effective June 13, 2008. Read more.

State Of Washington Enacts Children's Safe Products Act, E2SHB 2647

On April 1, 2008, Governor Chris Gregoire of the state of Washington, signed into law the Children's Safe Products Act. This law restricts total lead and cadmium as well as six phthalate plasticizers in children's products and is effective July 1, 2009. Read more.

State Of Oregon Enacts Children's Protection Legislation, House Bill 3631

On March 11, 2008, Governor Ted Kulongoski of Oregon, signed into law House Bill 3631 which prohibits retailers from selling, offering for sale, or distributing certain children's products. Read more.

EPA Issues TSCA Report Requirement For Lead In Children's Products

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a Final Rule under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) S8(d) to require certain manufacturers and importers of consumer products intended for use by children to report "unpublished health and safety data to EPA pertaining to lead content and exposure from such products" by April 28, 2008. Read more.

The article above was reprinted with the permission and authorization of the TIA - Toy Industry Association, Inc. For more information regarding TIA membership and the many benefits the association provides, please contact the TIA at: Toy Industry Association, Inc., 115 Broadway, New York, NY 10010. Tel.: 212-675-1141, Fax: 212-633-1429 or via e-mail: http://www.toy-tia.org/

U.S. Senate Voted To Enhance Toy Safety

The U.S. Senate passed the bill (H.R. 4040: CPSC Reform Act)2 in a 79 to 13 vote on March 6, 2008, that would make the ASTM F963, Standard Consumer Specification for Toy Safety, a mandatory federal requirement for all toys sold in the United States. Read more.

ASTM F963-08 Erratum

The ASTM Technical Committee F15.22 clarified that the ASTM F963-08 that was published in February, and made available on the ASTM website from 3/10 to 3/12, was incomplete and now has been removed. The incomplete 2008 version contains the revised requirement of "Folding Mechanisms and Hinges". The revised version will include approved new/revised requirements.

APPAREL/TEXTILE INDUSTRY UPDATES

16 CFR Part 1610 Standard For The Flammability Of Clothing Textiles Revision

The 16 CFR Part 1610 Standard for the Flammability of Clothing Textiles, has been revised. The pass/fail criteria have not changed. The revision includes modern testing apparatus and laundering/dry cleaning procedures. Click here for other major changes to the Standard.

STR Announces New Membership To American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA)

STR is pleased to announce our new membership with the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA). Membership gives our company access to the AAFA organization, specific notices of subject matter, seminars, and meetings, which are pertinent to STR's business. Visit AAFA.

American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) Sustainability Conference

The AAFA presents their Sustainability Conference, titled, "SUSTAINABILITY & The Triple Bottom Line: Turning Responsibility into Opportunity", being held in New York City at the Fashion Institute of Technology, Katie Murphy Amphitheater on Thursday, May 29, 2008. Read more.

EVENTS & SEMINARS

STR Exhibiting At Chinaplas 2008

Please visit STR at the Chinaplas 2008 Exhibition, booth W4R25 in Hall W4, taking place on April 17-20 at the Shanghai New International Expo Center. STR has the distinct combination of product knowledge, industry know-how and vast resources to deliver an unparalleled portfolio of quality assurance services to the global marketplace. Read more.

Shuster Laboratories To Exhibit At Food Safety Event

Shuster Laboratories will participate at the World Trade Group's Food Safety Event, being held April 30, 2008 at the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel & Convention Center in Chicago, IL. The conference will bring together food safety experts to analyze and discuss the current landscape in food safety and what companies can do to further secure their safety profile.

Shuster will showcase the company's comprehensive quality assurance, safety, and risk assessment services to help companies understand and mitigate the sources of product risk. If you would like to meet with the Shuster staff during the show, please contact Katie Griffin.

STR and Shuster Laboratories To Present Global Sourcing Session At National Restaurant Association (NRA) Show

Tom Harney, Associate Director, STR, will present a session on Global Sourcing at the NRA Trade Show, being held May 17-20, 2008 at McCormick Place in Chicago. IL. The session, "Taking The Mystery Out Of Global Sourcing for Restaurant Supplies", will provide a detailed overview of the sourcing process for foodservice establishments and offer actionable information to help successfully manage the critical steps along their supply chain.

Shuster Laboratories To Exhibit At The National Restaurant Association (NRA) Show

Please visit Shuster Laboratories at the NRA Show booth #9108, being held May 17-20, 2008 at McCormick Place in Chicago. IL. Shuster will showcase the company's comprehensive quality assurance and supply chain support services for the food service industry. If you would like to meet with the Shuster staff during the show, please contact Katie Griffin.

The International Consumer Product Health and Safety Organization(ICPHSO) Holds Midwest Training Event

The International Consumer Product Health and Safety Organization's (ICPHSO) Midwest Training Event will be held May 29, 2008 at the McDonald's Corporation Campus in Oak Brook, IL. Top officials from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, industry decision makers, outside attorneys, and consumer representatives will be making the presentations. You can register online by visiting the ICPHSO website.

RoHS UPDATES

California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) Launches Toxics In Consumer Products Team

In October 2007, the DTSC launched the Toxics in Consumer Products team whose goal is to establish an all encompassing strategy for the implementation and enforcement of all regulated consumer products and other requirements within DTSC's purview and to ensure effective internal and external communication and coordination with affected programs and stakeholders as new products become subject to regulation. As of early 2008, DTSC had regulatory authority over the attached consumer products.

European Union Assigns Norway-based Oko-Institut e.V. To Expand List Of Hazardous Substances Covered By RoHS

The Oko-Institut e.V. has been assigned with the study on hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment, currently not regulated by the EU RoHS Directive. The group identified 46 additional substances for review. The study shall provide necessary technical support to the EU Commission services for fulfilling RoHS Article 6. Read more.

DecaBDE Exemption Annulled

The European Court of First Instance has annulled the EU RoHS (Directive 2002/95/EC) exemption "DecaBDE in polymeric applications" from October 2005 (Decision 2005/717/EC). This will enter into force beginning July 1, 2008. The Court's judgment annuls the European Commissions exemption decision of 2005 on the basis that it did not follow the rules or procedural requirements that are laid down in the RoHS Directive itself. In other words, the decision to annul the exemption is based on what can be called a technicality. To learn more about how STR can assist you with RoHS, please contact Kevin A. Smith at mailto:rohs@strus.com

FOOD INDUSTRY UPDATES

European Commission Regulation On The Use Of Safe Recycled Plastics In Food Packaging

In order to ensure that food packaging made of recycled plastics is safe, the European Commission recently adopted a regulation. This action sets the conditions under which the manufacturers of food contact materials can use recycled plastics. The regulation aims to create a more efficient and practical system for regulating the use of recycled plastics in food packaging. It will guarantee EU consumers that only safe recycled plastic will reach the market. Read more.