TOY INDUSTRY UPDATES

New Toy Regulations And Standards for The UK, France, Germany And The Philippines

Recently, many safety recalls in the world have been found related to the magnet detaching from children's products. Following the ASTM F963-07, United Kingdom and France have also published their own requirements to regulate the products containing magnets. Read more.

The German government will issue a new regulation for toys with magnets. This new regulation will be immediately in force. All toys which carry in any form a magnet or toys which have magnets in their accessories must be marked with a statement about swallowing or inhaling the magnets. Read more.

To ensure the safety of Filipino children using locally manufactured or imported toys or any other plaything intended for children, the Department of Trade and Industry DTI has established the Philippine National Standard for toys which include regulations governing the licensing, monitoring and inspection of manufacturers, importers and distributors of toys in the Philippines and outlines their requirements with respect to the manufacture, importation, distribution, testing, analysis, labeling and packaging of toys. Read more.

FOOD AND DRUG INDUSTRY UPDATES

FDA Extends Comment Period For Proposed Sunscreen Rule

The Food and Drug Administration announced that it will be extending the comment period on the agency's proposed sunscreen regulation to Dec. 26, 2007. The sunscreen rule, when finalized, will amend the 1999 FDA final rule on sunscreen products that protect against ultraviolet B (UVB) rays and incorporates new testing and labeling requirements for products that protect against ultraviolet A (UVA) rays. Read more.

FDA Issues An Advance Notice Of Proposed Rule Making To Revise The Reference Values And Mandatory Nutrients

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is issuing this advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) to request comment on what new reference values the agency should use to calculate the percent daily value (DV) in the Nutrition Facts and Supplement Facts labels and what factors the agency should consider in establishing such new reference values. Read more.

RoHS UPDATES

UK RoHS Enforcement Body Progress Update

The NWML (National weights and Measures Laboratory), the UK RoHS enforcement body, has published a report detailing their progress in RoHS enforcement and actions taken to date. The basic approach has been to work with industry, both generally and in individual cases, rather than against it. In doing so the NWML has recognized genuine difficulties faced by companies in implementation, while maintaining the pressure to comply. Read more.

Are You Ready For Korea RoHS?

The enforcement ordinance and enforcement regulation for Korea RoHS is expected to take place January 1, 2008. Korea RoHS restricts the placing on the Korean market of new electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) containing predefined levels of Lead, Cadmium, Mercury, Hexavalent Chromium, Polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) and Polybrominated Diphenyl (PBDE) flame retardants. In the case of vehicles, the use of lead, cadmium, mercury, and hexavalent chromium are restricted. Read more.

REACH UPDATES

REACH Registration & Authorization; please be aware that registration of substances (article 7.1) in articles applies in the case of articles releasing a substance. Substances incorporated in articles are subject to registration if they are present in the article in quantities over 1 metric ton per year, and if they are intended to be released during normal or foreseeable conditions of use. Information requirements and deadlines for registration of substances in articles are the same as for substances on their own - 2008, 2010, 2013 or 2018. Read more.

PACKAGING INDUSTRY UPDATES

Revision To Tappi-T810 Bursting Strength Test For Carton Board

The TAPPI standard T 810 om-06, Bursting Strength of Corrugated and Solid Fiberboard was published in January 2006 to replace the 1998 version. This method was revised to describe a procedure for measuring the bursting strength of single wall and double wall corrugated and solid fiberboard within the range of 690 kPa (100 psi) to 4825 kPa (700 psi) employing a disk shaped, molded diaphragm type instrument. This method, however, is not applicable for triple wall corrugated board. Read more.

New Edition Of ASTM D999-07 For Vibration Test Of Shipping Containers

The new edition of ASTM D999-07 Standard Test Methods for Vibration Testing of Shipping Containers has been recently approved and published in October 2007, which would replace the previous edition of ASTM D999-01. This standard specifies vibration test methods of filled shipping containers, which may be used to assess the performance of a container, with its interior packing and means of closure, both in terms of its strength and of the protection it provides its contents when subjecting to vibration as if it experiences in transportation. Click here for new methods and summary of changes.

OTHER INDUSTRY UPDATES

California Proposition 65 Enforcement Actions

The state of California has issued several enforcement actions for manufacturers, distributors and retailers in violation of lead and other toxic substances under Proposition 65. Click here to read more on Proposition 65 enforcement actions that have been setttled.

New Edition Of BS 4875-1:2007 For Domestic Seating

British Standards Institution (BSI) has recently published the new edition of BS 4875-1:2007 for the safety requirements for strength and durability of domestic seating. This new edition came into effect on October 31, 2007 and together with BS EN 15373:2007 (see the November 2007 issue of the Monitor for New EN Standards for Non-Domestic Seating), it supersedes BS 4875-1:2001, which is withdrawn. Read more.

EVENTS/SEMINARS

STR-HK To Exhibit At Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair In January 2008

Please join STR-HK at the Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair, on January 7-10, 2008 at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair is Asia's number one toys and games fair and showcases the latest innovative products from exhibitors from 37 countries and regions and has more than 29,000 buyers. For more information on the show, visit: http://www.hktoyfair.tdctrade.com/

Please visit STR at booth # 3B 10, located in Hall 3. To meet with STR staff members during the Fair, please contact Wesley Leung at mailto:Wesley.leung@strhk.com

STR-US To Exhibit At TOY FAIR On February 17- 20, 2008

Please visit STR at TOY FAIR, booth #5388, February 17-20, 2008 at the Javits Center in New York City. STR can assist companies with audits, inspections and test products at every stage of the supply chain. Our approach to toy quality and safety is to develop programs that focus on hazard prevention not just detection.

To learn more about STR's comprehensive quality assurance and safety services or if you would like to meet with STR staff members during the show, please contact Lauralee Soli at mailto:lauralee.soli@strus.com For more information on TOY FAIR, please visit: http://www.toy-tia.org/

CSCC-Hong Kong To Present Webinar And Seminar On China Labor Contract Law And Its Implications On Social Compliance Assessments

CSCC is pleased to present a webinar and seminar which provide an overview on the Labor Contract Law and its implications on social compliance assessment.

The one-hour online Webinar will be held on January 8, 2008. For more information contact June Ip at mailto:jip@intlcompliance.com

The full-day seminar will be held on January 18, 2008 in Hong Kong. Click here for seminar registration & information or contact your CSCC representative or CSCC Hong Kong, Ms. Mandy Hui at (852) 2723-0001 ext. 115 or email mailto:tohkinsp@intlcompliance.com

CSCC-Hong Kong Presents Seminar On Legal Wages And Hours Requirements In January 2008

CSCC is pleased to present a half-day seminar on Legal Wages and Hours Requirements in China to be held on January 25, 2008 in Hong Kong. This seminar will bring you a systematic way to learn the legal wages and hours requirements. Click here for registration & information or contact your CSCC representative or CSCC Hong Kong, Ms. Mandy Hui at (852) 2723-0001 ext. 115 or email: mailto:tohkinsp@intlcompliance.com

Save The Date For CSCC's Annual Conference On Responsible Sourcing, February 21, 2008

CSCC's annual conference, titled "The G3 Conference: The Next Generation of Responsible Sourcing Strategies", will be held on February 21, 2008 in Los Angeles, CA. New speakers have been confirmed for this conference. The G3 Conference will focus on the most innovative approaches to responsible sourcing, featuring acclaimed author and journalist Alexandra Harney, Patrick Neyts of VECTRA International, Juliette Williams of the Environmental Justice Foundation, Caren Holzman of Transfair USA, and many other exciting speakers. Topics will range from building sustainability into product development processes to effective remediation programs for non-compliant suppliers.

For more information click here or to register, contact Lucy Nakhla at mailto:lnakhla@intlcompliance.com

RECENT ACCREDITATION UPDATES IN STR-HONG KONG

Specialized Technology Resources (H.K.) Limited (STR-HK) has recently further extended its laboratory accreditation scopes to cover different new tests. Click here for the new HOKLAS and UKAS Accreditations.

STR AND SHUSTER IN THE NEWS

STR Highlighted On NBC Nightly News

As part of STR's ongoing media interviews for toy testing, STR was highlighted on NBC's nightly news in November. Sue DeRagon, STR's toy industry expert, was interviewed for a story on "Guarding Against Tainted Toys". She talks about the importance of STR's toy quality and safety programs that focus on hazard prevention and not just detection. View NBC segment.

"The Independent Tester"

Sue DeRagon, STR's Associate Director of Toys and Premiums was a contributing editor for the featured article, "The Independent Tester", that appeared in the December 2007 issue of Fast Company Magazine. For a copy of this article e-mail mailto:articles@shusterlabs.com

"Formulating For Health Claims"

Phil Katz, Senior Vice President of Shuster Laboratories was a contributing editor for the featured article, "Formulating for Health Claims", that appeared in the December 2007 issue of Food Product Design magazine. For a copy of this article e-mail mailto:articles@shusterlabs.com

TEXTILE AND LEATHER INDUSTRY UPDATES

New Zealand Proposes Government Product Safety Policy Statement On Acceptable Limits Of Formaldehyde In Clothing & Textiles

In order to provide a clear guidance to the manufacturers and importers as to the acceptable limits of formaldehyde in clothing and textiles without the need for legislation, the New Zealand Government has recently proposed a product safety policy statement, aiming to complement the Consumer Guarantees Act by setting out what is considered acceptable quality and fit for purpose. This also includes the meaning of products, being supplied, must be safe to use. Read more.

Draft GB Standard For Restricted Substances In PVC Artificial Leather

The National Standard of the People's Republic of China is in progress of drafting a new standard restricting the hazardous substances in PVC artificial leather, aiming at protecting the human health and to make relevant improvement to the environment. Click here for summary of the harmful substance levels proposed.