RECENT ACCREDITATION UPDATES

STR-R Is Recommended By ANSI/ASQ National Accreditation Board (ANAB) For ANSI/AIHA Z10:2005 Occupational Health & Safety Management System (OH&S) Accreditation

STR-Registrar, LLC is pleased to announce that effective, January 31, 2008 they have been recommended by ANSI/ASQ National Accreditation Board (ANAB) for ANSI/AIHA Z10:2005 Occupational Health & Safety Management System (OH&S) Accreditation.

STR-Registrar, LLC is the first Certification Body in North America to have achieved this distinction. This new accreditation opens many new doors for STR-R as we move forward into 2008. Read more.

STR-Shanghai Has Obtained The ISO/IEC 17020 CNAS Accreditation

STR is pleased to announce that our Shanghai laboratory has successfully obtained the ISO/IEC 17020 inspection accreditation from the Chinese National Accreditation Service for Conformity Assessment, (CNAS). The scope of accreditation covers inspection items of furniture, stationery, kitchenware & tableware, cookware, power tools, home appliances and luminaries.

STR- Shanghai is the 2nd foreign invested, privately owned inspection company to get this accreditation. This accreditation will make STR-SH more competitive in the testing industry. Please click here for certificates in English and Chinese.

CSCC LAUNCHES ITS INAUGURAL PODCAST

CSCC has gotten into the podcasting game. Podcasts are audio blog entries that you can download to your computer or portable media player. Podcasting has become very popular among bloggers and news organizations and now CSCC has posted its first ever podcast on its blog, Perspectives in Responsible Sourcing, filling the void in the blogosphere for comprehensive audio commentary on responsible sourcing issues. Click here to access the podcast.

While visiting, don't forget to subscribe to Perspectives in Responsible Sourcing to have the latest blog updates sent directly to your email inbox.

REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS

CPSC Restates Its Recommendations Regarding Drawstrings

Due to the recent increase in drawstring recalls, STR would like to remind its clients of the current US regulations and CPSC recommendations. Click here for the chart that summarizes the CPSC recommendations as well as state regulations regarding drawstrings.

STR is a fully approved and qualified lab to test clothing to the current standards as part of our comprehensive safety testing services. Contact us at mailto:inquiry@strus.com

CPSC Issues Notice Of Proposed Rulemaking On A New Standard To Address Residential Upholstered Furniture Fires

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has voted to issue a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPR) on a new mandatory standard to address residential upholstered furniture fires. The goal of the proposed standard is to prevent ignition or slow the spread and intensity of upholstered furniture fires. Read more.

Updates On ASTM F1169 For Full-Size Baby Crib

ASTM F1169-07 was published in October 2007 to revise the last previous edition, ASTM F1169-03. ASTM F1169-07 has rewritten the sections on "Labeling" and "Instructional Literature", for the standard specification for a full-size baby crib. Full-size crib is defined as a bed that is designed to provide sleeping accommodations for an infant having interior dimensions of a specific size. Click here for details on the revised requirements.

Updates On ASTM F833 For Carriages and Strollers

ASTM F833-07a, the safety performance specification for carriages and strollers, was published to revise the previous editions ASTM F833-07 and ASTM F833-05a. Click here for the major changes compared to ASTM F833-05a.

Draft Standard AS/NZS 2088 For Prams And Strollers

AS/NZS 2088:2000 is the mandatory consumer product safety standard for Prams and Strollers under the Trade Practices Act 1974, Consumer Protection Notice No. 8 of 2007, which will become effective on July 1, 2008 and all suppliers are encouraged to comply with the mandatory requirements as soon as possible. Read more.

New ASTM Standard For 6 mm Projectiles Used With Low Energy Air Guns

ASTM Technical Committee F08 has recently developed and published a new standard ASTM F2679-07 for 6 mm projectiles used with low energy air guns (LEAG). This standard laid down the requirements and characteristics for low energy air gun projectile which help to define whether a low energy air gun projectile is suitable for use in the sport commonly called airsoft. Read more.

RoHS UPDATES

IECQ Hazardous Substance Process Management (HSPM) QC080000 Quality Management Certification

The IEC's (International Electrotechnical Commission) certification program for electronic components, processes and related materials, has a 3rd party quality management standard that electrical / electronic companies can use to ensure their processes and controls adhere to local and global regulations that include: Restriction of certain Hazardous Substances (RoHS), EU REACH, California Proposition 65, Halogen-Free and others.

The STR companies can assist you with Hazardous Substance Free requirements through this certification process. Read more.

Intel Halogen-Free Symposium

On January 15 -16, 2008 Intel held its Halogen-Free symposium in Scottsdale, Arizona, sponsored by IPC. Kevin Smith of STR attended the meeting and learned that a few of the major electronic companies are specifying that their suppliers provide them with halogen-free or low-halogen products. Read more.

EVENTS & SEMINARS

STR To Exhibit At Chinaplas 2008

Specialized Technology Resources, Inc. will be a participant at the upcoming Chinaplas 2008 Exhibition, taking place on April 17-20 at the Shanghai New International Expo Center. This will be the 22nd Chinaplas, with the show being recognized as the top international trade fair in Asia for the plastics and rubber industries.

STR has the perfect combination of product knowledge, industry know-how and vast resources to deliver an unparalleled portfolio of quality assurance services to the global marketplace. We look forward to welcoming visitors to Chinaplas 2008 at our booth W4R25 in Hall W4.
Read more.

STR Is Participating In Two Major Industry Events

STR is participating in two major industry events this week; TOY FAIR in New York City and at the International Consumer Product Health and Safety Organization, ICPHSO's Annual Meeting. For more information on TOY FAIR, visit http://www.toy-tia.org/ For more information on ICPHSO's annual meeting, visit http://www.icphso.org/

Shuster To Attend PLMA's Annual Meeting And Leadership Conference

Gene Damon, Senior Vice President at Shuster Laboratories will attend PLMA's Annual Meeting and Leadership Conference being held March 27-30, 2008 at the Loews Ventana Canyon in Tucson, AZ.

PLMA's 2008 Annual Meeting & Leadership Conference will present sessions on the best and worst private label practices and review what private label can do as an industry. To learn more about Shuster's capabilities or to meet during the PLMA event, contact Mr. Damon at mailto:gene.damon@shusterlabs.com

Product Environmental Compliance Seminar and XRF Screening

STR is now offering a one-day, client onsite, Product Environmental Compliance Seminar domestically in the US. The purpose of this seminar is to assist organizations in clearly understanding the product environmental compliance landscape, as well as the financial risks and market opportunities associated with individual Laws and Directives. Read more.

FOOD AND DRUG INDUSTRY UPDATES

FDA Releases Recommendations Use Of Over-the-Counter Cough And Cold Products

Recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a Public Health Advisory for parents and caregivers, recommending that over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold products should not be used to treat infants and children less than 2 years of age because serious and potentially life-threatening side effects can occur from such use. Read more.

CRN Provides Grant For Pharmacist Education

On January 30, 2008 in Washington, D.C., the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), the leading trade association for the dietary supplement industry, demonstrated its commitment to educating pharmacists through a grant in support of continuing education (CE) programs on dietary supplements for retail pharmacists. Press release.

EUROPEAN UPDATES

Safety First; Commission Proposes New Strict Rules For Toys

Recently, the European Commission has come forward with measures to improve toy safety in Europe. The Commission wants to strengthen EU-rules, especially those relating to the use of chemical substances in toys. The proposal tabled aims at enhancing the safety of toys and has a threefold objective: first and foremost there will be new and higher safety requirements to cope with recently identified hazards, secondly it will strengthen manufacturers' and importers' responsibility for the marketing of toys and finally it enhances the market surveillance obligations of Member States. Read more.

European Commission Proposes New Food Labeling

The European Commission has adopted a proposal for new legislation on the provision of food information to consumers. The proposal is the first step in the process of deciding new regulations. The UK Food Standards Agency announced they will be launching a UK-wide public consultation on the proposal, taking views from stakeholders, including the food industry, consumer and enforcement groups, and the general public. Read more.

LEAD AND CHEMICALS UPDATE

California Lead-Containing Jewelry Law

On January 2, 2008, California's Department of Toxic Substance Control (DTSC) issued a statement containing answers to frequently asked questions about the state's lead-containing jewelry law. Click here for the items were addressed.

California Proposition 65 Enforcement Action

On October 22, 2007, a consent judgment was approved in an action by a citizen enforcer against a marketer of cosmetics kits. The complaint alleged the cosmetics kits expose consumers to lead. The proposed consent judgment calls for the company to affix warning on its products, or to post the warning in close proximity or at the point of display. Read more.