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Regulatory Bulletins

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03/02/12 NEWSBYTE: EU Extends Ban of Dimethylfumarate

On 26 January 2012, the European Commission published implementing Decision 2012/48/EU on the extension of the temporary ban on Dimethylfumarate (CAS 624-49-7) which will come into force on 15 March 2012. The limit is still set as 0.1 mg/kg which applies for each component part of the article. No transition period has been deemed necessary since a ban on DMFu already has existed since 2009.

03/02/12 REACH: 13 Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) Recommended for Authorization by the ECHA

In December 2011, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) made a recommendation to the European Commission that 13 Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) be added into Annex XIV of Regulation (EC) 1907/2006 (REACH). If included in Annex XIV, these substances would be banned from use within the next three to five years unless an authorization is granted to individual companies for their use. The final decision on inclusion will be made eventually by the European Commission. .

03/02/12 NEWSBYTE: European Union Publishes Three Guidance Documents on the Application of Revised Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC

In January 2012, the European Commission published three Guidance Documents intended to facilitate the application of the Revised Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC by all stakeholders

03/02/12 European Union Publishes Commission Decision on Safety Requirements for Bicycles

The European Commission published Decision 2011/786/EU in the Official Journal of the European Union on 2 December 2011. The Decision outlines European safety requirements for a range of bicycle types to enable compliance with the General Product Safety Directive.

03/02/12 Update on Proposed Norwegian Regulation to Ban Hazardous Substances in Consumer Products

On 20 December 2011, Norway notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) about a proposed amendment to the Norwegian Product Regulations. The amendment, known as the “Prohibition on Certain Hazardous Substances in Consumer Products (PoHS),” would ban four hazardous substances (Lead, PCP, PFOA and MCCP) from use above a specific limit in nearly all consumer products. The ban is scheduled to enter into force on 1 July 2012.

03/02/12 Austria: Ban of Bisphenol A in Pacifiers and Teethers

Austria’s ban on bisphenol A (BPA) in pacifiers and teethers takes effect on 1 February 2012. It prohibits the manufacture and placing of pacifiers and teethers on the market that contain bisphenol A. The ban was published on 6 October 2011 in the Federal Law Journal for the Republic of Austria and amends the Food Safety and Consumer Protection Act (Lebensmittelsicherheits-und Verbraucherschutz).

03/02/12 Proposed Restriction on Phthalates in indoor articles and articles in contact with skin or mucous membranes

In January 2012, Denmark proposed a restriction of four phthalates (DEHP, BBP, DBP, DIBP) in indoor articles and articles that come in contact with skin or mucous membranes under REACH Annex XVII (EC 1907/2006). Suggested limits are 0.1% (1000 mg/kg) of one or more of these four phthalates. Comments on the proposed restriction can be given on the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) website (see link below). The deadline for comments is 16 March 2012.

03/01/12 January 2012 Consumer Products Standards Update

Consumer Products Standards updated in January 2012

03/01/12 European Commission Publishes New Regulation Amending Regulation (EU) No 10/2011

A new Regulation (EU) No 1282/2011 amending Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 on plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with food was published on 10 December, 2011 in the Official Journal of the European Union.

03/01/12 REACH – 20 New Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC)

In a press release, dated 19 December 2011, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) introduced 20 new Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC). Two substances (refractory ceramic fibres) were already included in the ECHA Candidate List and were re-evaluated to cover a wider substance definition. Therefore, the ECHA Candidate List is extended to 73 substances.

13/12/11 December 2011: Consumer Products Standards Update

Consumer Products Standards updated in December 2011

09/12/11 French National Assembly Passes Ban of Bisphenol A in All Food Contact Packaging

On 12 October 2011, the French National Assembly passed a bill by 348 votes to two that would ban all food contact packaging, containers or utensils containing bisphenol A (BPA) effective 1 January 2014. This is the first step of the French prohibition procedure. Before the ban becomes final law, it will need to be passed by the French Senate. A date has not yet been set for the French Senate to vote on the ban.

30/11/11 Proposed EU Restriction on Lead in Jewellery – RAC and SEAC Finalize Opinions

In 2010, France proposed a restriction of lead in jewellery under REACH Annex XVII (EC 1907/2006). As part of this process, the Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC) and the Committee for Socio-economic Analysis (SEAC) have finalized their opinions on the proposed restriction, so that the EU Commission can now prepare a decision on restricting lead in jewellery. Propsed limits are 0.05% total content and/or 0.05 µg/cm²/hour. .

15/11/11 November 2011: Consumer Products Standards Update

Consumer Products Standards updated in November 2011

14/11/11 Denmark Announces Dossier regarding Hexavalent Chromium in Leather

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) received a notice of intention by Denmark to submit a dossier regarding the restriction of Chromium VI in leather with skin contact based on its allergic effects. The dossier according to Annex XV of the REACH-directive is expected to be submitted in January 2012. If approved by the ECHA, Chromium VI could become regulated under Annex XVII in the future for products placed on the European market.

14/11/11 REMINDER: The New Version of the Norms of Transformers, EN 61558:2009 will Replace EN 61558:1997 on 1 July 2012

In 2012, the new version of the Norms of Transformers, EN 61558:2009 will replace the old one, EN 61558:1997. The DOW (Date of Withdrawal) for the old version is 1 July 2012. IMPORTANT: These standard modifications will become compulsory from the date of withdrawal and the new versions will apply.

14/11/11 European Union Publishes a New Regulation for Fibre Content Labelling and Testing

The European Union published a new regulation in its Official Journal on the 18th of October 2011 that combines fibre content labelling and fibre content testing into one single piece of legislation. There are several new implications involved both for fibre content labelling and testing of items falling within the scope of this new legislation. The new legislation is Regulation (EU) No. 1007/2011. One of the most significant issues is that this legislation is now a regulation, which means that it will apply to all members of the European Union without the need for member states to create their own national legislation to enact the new requirements. The regulation becomes effective on 8 May 2012. Please see details below.

03/11/11 GS Mark - List of PAHs Expands by Two Substances

During the 67th meeting of the German Central Experience Exchange Circle (ZEK), the PAH-substance list was expanded from 16 to 18 PAHs. The addition of these two PAHs to the substance list completes the German recommendation to restrict the eight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in consumer goods. Therefore, in the future there will be requirements for 18 PAHs to fulfill in order to receive the German GS mark.

17/10/11 EU Announces Ban of Dimethylfumarate under EC 1907:2006

In September 2011, the European Commission notified the World Trade Organization on an amendment of the Regulation EC 1907/2006 Annex XVII for Dimethylfumarate (CAS 624-49-7) which will come into force in March 2012. The amendment will make permanent the current temporary prohibition 2009/251/EC for Dimethylfumarate.

30/09/11 REACH: Danish Proposal for New Phthalates Restrictions

On 19 September 2011, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) published a proposal made by Denmark that would amend the REACH Regulation. The proposal would restrict four phthalates in articles intended for indoor use and articles that may come into direct contact with the skin or mucous membranes. Interested parties are invited to provide comments during the public consultation period.

30/09/11 Sweden Proposes Restriction on Nonylphenol and Nonylphenol Ethoxylates in the European Union

WARNING: This product contains (a) small magnet(s). Swallowed magnets can stick together across intestines causing serious infections and death. Seek immediate medical attention if magnet(s) are swallowed or inhaled.

30/09/11 Two New RoHS Exemptions Added by European Commission

The Decision 2011/534/EU of the European Commission amending the list of exemptions for the RoHS Directive (2002/95/EC) on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment was published in the Official Journal of the European Union L234 of 10 September 2011.

16/09/11 European Commission Proposes Draft Regulation amending Regulation (EU) No 10/2011

The European Commission has proposed a new Regulation amending Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 on plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with food.

16/09/11 September 2011: Consumer Products Standards Update

Consumer Products Standards updated in September 2011

05/09/11 Phthalate Requirement Extended to All Plasticized Materials under Japan Toy Safety Standard

On August 23, 2011, the Japan Toy Association issued a notice announcing that the phthalate requirement will be revised in Japan Toy Safety Standard ST-2002 Part 3 by extending the scope to include all plasticized material for six phthalates. The new phthalate requirement for toys under the Japan Food Sanitation Law (JFSL) will be effective immediately.

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