Regulatory Bulletins

Return Home

Businesses

Regulatory Bulletins

1 / 2 / 3

27/08/10 Germany Regulates Chromium VI in Leather

The eighteenth amendment to the Regulation of the German Ordinance on Commodities (BGVO) was published in the Federal Gazette (Bundesgesetzblatt) 13 August 2010 and came into effect on 14 August 2010. This regulation limits the level of Chromium (VI) in materials made of leather that are intended to come into prolonged contact with the human body. The items affected include: clothing, bags, watchstraps, backpacks, chair covers, neck pouches, and leather toys, among others.

26/08/10 New Draft Cadmium Restrictions under REACH Annex XVII

On 1 June 2010, the European Commission issued draft modifications to cadmium restrictions, particularly relative to jewellery, under Annex XVII of REACH regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006. This draft has been notified to GATT mid-June and is expected to be adopted in January 2011. Once published in the Official Journal of the European Union, it will enter into force six months later, with the earliest expected to be July 2011.

30/07/10 Summary of New EU Toy Safety Directive

The new EU Toy Safety Directive (2009/48/EC) was published on 30 June 2009. It substantially amends the old Directive (88/378/EEC) across virtually all safety aspects. Member States must bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with the Directive by 20 January 2011. However, the chemical migration of harmful elements of 88/378/EEC is only repealed from 20 July 2013 and as such, chemical requirements do not apply until that date.

22/07/10 France Passes New Environmental Law that Impacts Consumer Products

The French National Assembly adopted a Law on 12 July 2010 (loi n°2010-788 du 12 juillet 2010 portant engagement national pour l’environnement) (Grenelle 2 Law) relative to the National engagement for the environment. It was published in the French Official Journal of 13 July and adopts several measures related to consumer products and environmental concerns.

15/07/10 REMINDER: Updated European Standards for Appliances and Electrical Products Taking Effect

Some European standards covering household appliances, lighting, information technology (IT) and audio-video equipment plus other electrical apparatus will be updated and/or modified during the next six months. IMPORTANT: These standard modifications will become compulsory from the date of withdrawal (DOW) and the new versions will apply from that date forward.

09/07/10 EU Recast of Energy Labelling Directive to Include All Energy-related Products

On 19 May 2010, the European Commission and the EC Council adopted a new Directive 2010/30/EU, which recasts the framework of the former Energy-labelling Directive 92/75/EEC. The new Directive modifies the previous one by extending its scope beyond household appliances to include all energy-related products. It also introduces three new energy efficiency classes, in addition to the existing ones, with the goal of having the most energy-efficient products. The new Directive enters into force 19 June 2010, with certain exceptions. See below for details.

09/07/10 EU Decision Calls for Developing Safety Standards for Children’s Sleep Environment Products

The European Union issued Commission Decision 2010/376/EU early in July 2010 regarding safety requirements for children’s sleep environment products. The Decision calls for European Standards to be developed by EU Standardization Bodies for the five areas of concern (cot mattresses, cot bumpers, suspended baby beds, and children’s duvets and sleep bags). Until EN standards for the five products are produced, the items will fall under the authority of the European General Product Safety Directive 2001/95/EC.

01/07/10 Lead in Jewellery and Dimethylfumarate Proposed as New Restrictions under REACH

On 21 June 2010, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) published a press release presenting two proposals made by France that would amend the REACH Regulation. One would restrict lead in jewellery and the other would restrict Dimethylfumarate in consumer products. Interested parties are invited to provide comment in public consultation.

23/06/10 Eight New Potential SVHCs Expand the ECHA Candidate List to 38 Compounds

On 18 June 2010, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) published a press release presenting eight new compounds as potential substances of very high concern (SVHC). The list of candidates under the REACH regulation is now extended to 38 substances.

04/06/10 European Union: Latest Regulatory News Relative to Toys

The European Union has taken several recent actions relative to toys. Among these are the release of several publications relative to toy safety, including a guidance document relative to packaging, and an explanatory guidance document on the revised Toy Safety Directive. A summary of the key points follow below.

04/06/10 France - Regulatory Update Relative to Child Care Articles

The French National Assembly adopted an article (article 73bis) on 11 May 2010 into the draft law National Engagement for the Environment (Grenelle 2) that prohibits the manufacture, importation, exportation and placing on the market of baby bottles made of bisphenol A, until the French Agency for the sanitary safety of foodstuffs adopts a decision allowing again their placement on the market. The final version of the prohibition, not yet adopted, will be discussed in the Social Affairs Commission of the National Assembly on June 9 and 17.

04/06/10 EU Amends Regulation (EC) 245/2009 Implementing Energy-related Products (ErP) Directive

On 21 April 2010 the European Council (EC) adopted Regulation (EC) 347/2010 amending Commission Regulation (EC) 245/2009 as regards to the ecodesign requirements for fluorescent lamps without integrated ballast, for high intensity discharge lamps, and for ballasts and luminaires able to operate such lamps. Read more

04/06/10 Denmark Introduces Temporary Ban of Bisphenol A: Other EU Countries Assess Similar Ban

Based on a new assessment by the National Food Institute at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU Food), the Danish government has decided to invoke the principle of precaution and introduce a temporary national ban on Bisphenol A (BPA) in materials that are in contact with food for children aged 0-3 years of age. Effective as of 1 July 2010, BPA is not allowed in Denmark in products covered by the ban. Other European countries, such as France, are also considering a complete ban of the substance.

14/04/10 Acrylamide Included in the REACH Candidate List

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has added Acrylamide (EC No 201-173-7 and CAS No 79-06-1) to the Candidate List of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) for authorisation. Companies who manufacture or import this substance need to check their potential obligations as a result of the listing. A short summary of the obligations is available on ECHA’s website below. The decision as to whether Acrylamide needs to be subjected to authorisation will be taken up later.

14/04/10 Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment: Latest Exemption List Under RoHS

On 25 February 2010, the European Commission adopted Decision 2010/122/EU relative to a new exemption granted within the scope of the Directive 2002/95/EC (RoHS). It was issued in the Official Journal of the European Union on 26 February 2010.

13/04/10 Additional Substances Proposed to REACH SVHC Candidate List

Interested parties are invited to comment on eight new proposed substances to the REACH SVHC Candidate List that have been put forward by Denmark, France and Germany. Comments must be submitted no later than 22 April 2010.

13/04/10 Cord and Drawstring Risks from Children’s Clothing – EU Reports Surveillance Results

The European Commission has published the results of a market surveillance exercise that checked the safety of children’s clothing to the requirements of relevant European standard (EN 14682:2007 Safety of children’s clothing – Cords and drawstrings on children’s clothing - specifications). A total of 16,000 garments were inspected between 2008 and 2010. The results showed that 1 in 10 items were reported for a breach of the safety requirements.

24/02/10 Consumer Products Servcies Laboratory Expansion in Bangladesh

Bureau Veritas is pleased to announce the grand opening of a newly expanded laboratory in Dhaka Export Processing Zone. The expanded facility offers a full range of softlines and analytical capabilities and quality assurance services for softline products, including piece goods, apparel for men, women and children; accessories; and soft home textiles. Located in the hub of the Export Processing Zone of Dhaka, the laboratory allows major vendors to have easier access for sample submissions and to receive test results faster, thus meeting clients’ needs for quality and speed-to-market.

24/02/10 NEWSBYTE: EU Publishes Safety Requirements for Child Bathing Article

In January 2010, the European Union published Commission Decision 2010/9/EU regarding the safety requirements for bath rings, bathing aids and bath tubs and stands, used for infants and young children.

24/02/10 REACH Regulation Latest Update

In the past two months, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has taken several actions to further develop REACH. Included are: the start of a new enforcement project that addresses importers of preparations; the proposal of new substances for Annex XV dossiers; and several upcoming deadlines.

21/01/10 NEWSBYTE - EU Energy Related Products Directive

Directive 2009/125/EC, published 31 October 2009, establishes a new framework for the setting of Community ecodesign requirements for energy related products to assist free movement of such products within the European Union (EU) internal market. Member States need to take all appropriate action to ensure that products covered by the Directive’s implementing measures are placed on the market and/or put into service only if they comply with those measures and bear the CE mark.

09/11/09 EU Council Adopts New Ecodesign Directive

On 25 September 2009 the European Council (EC) adopted a revision of the EuP Directive. Modifications were made to the Directive in order to extend its scope. As a result, the Directive will now focus not only on “energy using products” but will be extended to include all “energy-related products,” such as windows, water taps, shower heads, etc. A summary of the changes follows.

09/11/09 EU Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC Will Come Into Force on 29 December 2009

The newly revised Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC will come into force on 29 December 2009 and will replace the current definitive Machinery Directive 98/37/EC without a transition period. Manufacturers that currently have EC type-examination certificates issued under the existing Directive need to be aware that the certificates will not be valid after this date. So, it is essential that companies start preparing for these changes. The revised Directive will impact companies whether they build machines or partly assembled machines, create final assembled machinery, or import machines for use in the European Economic Area. In addition, under the Machinery Directive a number of new standards have been published.

07/10/09 NEWSBYTE: EC Releases Corrigenda for Ecodesign Requirements for Household Refrigerating Appliances

On 22 July 2009, the European Commission published a Corrigendum of the Commission Regulation (EC) No 643/2009 implementing Directive 2005/32/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to Ecodesign requirements for household refrigerating appliances.

07/10/09 Ecodesign Requirements Adopted for Non-Directional Household Lamps

On 19 September 2009, the European Commission (EC) adopted Regulation 859/2009 which amends Regulation No 244/2009 with regards to the Ecodesign requirements on ultraviolet radiation of non-directional household lamps. The regulation applies as of 1 September 2009. Details of the modifications are in the following table.

1 / 2 / 3

Contact us

Consumer Products Services Division

Send an e-mail

Subscribe

Subscribe to Our Regulatory Bulletins

© Bureau Veritas 2007