Our research team follows the progress North American and European regulators are making to require companies to monitor their supply chains for violations of human rights and environmental regulations. The United States led the way with the Dodd–Frank Act in 2010 The EU will have legislation by 2021 Businesses can prepare by embracing digital tools […]
General Product Safety Directive consultation: Commission checks its safety net for holes
The European Commission is holding a consultation on proposed amendments to the EU’s General Product Safety Directive. The General Product Safety Directive (GPSD) is central to the EU’s product regulatory regime. It applies to most consumer products sold in the EU, and complements sector-specific rules, such as those that apply to toys, electrical and electronic […]
Sweden proposes Chemical Tax on Clothing and Footwear products
The Swedish government is considering implementing a tax on clothing and footwear products containing SVHCs under EU REACH Regulations. In order to increase public finances and reduce the incidence or risk of exposure to, and spread of, substances in clothing and footwear that are harmful to the environment and human health, the Swedish government is […]
EU restriction of BPA in thermal paper enters into force
An EU-wide ban has entered into force on the use of bisphenol A (BPA) in thermal paper. As of 2 January the substance cannot legally be placed on the market in thermal paper in a concentration equal to or greater than 0.02% by weight. In December 2016, the European Commission published a Regulation adding BPA, which is used in […]
Food contact Bamboo and Melamine products continue to face challenges in the European Union
Composite materials containing bamboo and melamine-formaldehyde resin are facing scrutiny in the EU. Recent risk assessments by the German Federal Institute of Risk Assessment (BfR) and European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) reconfirm specific migration issues and use of questionable additives. In an earlier blog post we informed you about market surveillance activities and concerns relating […]
Consumer product safety in the UK
The head of consumer protection policy at UK’s Which? explains how general safety laws help protect UK citizens. Sue Davies is the Head of Consumer Protection and Food Policy, at Which?, the UK’s equivalent of Australia’s CHOICE. In this editorial, she talks about how general safety laws – similar to those that CHOICE would like […]
More than half of EU consumers have environmental impact in mind when shopping, new survey reveals
On November 28th the European Commission released its 2019 edition of the Consumer Conditions Scoreboard. It shows that the overall gap in consumer conditions is narrowing between the different regions of the EU; that consumers are more aware about their environmental footprint; and that consumer rules enable trust in the marketplace. Věra Jourová, EU Commissioner for […]
Potentially deadly electrical products available on Amazon and eBay, safety charity investigation finds
Amazon and eBay have been accused of failing to stop the sale of unsafe electricals after a safety charity found ‘potentially deadly’ items advertised. Electrical Safety First found that of 15 products it bought and tested from the two sites, as well as the online marketplace Wish, 14 failed tests against UK standards. The failures […]
UV Protective Clothing in the EU since April 21, 2019 classed as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that needs to be CE marked
It’s always summer somewhere in the world and the growing demand for ultraviolet (UV) protection garments has created a market that can be exploited throughout the year. How can manufacturers ensure their products are safe and compliant with regional requirements? Public awareness of the dangers of excessive exposure to the sun has resulted in some […]
Risks from bio-based FCM need monitoring – UK research
Additional sources of migration possible from agri-food, processing Food contact materials made from animal or plant biomass can perform as well as plastic FCM, but there may be additional risks to consumers from chemicals and allergens migrating into food, according to a UK study. These include heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants (POPs), natural toxins and […]