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 […]
Companies need to improve communication of hazardous substances in products
A Forum pilot enforcement project in 15 participating countries has found that 12 % of inspected products contain substances of very high concern (SVHCs). The majority (88 %) of suppliers of these products are failing to communicate sufficient information to their customers about SVHCs in products they supply. Helsinki, 18 November 2019 – The results of the pilot […]
German BfR Proposes To Lower PAH Limits For Voluntary GS Mark Certification
The German BfR is proposing to strengthen the existing PAH limits to 0.2 mg/kg for Category 2 consumer products covered by the GS Mark. On August 9, 2019, the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (Bundesinstitut für Risikobewertung, BfR) announced the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in consumer products should be ‘as low as possible’. Measurement […]
EU Launches Mobile App To Check SVHC Info On Consumer Products
Patrokles QA Manager recommends that importers and retailers start to collect and manage SVHC Information to meet REACH obligations and avoid penalties – now. Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals, or REACH, is a European Union legislation that aims to improve the protection of human health and the environment from the risks that can […]
Guidance on Phthalates for Manufacturers Accessing EU Markets
Ortho-phthalates, commonly known as phthalates, are a ubiquitous family of synthetic chemicals that are found in a diverse range of products. They have, however, been linked to various health issues, including interference with endocrine (hormone) systems, male fertility matters, obesity and diabetes. The EU, as in other jurisdictions, has sought to regulate their use through […]
EU Member State authorities notify a large number of ROHS and POPs violations
Since late 2018, the EU Rapid Alert System for dangerous non-food products (RAPEX) has issued multiple notifications of non-conformities against the Directive on the Restriction of Hazardous Substance (RoHS) and the Regulation on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POP) in electrical and electronic equipment. Many types of electrical and electronic product have been found to exceed RoHS […]
Potentially dangerous Microplastics rain down on remote French Mountains
Microplastics can accumulate heavy metals like mercury and persistent organic pollutants. These materials have known health impacts. Scientists reported that worryingly high amounts of microplastic particles are raining down on a remote area in France’s Pyrenees Mountains, according to National Geographic. The study is the first of its kind ever conducted. Only two other studies […]
How little things turn big and deadly
Forty years ago, Ross Hume Hall, then a professor of biochemistry at McMaster University, and Donald Chant, a University of Toronto professor of zoology and one of the founders of Pollution Probe, co-authored an important report on ecotoxicity for the Canadian Environmental Advisory. Council “The whole environment, including humans, is being contaminated in a sea of […]
Companies reported to Swedish prosecutor for chemicals non-compliance
Lead, phthalates, SCCPs detected in articles The Swedish Chemicals Agency (Kemi) has reported 18 companies to the prosecutor for suspected environmental offenses following inspections on hazardous substances in goods. During 2018, the agency checked 80 companies under its supervisory project aimed at controlling substances on the REACH candidate list present in goods sold on the […]