Contents
Selected for Newsletter Email
Regulatory News
Responsible Sourcing News
Regulatory/ Industry News Update
Toys
Juvenile Products
Textiles, Apparel and Footwear
Dietary Supplements
OTC and Pharmaceuticals
Personal Care and Beauty
Household Cleaning Products
Food and Beverage
Jewelry and Watches
Premiums, Promotional and Licensed Goods
General Merchandise
Selected for Newsletter Email
Regulatory News
Title: Korea Issues Two Notices to Amend Safety Confirmation of Infant’s Textile Products and Infant and Children’s Leather Products and Children’s Textile Products
Landing Copy: Korean’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy had released two notices that aims to amend safety confirmation specific to infant’s textile products and infant and children’s leather products and children’s textile products.
The notices are:
- MOTIE Notification No. 2017-16 Safety Standards for Children's Product Subject to Safety Confirmation specific to infant’s textile products
This Notice provides amendments to the requirements on restricted substances to be use on infant’s textile products. The changes are identified in Annex 1 Textile products for infants. The changes are mainly to update the hazardous material list and limits of the following:
- Add: NP and NPEO as hazardous material with total concentration less than 100 mg/kg in infant’s textile products
- Add: Total cadmium with concentration less than 75 mg/kg in infant’s textile products
- Revise: Disperse Dyes from “Prohibited” to “50 mg/kg (each)” in infant’s textile products
- MOTIE Notification No. 2017-17 Safety Standards for Children's Product Subject to Safety Confirmation intended for infant and children’s leather products and children’s textile products
These notice specifies the following revisions as identified in Annex 1 Children’s leather goods and Annex 15 Children’s textile products. The changes are mainly to update the hazardous material list and limits of the following:
- Add: NP and NPEOwith total concentration less than 100 mg/kg in children’s textile products
- Add: Total cadmium with concentration less than 75 mg/kg in children’s textile products
- Revise: Disperse Dyes from “Prohibited” to “50 mg/kg (each)” in children’s textile products
- Revise: Cr VI from “0.5 mg/kg” to “3 mg/kg” in infant’s leather products
These notices will take effect from February 1, 2018.
Source URL: MOTIE Notification No. 2017-16; MOTIE Notification No. 2017-17
Industry: Textiles, Apparel and Footwear
Keywords: Infant’s textile, children, leather, MOTIE, NP, NPERO, cadmium, dyes
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Title: Canada Proposes to Amend Regulations on Magnetic Toys
Landing Copy: The Health Canada consults on amending the Magnetic Toys Regulations to help protect the health and safety of Canadians, particularly children, from unsafe consumer products.
This proposed regulatory changes include restrictions on both the size and strength of magnetic toy components, as well as specific tests to identify dangerous magnetic parts that may separate from a toy during play.
Exceptions are proposed for magnets in electrical systems or those in advanced experimental sets intended for children eight years of age or older.
The comment period is open up until January 17, 2018.
Source URL: Amending the Magnetic Toys Regulations
Industry: Toys
Keywords: Health Canada, magnetic toys
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Title: Vietnam Issues National Technical Regulations for Formaldehyde and Azo Colorants in Textiles
Landing Copy: Vietnam has issued QCVN 01: 2017 / BCT National technical regulation on the contents of formaldehyde and certain aromatic amines derived from azo colorants in textile products.
The regulation specifies limits on the following amount of formaldehyde and azo colorants in textiles:
- Limits of formaldehyde are:
- 30mg/kg in textile products for children under three
- 75mg/kg in textile products in direct contact with the skin
- 300mg/kg in textile products with no direct skin contact
- Limit of 22 aromatic amines converted from azo colorants: 30mg/kg
The new regulation will take effect on May 1, 2018.
Source URL: Regulation for formaldehyde and azo colorants in textiles
Industry: Textiles, Apparel and Footwear
Keywords: Vietnam, formaldehyde, azo colorants, textiles
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Responsible Sourcing News
Title: Countering America's Adversaries through Sanctions Act
Landing Copy: On November 7, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued guidance on meeting Section 321 of the Countering America’s Adversaries through Sanctions Act (H.R. 3364), and updated its Reasonable Care Checklist. This legislation prohibits the importation of merchandise mined, produced, or manufactured by North Korean nationals or citizens unless the CBP finds clear and convincing evidence that the merchandise was not produced by prohibited labor. The CBP is committed to ensuring that importers are aware of the risks associated with forced labor, their compliance responsibilities, and ways they can validate that their supply chains are free of forced labor.
Source URL: CBP Combats Modern-Day Slavery with the Passage of the Countering America’s Adversaries through Sanctions Act
Industry: Responsible Sourcing
Keywords: CBP, Modern-Day Slavery, North Korea
Landing Page URL:
Title: Top Fashion Companies Come Together to Improve Children’s Rights
Landing Copy: Together with Unicef, the world’s biggest wealth fund is setting up a network with some of the top fashion companies to improve children’s rights, whether they are exploited in the production of garments and shoes or impacted by the industry in other ways.
Between 10 and 15 companies with a total market value of more than 2 trillion kroner ($244 billion) have joined and will participate in the network’s first event in Geneva on November 27, said Carine Smith Ihenacho, the Norwegian investor’s global head of ownership strategies. They include Hennes & Mauritz AB; Kering, the owner of luxury brands such as Gucci and Saint Laurent; and VF Corp., which owns labels such as North Face and Wrangler.
Source URL: The Business of Fashion
Industry: Responsible Sourcing
Keywords: Unicef, fashion, child labor
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Title: Europe Wanted Migrants Stopped. Now Some Are Being Sold as Slaves.
Landing Copy: African migrants in Libya face “unimaginable horrors,” the United Nations human rights commissioner declared. “Despicable,” the chairman of the African Union called their treatment. Several African countries recalled ambassadors in protest. Rwanda offered the migrants assistance.
The mid-November broadcast by CNN showing what was described as African migrants being auctioned off at a Libyan slave market — for as little as $100 each, at black-market exchange rates — has set off an international firestorm. The response from the European Union, however, has been notably muted.
Rights groups and other experts say the video of the slave market — although no surprise to many journalists or relief workers — is an uncomfortable reminder for Europe that its policies risk trapping the migrants in slave-like conditions.
Source URL: The New York Times
Industry: Responsible Sourcing
Keywords: Libya, slavery, migrants
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Regulatory/ Industry News Update
Toys
Title: New Zealand Drafts Standard for Electric Toys
Landing Copy: Standards New Zealand is consulting the public on the release of draft standard, AS/NZS 62115:2018Electric toys – Safety.
This standard covers the safety of electric toys taking power from any source, such as batteries, transformers, solar cells and inductive connections.
The consultation is open for the standard until February 2, 2018.
Note: AS/NZS 62115:2018 will supersede AS/NZS 62115:2011 three years from the date of publication (expected to be June 30, 2021).
Source URL: AS/NZS 62115:2018
Industry: Toys
Keywords: Electric toys, AS/NZS 62115: 2018
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Title: ISO Approves Revised Final Draft of Toy Safety Standard
Landing Copy:International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has approved the final draft of the revised ISO/FDIS 8124-1 Safety of toys — Part 1: Safety Aspects related to Mechanical and Physical Properties.
The draft was made by Committee TC 181 Safety of toys. The draft is for the formal approval of the ISO member bodies until December 26, 2017.
Once approved, this standard shall replace ISO 8124-1:2014 Safety of toys -- Part 1: Safety aspects related to mechanical and physical properties.
Source URL: ISO/FDIS 8124-1
Industry: Toys
Keywords: Toy safety, ISO/FDIS 8124-1
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Title: New Zealand Releases AS/NZS 8124.7:2017 Safety of Toys for Finger Paints
Landing Copy: Standards New Zealand (SNZ) has released AS/NZS 8124.7:2017Safety of Toys - Part 7: Requirements and Test Methods for Finger Paints on November 17, 2017.
This standard provides requirements for the substances and materials used in finger paints, markings, labeling and containers.
This standard is adopted with national modifications from ISO 8124-7:2015.
Source URL: AS/NZS 8124.7:2017
Industry: Toys
Keywords: SNZ, finger points
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Title: New Zealand Withdraws Three Standards for Toys
Landing Copy: Standards New Zealand (SNZ) has withdrawn three (3) standards intended for toy safety.
The withdrawn standards are:
- NZS 5820:1982 Specification for the safety of toys
- NZS 5820:1982 C1 Specification for the safety of toys: Amendment 1
- NZS 5820:1982 A`1 Specification for the safety of toys: Amendment 1
The standards were withdrawn without replacement on November 10, 2017.
Source URL: NZS 5820:1982; NZS 5820:1982 C1; NZS 5820:1982 A`1
Industry: Toys
Keywords: toy safety, SNZ
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Title: CEN Publishes EN 71-8:2017 Safety of Toys - Part 8: Activity Toys For Domestic Use
Landing Copy: The European Committee for Standardization (CEN) has published EN 71-8:2017Safety of Toys - Part 8: Activity Toys for Domestic Use.
This standard specifies requirements and test methods for activity toys for domestic use often attached to or incorporating a crossbeam, and similar toys intended for children under 14 years to play on or in and often intended to bear the mass of one or more children.
This standard specifies requirements for:
- separately sold accessories for, and components of activity toys
- separately sold swing elements that are ready for use on or in combination with an activity toy
- construction packages for activity toys including components used to build activity toys according to a scheduled building instruction
Important dates are:
- Date of Availability: December 13, 2017
- Date of Announcement: March 31, 2018
- Date of Publication: June 30, 2018
Source URL: EN 71-8:2017
Industry: Toys
Keywords: CEN, EN 71-8, Activity toys, domestic use
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Juvenile Products
Title: ACCC Publishes Consumer Goods (Baby Bath Aids) Safety Standard 2017
Landing Copy: The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has published Consumer Goods (Baby Bath Aids) Safety Standard 2017 on the Federal Register on October 19th.
The standard specifies requirements for a baby bath aid and its packaging to have a safety warning statement that is clearly visible and easy to read.
"WARNING- Children have DROWNED while using bath aids. This is NOT a safety decide. ALWAYS keep baby within arm's reach. NEVER leave baby in care of children."
The standard also mandates that product must contain 2 safety alert symbols located immediately to the left and right of the words of the warning notice.
The rule will come into effect on October 27, 2018.
Source URL: Consumer Goods (Baby Bath Aids) Safety Standard 2017
Industry: Juvenile Products
Keywords: ACCC, baby bath aids
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Textiles, Apparel and Footwear
Title: Mexico Updates NMX-A-3758-Inntex-2014 Textile Care Labeling Standard
Landing Copy: Mexico has issued NMX-A-3758-INNTEX-2014Textiles-Code of Generation of Care Labels the Use of Symbols.
This Mexican Standard establishes a system of graphic symbols, intended for use in the marking of textile articles and to provide information on the most severe treatment that does not cause irreversible damage to the article during the textile care process. In addition, it specifies the use of these symbols in the generation of care labels.
This standard was effective on October 16, 2017.
Note: This standard took effect on October 16th.However, the regulation NOM-004-SCFI-2006 (the law that requires care labeling and specifies the NMX to be followed), has not been revised to eliminate NMX-A-240-INNTEX-2009 and replace with NMX-A-3758-INNTEX-2014, to date.
Source URL: NMX-A-3758-INNTEX-2014
Industry: Textiles, Apparel and Footwear
Keywords: NMX-A-3758-INNTEX-2014, Textiles
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Title: Kenya Issues Draft Standards for Different Textile Products
Landing Copy: Kenya Bureau of Standards (KBS) has issued draft standards open for public consultation.
The draft standards are:
- KS 1062:2017 Infants Outer Wear Garments — Specification
- KS 214-1:2017 Woven Interlinings and Linings for Apparel Purposes - Specification Part 1: Woven interlinings for Apparel Purposes
- KS 214-2:2017 Woven Interlinings and Linings for Apparel Purposes - Specification Part 2: Woven Linings for Apparel Purposes
- KS 2757:2017 Fabric Fashion Handbags — Specification
The consultation for these standards are open until December 10 (KS 1062:2017) and December 9, 2017.
- Proposed date of adoption: March 2018
- Proposed date of entry into force: Upon declaration as mandatory by the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Cooperatives
Source URL: KS 1062:2017; KS 214-1:2017; KS 214-2:2017; KS 2757:2017
Industry: Textiles, Apparel and Footwear
Keywords: KBS, Infant’s wear, woven, apparel, bags
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Title: CEN Issues Standard for Protective Clothing against Cold
Landing Copy: European Committee for Standardization (CEN) has issued EN 342:2017 Protective Clothing - Ensembles and Garments for Protection against Cold.
This standard specifies requirements and test methods for the performance of clothing ensembles (i.e. g two piece suits or coveralls) for protection against the effects of cold environments equal to or below −5°C.
Important dates:
- Availability Date: November 15, 2017
- Publication Date: May 31, 2018
Source URL: EN 342:2017
Industry: Textiles, Apparel and Footwear
Keywords: CEN, EN 342:2017
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Dietary Supplements
Title: US FDA Consults on New Dietary Ingredient
Landing Copy: USFood and Drug Administration is consulting the public on the premarket notification for a new dietary ingredient.
This notice solicits comments on the procedure to ensure that manufacturers or distributors are producing a safe dietary supplement that contains new dietary ingredient. This requires distributors and manufacturers to submit the following information in the form of a notification.
1)The name and complete address of the manufacturer or distributor;
2)the name of the new dietary ingredient;
3)a description of the dietary supplement(s) that contain the new dietary ingredient, including the level of the new dietary ingredient in the dietary supplement and the dietary supplement's conditions of use;
4)the history of use or other evidence of safety establishing that the new dietary ingredient will reasonably be expected to be safe when used under the conditions recommended or suggested in the labeling of the dietary supplement; and
5)the signature of a responsible person designated by the manufacturer or distributor.
Public comment is open up until January 16, 2018.
Source URL: Public Comment on Premarket Notification for a New Dietary Ingredient
Industry: Dietary Supplements
Keywords: dietary supplements, ingredient, FDA
Landing Page URL: Click here to enter text.
OTC and Pharmaceuticals
Title: US FDA Issues Guidance on Aspirin-Containing Drug Products
Landing Copy: The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a Notification on Recommended Statement for Over-the-Counter Aspirin-Containing Drug Products Labeled With Cardiovascular-Related Imagery; Guidance for Industry; Availability.
This notification on the guidance document contains the reminder for safe use of nonprescription (also referred to as over-the-counter or OTC) aspirin drug products to include a statement that reminds consumers to talk to their health care provider before using aspirin for their heart.
The guidance was released on November 7, 2017.
Source URL: Notification on Recommended Statement for Over-the-Counter Aspirin-Containing Drug Products Labeled With Cardiovascular-Related Imagery
Industry: OTC and Pharmaceuticals
Keywords: FDA, aspirin, drug products
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Title: Japan Designates Two Chemicals as “Shitei Yakubutsu”
Landing Copy: The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) has released Designation of “Shitei Yakubutsu” (designated substances) based on the Law on Securing Quality, Efficacy and Safety of Products Including Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices.
This regulation specifies two new substances to be designated as “Shitei Yakubutsu”. The two substances are: 1. 2-[2,5-Dimethoxy-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethanamine (2C-TFM) 2. Methyl 2-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(piperidin-2-yl)acetate (4-Fluoromethylphenidate, 4-FMPH, 4F-MPH)
The notice was released on November 3, 2017.
Source URL: Designation of “Shitei Yakubutsu”
Industry: OTC and Pharmaceuticals
Keywords: MHLW, “Shitei Yakubutsu”
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Title: China FDA Establishes Draft Administrative Measures for Drug Standards
Landing Copy: China’s Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) has issued Administrative Measures for Drug Standards (Draft).
This draft establishes general formulation, revision, implementation and supervision of drug standards.This draft outlines the following:
- General principles
- Programming
- Formulation and Revision
- Approval and Promulgation
- Implementation
- Review
- Information Management and Disclosure
- Supervision
- Local Drug Standards
- Supplementary Rules
Source URL: Administrative Measures for Drug Standards (Draft)
Industry: OTC and Pharmaceuticals