Softlines & Leather | Monthly bulletin | April 2020

Regulatory news - Eurofins updates - Commercial news 

Regulatory news

Europe

New Cicular Economy Action Plan

On 11^th March 2020, the European Commission published the new Circular Economy Action Plan to work towards a cleaner and more competitive Europe. The plan presents a set of interrelated initiatives to establish strong and coherent product policy. Further measures will be put in place to reduce waste and ensure that the EU has a well-functioning internal market for high quality secondary raw materials. The EU’s capacity to take responsibility for its waste will be also strengthened. This document is addressed to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions. 

To read the full official publication, please visit the European Commission website here.

Standard Updates

See below a table summarising the most recent standard updates and upcoming dates of withdrawal (non-exhaustive):

(*) Date of withdrawal: latest date by which national standards conflicting with an EN (and HD for CENELEC) have to be withdrawn.

US

Standard Updates

See below a table summarising some recent ASTM standards updates:

California Proposes to List Carpets and Rugs Containing Perfluoroalkyl or Polyfluoroalkyl Substances as a Priority Product

Recently, California’s Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) published a notice proposing that carpets and rugs containing Perfluoroalkyl or Polyfluoroalkyl Substances be listed as a Priority Product.

This proposed regulation applies to any consumer product made from natural or synthetic fabric which contain any PFASs intended to be used as a floor covering inside commercial or residential buildings with the following exclusions:

• Carpets and rugs intended solely for outdoor use
• Carpets and rugs intended solely for use inside airplanes, trains, automobiles, light duty trucks, vans, buses, or any other vehicles
• Carpets and rugs intended for use in any other indoor environments besides buildings
• Resilient floor coverings
• Artificial turf
• Wall hangings and coverings
• Table mats
• Camping sleeping mats

Comments can be submitted by April 13, 2020.

Please click here for more information.

FTC Proposes to Amend Textile Rules

On February 18, 2020, The Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) published a notice of proposed rulemaking in Federal Register which amends 16 CFR 303 Textile Rules by incorporating the most recent ISO 2076 standard for generic fiber names.

Compared to the former ISO 2076 standard, the most recent version ISO 2076:2013(E), “Textiles—Man-made fibres—Generic names” adds seven generic fiber names “Chitin,” “ceramic,” “polybenzimidazol,” “polycarbamide,” “polypropylene/polyamide bicomponent,” “protein,” and “trivinyl” to the standard.

Manufacturers or marketers of fibers not listed in § 303.7 but recognised in ISO standard do not need to petition the Commission to recognise the fiber name, but may simply use the ISO established name. Thus, this proposed amendment could reduce compliance costs and add many other benefits.

Comments must be submitted by March 19, 2020.

Please click here for more information.

Paraguay

Incorporation of the resolution Mercosur to Paraguayan legislation

On 20^th February 2020, Paraguayan Ministry of Industry and Commerce published in the Decree 3383 the incorporation of the Resolution MERCOSUR Group No. 62/18 “Mercosur Technical Regulations on Labeling of Textile Products (Repeal of GMC Resolution No. 33/07)” into the National Legal Order and partially repeals Decree No. 12085 of 23 April 2008.

This new decree incorporates the Resolution MERCOSUR in Paraguay’s legal system. 

International

Regulatory proposals notified to WTO

Please see the below table summarising the most recent notifications made to the World Trade Organization (non-exhaustive):

Upcoming dates of application

As a reminder, below is a summary table of the standards and legislation that will come into effect within the next six months and which will require application:

• Standards:
  
  China:
  
  
  • 1^st July 2020 is the date of withdrawal of the Chinese standard FZ/T 73025-2019 Knitted garment and adornment for infant
    
    This standard replaces to the Chinese standard FZ/T 73025-2013

• • 1^st July 2020 is the date of withdrawal of the Chinese standard FZ/T 73020-2019, Knitted Causal Wear
    
    These standards replace to the Chinese standard FZ/T 73020-2012

• Legislation:
  
  Manufacturers and importers should carefully consider these upcoming application dates and confirm that their products comply with these restrictions:

• • US: 16 CFR Part 1632 - Standard for the flammability of mattresses and mattress pads (FF 4-72, amended)
    
    According to the 2020 Interim Enforcement Policy for Mattresses and Mattress Pads Subject to 16 CFR Part 1632, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) recently procured a new SRM cigarette, SRM 1196a, which is now directly available for purchase from NIST
    
    This updated policy will become effective on June 8, 2020 and remain in effect until further notice

Product Recalls / Alerts

Below you will find a monthly summary table of product recalls and alerts in Europe (Source “RAPEX”) and in the US (Source “CPSC”).

Europe

RAPEX (European Commission Rapid Alert System for dangerous non-food products – Alerts reported by EU national authorities).

The following 13 alerts regarding Childcare articles, equipment and toys have been reported, from week 8 to week 11 of 2020.

US

From the 16^th February 2020 to the 15^th March of 2020, CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) has published the following recalls: 2 recalls regarding Childcare and children’s products.

Eurofins updates

Top▲

Covid-19 | Testing, inspection and certification of products and devices  

Eurofins labs at work worldwide to keep you healthy and safe

Eurofins global offer for testing, inspection and certification of products and devices, aimed to serve the increasing demand caused by the coronavirus epidemic. 

Read more >>

Eurofins Textile and Footwear Testing Spain has received U.S. CPSC accreditation

Our Softlines & Leather laboratory in Alicante, Spain has received accreditation from U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission on 16 CFR Part 1610 flammability of clothing textile, determination of phthalates and lead content in several children’s products. Please visit U.S. CPSC website for accreditation details. Don’t hesitate to contact the lab at Textile_Spain@eurofins.com if you need any assistance!

Commercial news

Top▲

Take Advantage of the Unique Range of Testing and Technical Services Offered by Eurofins | BLC

Manufacturers and retailers can get one step ahead with the unique range of testing and consulting services at Eurofins | BLC:

• Fault Diagnostic Services
• Chemical Testing (RSL compliance)
• MRSL Testing MRSL Testing (Manufacturing Restricted Substance Testing)
• Chrome VI Management Services
• Micro Plastic Testing
• Supply Chain Mapping Supply Chain Mapping with Graphical Visualisation
• Ve-MAP - Vegan Verification
• Biodegradability and Biodegradability Disintegration Testing

Read more about the above range of technical services in our brochure.

See attachment >>

Eurofins Softlines and Leather expands testing capabilities in China

Eurofins Softlines and Leather is pleased to announce the expansion of its capabilities in China, demonstrating its confidence in and commitment to the market despite global uncertainty as a result of COVID-19.

Read more >>

Fluorine chemistry – from yes to no

Once considered wonder chemicals for their water and stain resistant properties, PFCs are rapidly falling out of favour as more and more evidence comes to light of their harmful impact on people and the planet.

Read more >>

Free webinars series in April! 

Eurofins AQM has prepared a series of free webinars on some of the environmental issues that are critical in consumer products production, particularly for textile and leather products.

Read more >>

​​