Press Releases from SGS (486 total)
CARB Approved TPC Bodies Can Provide Certification on New US Formaldehyde Emissi …
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized the new rules on formaldehyde emissions for manmade wood products. Under the new regulations, Third Party Certification…
SGS Joins Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals Program
(Geneva, October 26, 2016) Today, SGS is pleased to announce it is joining the Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) Program and in doing so,…
EU Signals Changes to List of SVHCs under REACH
The European Union (EU) has signaled its intention to expand the list of substances of very high concern (SVHC) under the Annex XIV ‘Authorization List’…
Voluntary Safety Standard for Liquid Laundry Packets Published by ASTM
ASTM International has published a standard for liquid laundry packets. The standard details labeling, warning statements, specifications and testing methods for determining: content retention, force…
EU Signals Intention to Amend CLP Regulations on Substances and Mixtures
The European Union has announced it is seeking to amend the regulations regarding Classification, Labeling and Packaging of Substances and Mixtures (CLP Regulation). On August…
Changes in the Art World: ICEFAT Interviews SGS Art Expert Yan Walther
In a new interview with Chris Kneale from ICEFAT, SGS’s art services expert Yan Walther discusses the important changes he has seen in the art…
SGS Installs New Testing Equipment For Furniture In Vietnam Lab
New durability testing equipment has been installed at the SGS testing laboratory in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. This means that the lab can measure…
Formulating Cosmetics For Multiple Markets
With all the regulatory information and expertise available, it’s worth considering the destination markets where you want to sell a product as the basis for…
US Retailers Contravene Fur Products Labeling Act
Several major retailers in the United States have been found in violation of the Fur Products Labeling Act and the Textile Fiber Identification Act. Non-Governmental…
US CPSC Proposes New Standard for Baby Changing Products
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a draft notice of proposed rulemaking (NPR) relating to safety standards for baby changing products. Issued…
US Executive Order On Curbing Human Trafficking
The term “human trafficking” covers “the act of recruiting, harboring, transporting, providing, or obtaining a person for compelled labor or commercial sex acts through…
Which Clothes Burn Faster?
For example, would you expect your own jacket to protect you from fire in the same way as a fire fighter’s uniform? What level of…
EU – ECHA Consults on a Further Six Potential SVHCs
The European Chemical Agency (ECHA) has launched a public consultation on six potential Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC). Initiated on September 6, 2016, interested…
SGS Brings A Game Changing Solution To The Monitoring Of Artwork Conservation Gl …
As part of its thriving art services business, SGS, the global leader in the inspection, verification, testing and certification provides the world’s galleries, fine art…
Natural Le Coultre Interviews SGS Art Services Expert Yan Walther
In a wide-ranging interview with Natural Le Coultre, Yan Walther provides an overview of SGS’s services for the art industry and encapsulates what SGS’s 138…
Continuous Product Improvement, By Design
The framework provides the principles to design eco-effective solutions using safer materials, which can continue to be cycled back to the technical or biological ecosystems.…
Age Grading For Toys Gains Global Acceptance
For many years, the toy industry and its regulators have tried to align standards such as CEN 71 and ASTM F963 into ISO 8124 –…
Monitoring Supply Chains To Prevent Slavery
In today’s globalized economy, all companies need to monitor their supply chains at home and abroad to ensure that nobody is being exploited or otherwise…
How To Make Furniture More Stable And Help Reduce Risks
Furniture manufacturers who want to sell their products in the US and Europe (and worldwide) need to better understand the differing regulatory landscapes:
USA: Voluntary standards…
Improving Jewelry Safety In All Markets?
Jewelry products can be manufactured from a range of materials such as ceramics, crystals, enamels, glass, leather, metals and metal alloys. Jewelry can also feature…
SGS Art Services Expand to Provide Global Service
From New York to London, Paris, Geneva, Brussels and Luxembourg, SGS’s art services, dedicated to supporting collectors and collections of fine art are expanding. Clients…
European Commission Updates Regulations for Titanium Dioxide in Cosmetics
Effective August 2, 2016, the European Commission has authorized the use of Titanium Dioxide (nano) as a UV filter at a maximum concentration of 25%…
European Commission Amends Regulations on Nano Carbon Black in Cosmetics
Effective July 31, 2016, the European Commission has authorized the use of Carbon Black (nano) (CI 77266) as a colorant to a maximum concentration of…
EU Lowers Toy Migration Limits for Lead
The European Union (EU) has confirmed it intends to lower the permissible migration limits for lead in all three toy material categories by 6 to…
EU Changes Food Contact Plastics Regulations
On August 25, 2016, the European Union (EU) issued (EU) 2016/1416, making significant changes to its regulations regarding ‘Food Contact Plastics’. The new regulation amends…
Canada Updates Regulations Regarding Phthalates in Vinyl Toys and Child Care Art …
On June 22, 2016, Canada registered new Phthalates Regulations (SOR/2016-188) and repealed the Phthalates Regulations (SOR/2010-298). The new regulations, relating to phthalates in vinyl toys…
SGS To Exhibit At Kind und Jugend 2016
SGS will be on booth I-054 (Hall 11.1) at this year’s “Kind + Jugend” exhibition, the self-styled “trade show for kids’ first years” (September 15-18,…
US CPSC Proposes Mandatory Phthalate Testing Exemption for Certain Plastics
On August 17, 2016, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPR) relating to the requirement for third party testing…
US Enacts New Energy Conservation Regulations for Battery Chargers
The US Department for Energy (DOE) has published the final rule regarding energy conservation in battery chargers. From June 13, 2018, all battery chargers…
Industry Associations Response to EU RoHS ‘Pack 9’ Exemption Recommendations
On July 20, 2016, the Cross-industry Project, ‘the Umbrella Project’, released its initial response to recommendations made regarding the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) ‘Pack…
New Standard for Leather Shoes in China
On March 1, 2016, China implemented a new standard for all leather shoes and boots, with uppers made of genuine leather, man-made material or multiple…
New Code for Button Batteries in Australia
On July 29, 2016, the Australian Toy Association (ATA) published a new Industry Code relating to consumer products containing button batteries. The new Code seeks…
San Francisco is First to Set a Comprehensive Ban on Polystyrene
On July 29, 2016, San Francisco’s mayor approved amendments to the Environmental Code related to packaging waste reduction. By regulating the use of polystyrene (PS)…
Canada Introduces News Rules For Cribs, Cradles And Bassinets
Health Canada's new Cribs, Cradles and Bassinets Regulations (CCBR) introduced on June 29, 2016 – under the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA) – are…
Australia and New Zealand Publish Major Changes to Joint Toy Safety Standards
Protecting their youngest consumers and end-users, Australia and New Zealand have published major updates to their joint toy safety standards.
On 30 June 2016, Joint Standard…
European Commission Announces Plans to Restrict Hazardous Substances in Textile …
The European Commission (EC) has announced plans to restrict carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic to reproduction substances (CMR), in textile articles and clothing. The Commission intends…
EU Proposes Greater Restrictions on BPA Migration in Certain Toys
On July 18, 2016, the World Trade Organization (WTO) circulated a notification from the European Union (EU) signifying their intention to strengthen the restrictions on…
Japan Updates Regulations on Food Contact Materials Containing PEN
On June 8, 2016, the Japan Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) published Notification No.245 of 2016 to introduce new regulations regarding the use…
US President Signs Toxic Substances Control Act Reform Bill
On June 22, 2016, the US President signed into law a new Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Reform Bill. The new bill, entitled the Frank…
SGS Advises the Battery Industry at Battery Power 2016
SGS’s will attend Battery Power 2016. Their experts will be on hand to offer advice to companies seeking to gain access to regional markets, around…
Benzo[def]chrysene is Added to the Candidate List of SVHCs by ECHA
On June 20, 2016, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) added Benzo[def]chrysene to its Candidate List of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs). The addition of…
ASTM Revises Standards for Children’s Chairs and Stools
The standards organization, ASTM International (ASTM), has revised its safety standard for Children’s Chairs and Stools. Published in May 2016, the new standard, ASTM F2613-16,…
California Proposition 65 Settlements Reached on Lead, DEHP and DINP
Since December 2015, a number of new California Proposition 65 Consent Decrees and/or Settlement Agreements (Settlements) have been concluded relating to the use of DEHP,…
New Guidance on Lead Restrictions Published in the EU
On May 25, 2016, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) published a guidance document to help economic operators and regulatory bodies better interpret the scope of…
US State of Utah Amends Law Relating to Bedding, Upholstered Furniture and Quilt …
On March 17, 2016, the US State of Utah signed and passed House Bill 314, modifying the current “Bedding, Upholstered Furniture and Quilted Clothing Inspection…
Asbestos-Containing Products Banned in New Zealand
On June 15, 2016, New Zealand announced a ban on the importation of products containing asbestos. These new restrictions complement the existing ban on the…
Massachusetts Considers Restrictions on Flame Retardants
The US State of Massachusetts’ Senate passed Bill S 2302, “An Act to protect children and families from harmful flame retardants”, on May 19, 2016.…
Styrene is Added to California Proposition 65 List
Styrene has been added to the California Proposition 65 (Prop 65) list of chemicals known to cause cancer. Listed on April 22, 2016, the requirement…
New York State Proposes New Regulations for Toxic Chemicals in Children’s Prod …
New York State Assembly has passed a proposal to regulate toxic chemicals in children’s products. If the bill becomes law, it will introduce a number…
Connecticut Plans Restrictions on Flame Retardants in Consumer Products
The House of Representatives in the US State of Connecticut has passed a bill to restrict the use of flame retardants in children’s products and…
