SGS Consumer Testing Services

EU gives special attention to mutagenic, toxic or carcinogenic substances in medical devices.

On 20 March 2014, the National Health and Family Planning Commission of the Republic of China announced No 4/2014, National food safety standard on maximum residue levels (MRLs) of pesticides in food (GB 2763-2014).

On 19 June 2014, SGS will be presenting a complimentary webinar recap of recent changes regarding the EU toy safety standards.

Malaysia has recently notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) on its food contact ceramics regulation. The new law has chemical, physical and labeling requirements. The final date for comments is 23 May 2014.

On 17 April 2014 the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC) released the 2013 Food Safety Progress Report. US CDC reports that limited progress has been made to reduce foodborne illness in the US.

On 05 March 2014 the World Health Organization (WHO) published their draft guidelines on free sugars intake. Free sugars include mono and disaccharides added to food and sugars naturally present in honey, syrups, fruit juices and fruit concentrates.

On 12 November 2013, China’s General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) and the National Standardization Management Committee published the No. 22 Standard Notice of 2013.

Canada has recently formally approved measures to prohibit the use of the flame retardant tris-(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP) in products containing polyurethane foam for young children. The new law will take effect on 24 October 2014.

On 15 April 2014 the European Parliament voted in favor of new rules to improve the safety of consumer products on the EU market, including products imported from outside the EU.

The European Committee for Standardization (CEN) has recently published the new toy safety standard EN 71-7:2014 for finger paints.