SGS Consumer Testing Services

The Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC) and the Committee for Socio-Economic Analysis (SEAC) have recently agreed on Sweden’s proposal to restrict lead and its compounds in consumer articles that can be placed in the mouth by small children.

An amendment to the Safe Drinking Water Act set a lead limit of 0.25% in plumbing and fixtures for use in systems that provide water for human consumption.

On 24 December 2013 the United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) published their proposed rule on mitigation strategies to protect food against intentional adulteration.

According to Recital 10, of EU Directive 2011/65/EU (RoHS), the use of the following substances should be considered as a priority for the first review, which must be completed before 22 July 2014.

On 3 December 2013, European Union (EU) Commission Recommendation 2011/516/EU (1) was replaced by Commission Recommendation 2013/711/EU (2).

From January 29 - February 3, 2014, SGS will be exhibiting at the Nuremberg Toy Fair. The company will answer all technical questions relating to the European Toy Safety Directive.

US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed a rule to require manufacturers of antibacterial hand soaps and body washes to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of their products for long-term use.

Aspartame and its breakdown products are safe for human consumption at current levels of exposure. This is the conclusion the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published in its first full risk assessment of this sweetener (1).

The US State of Massachusetts favors a bill to restrict certain flame retardants in children’s products and other consumer products. If eventually approved, the new law would take effect on 1 January 2014.

On 16 December 2013, 7 substances were added to the Candidate List of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) for Authorization by the European Chemical Agency (ECHA) (1).