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Reese’s Law was established in 2022 to mandate coin and button cell battery safety requirements at a federal level, instituting requirements ranging from certification to performance. Reese’s Law incorporates ANSI/UL 4200A-2023 to require secure battery compartments as well as packaging warnings and is effective from October 23, 2023. Compliance testing and certification began December 20,…

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The CPSC has approved an ASTM F963-23 Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Toy Safety revision for toys sold in the United States that are manufactured on or after April 20, 2024. This revision focuses on technical and physical changes for the following: Battery Accessibility Battery Compartment Attachment Acoustics Expanding Materials with Outer Coverings Environmental Conditions…

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In a recent industry letter, the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health urged medical device firms to use discernment when selecting third-party labs for performance testing. The letter described an uptick in premarket submissions with unreliable and fraudulent test data from third-party labs, particularly overseas providers. Unqualified third-party labs may provide firms with performance…

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The Toy Safety Specification, ASTM F963 was updated from the 2017 version on October 13, 2023. Some of the changes were to harmonize the Federal CPSC requirements for phthalates, heavy metals exemptions for toy substrates, and tracking labels. Other changes impact the following toy items: Sound Producing Toys (Acoustics) Battery-Operated Toys Toys with Expanding Materials…

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PFAS chemicals in consumer products continue to receive scrutiny by state regulators. Several states are regulating the use of intentionally added PFAS chemicals in several different product categories, which include food packaging, textile articles, fabric treatments, carpets & rugs, juvenile products, and cookware. Most of the state regulations are currently in effect or will go…

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California Proposition 65 Update on 60-Day Notices of Violation California Proposition 65, also known as the “Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act”, was enacted in 1986 with the purpose to guard drinking water from toxic substances and reduce human exposure to chemicals. The listed Proposition 65 chemicals are known to the state of California…

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PFAS Phaseout Guidance Published by AFIRM Group The AFIRM Group focuses on chemical management in textiles such as footwear, apparel, and accessories. AFIRM Group has recently published a document to assist supply chains is phasing out the use of PFAS in textile items such as clothing, shoes, and accessories. The guideline includes PFAS test plan…

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New PFAS Regulations by State Recent laws prohibit the manufacture and sale of restricted products Marietta, GA. (October 6, 2022) – The EPA and several states have recently enacted restrictions on the use of potentially harmful PFAS in everyday products. At the federal level, the import of articles coated with long-chain PFAS is prohibited without EPA…