The Norwegian government aims to reduce the levels of hazardous substances in various products that impact public health and the environment through chemical substance regulations. Annually, it conducts random audits of products circulating on the market for compliance with regulations such as EU RoHS, EU REACH, and EU POPs. This year's audit results show...
Norwegian Environment Agency annual random audit
Every year the Norwegian Environment Agency conducts random audits of products sold to consumers and private and public enterprises with the aim of preventing the import of products containing regulated substances that are harmful to health and the environment.
The inspection investigated whether kitchen utensils and equipment contained controlled substances that are harmful to health and the environment.
In order to find relevant products and companies, the Norwegian Environment Agency searches for products with relevant customs codes from the customs import list; and selects companies from countries of origin and export outside the EU from the product import data as audit targets.
A total of 47 products were purchased for inspection, including blenders, electronic thermometers, smart weighing spoons, and paper cake cups. After using a handheld XRF gun to screen and check for heavy metal content and material type, 36 of the selected products were sent to an external laboratory for chemical analysis for the following:
- Heavy metals (lead, cadmium, chromium, and mercury)
- 多環芳烴（PAHs）
- Phthalates
- 短鏈氯化石蠟 (SCCP)
- 全氟辛酸 (PFOA)
Exceeding the limit for items and contents and violating regulations
Chemical analysis results showed that 13 out of 36 products contained regulated substances; among them, the content of regulated substances in 6 products exceeded the regulatory limits (as shown in the table below).
Among the six illegal products, five were electronic products. The lead content in the internal solder joints of these five electronic products exceeded the standard, and the cadmium content of two of them also exceeded the standard. In addition, multiple PFAS were also found in paper products. The test results showed that they contained 0.054 mg/kg of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), which is higher than the limit of 0.025 mg/kg required by the EU POP regulations.
In response to these illegal products, the Norwegian Environment Agency has asked all online or physical stores selling the products to immediately stop selling them.
| Product Name | Concentration of substances restricted by regulations (w/w) | Violation of EU regulations |
| electronic blender | 18% Pb | RoHS |
| Electronic thermometer | 25% Pb; 0.07% Cd | RoHS |
| Cake cups | 0.054mg/kg PFOA | POPs |
| Smart weighing spoon | 6% Pb; 0.09% Cd | RoHS |
| Electronic thermometer | 55% Pb | RoHS |
| Electronic frying thermometer | 30% Pb | RoHS |
Sources: Norwegian Environment Agency
