〈各國環保法規〉彙整頁面 - Page 13 of 17

The new EU RoHS directive is expected to take effect in 2014

The new EU RoHS Directive is expected to take effect in 2014. According to Article 4, Paragraph 7 of the draft EU RoHS Directive COM(2008) 809/4 (downloadable from the attachment), "When a chemical substance poses an unacceptable risk to human health or the environment, especially substances listed in Annex III (HBCDD, DEHP, BBP, DBP), the assessment must be conducted on a EU-wide basis. The limits for restricted substances listed in Annex IV should be reassessed in accordance with Articles 69-72 of the REACH Regulation." Therefore, it is estimated that the new RoHS will not add any restricted substances, but will depend on the results of future risk assessments. The new RoHS Directive is expected to be published after the European Parliament elections in June 2009, and its official entry into force is expected to be in 2014. – Reference source: SGS Newsletter 2009-03-02 – Translated by Plastics Industry Technology Development Center – For reference only, please refer to the original text. Other related files download: COM_2008_809_4.pdf

2009-03-25

EU cosmetics law restricts the use of a variety of substances

EU Cosmetics Law Restricts the Use of Several Substances The European Commission's Official Journal published a new Directive (2009/6/EC) on February 5th of this year, amending Directive 76/768/EEC on Cosmetics. This directive bans two substances (one of which may be present only in trace amounts) and allows the use of three substances, subject to certain conditions. Directive 2009/6/EC will be implemented in all 27 EU member states, and traders selling cosmetics in any member state must comply with the new regulations. According to EU Cosmetics Law, "cosmetics" consist of any substance or preparation that comes into contact with multiple external parts of the human body (including skin, hair, nails, lips, and external genitalia) or teeth and mouth, and is intended specifically for cleansing, fragrance, altering appearance, eliminating body odor, and protecting related areas. Annex 1 to Directive 76/768/EEC lists cosmetics, including creams, lotions, lotions, gels and emollients for the skin, soaps, deodorants, perfumes, hair or nail care products, whitening and anti-wrinkle skin care products, and oral care products. The EU's "List of Cosmetic Ingredients" includes diethylene glycol (DEG), a solvent that controls viscosity and provides a covering effect. In July 2007, the Spanish government notified the European Commission that they had found toothpaste products containing up to 8.3% diethylene glycol. The EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Products considered the use of diethylene glycol in cosmetics to be dangerous, but safe at concentrations below 0.1%. Therefore, the new Cosmetic Directive...

2009-03-25

Argentinian government to regulate phthalates

The Argentine government will regulate phthalates. Starting March 11, 2009, the Argentine government will regulate the use of phthalates in children's toys and care products. In the future, all children's toys and care products manufactured, sold, or imported/exported within Argentina will be subject to a concentration of DEHP (di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate), DBP (dibutyl phthalate), and BBP (butyl phthalate) not exceeding 0.1% (w/w). For products that may be put in a child's mouth, the concentration of DINP (diisononyl phthalate), DIDP (diisodecyl phthalate), and DnOP (diisooctyl phthalate) will be limited to 0.1% (w/w). Products transshipped through Argentina to other countries are not subject to this regulation. Manufacturers importing children's toys and care products into Argentina must submit a technical report prepared by the Centre for Technological Research and Development of the Plastic Industry of Argentina to prove that their products are free of regulated phthalates. Argentine regulations define "child care products" as finished products primarily designed and intended to help children fall asleep, relax, maintain health, and feed themselves. – Reference source: SGS newsletter (see attachment for original text) 2009-02-2

2009-03-25

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Enhancement Act Enforcement Guidelines

Enforcement Guidelines for the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Enhancement Act (CPSA) The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) continues to advance the implementation of various provisions of the CPSA of 2008, including new regulations concerning lead and phthalate content in certain categories of children's products, which took effect on February 10. Given the significant concerns raised by the U.S. business community regarding these new regulations, the CPSC has recently provided guidance on some important implementation and enforcement issues, summarized below. Draft Guidance on the Scope of the Phthalate Ban The CPSC has released a draft guidance aimed at assisting manufacturers, importers, retailers, and consumers in identifying which children's toys and childcare products must comply with the new phthalate content limits. The CPSC notes that, due to limited resources, it intends to focus enforcement efforts on products most likely to expose children to phthalates, namely bath toys intended for young children, toys that can be put in the mouth, and other small plastic toys. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is also consulting with the industry on its methodology for determining which products must comply with phthalate content regulations. The consultation period ends on March 25. According to the CPSC's definition, children's toys are "toys designed by manufacturers for children aged 12 years or under..."

2009-03-25

Chinese version of WEEE announced: costs for electrical appliance manufacturers have increased by 5%

China's version of WEEE announced: Electrical appliance manufacturers' costs are rising 5% Nearly three years after the EU's Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE) was fully implemented, China announced China WEEE. On March 5, 2009, the General Office of the State Council of China officially issued State Council Order No. 551, officially promulgating the "Regulations on the Management of Recycling and Disposal of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment" that was reviewed and approved on August 20 last year. At this time, nearly five years have passed since the National Development and Reform Commission formulated the draft for comments. The just-promulgated Chinese version of WEEE can be traced back to 2004. After the European Union's "Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive" officially came into effect in 2003, the National Development and Reform Commission issued a draft of the "Regulations on the Recycling and Treatment of Waste Home Appliances and Electronic Products" as early as September 2004. Since then, many countries and regions, including Japan, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, Canada, and some states in the United States, have also begun to step up the formulation of relevant laws. For example, Japan promulgated the "Household Appliances Recycling Act" and the "JEITA/JEMA Product Recycling Initiative" in 2006, South Korea promulgated the "Electronic Electrical Equipment and Vehicle Recycling Act" at the end of 2007, and California in the United States promulgated the "California Electronic Waste Recycling Act." The Chinese version of WEEE encountered setbacks in the process of soliciting opinions. A relevant person from Skyworth Group told reporters: "We saw this solicitation draft at the end of 2004, but it stipulated that the recycling costs of waste electronic products should mainly be borne by the manufacturers. , this fee accounts for about 10% of the product cost, which is

2009-03-25

China announces Regulations on the Management of Recycling and Disposal of Waste Electrical and Electronic Products

China promulgates the "Regulations on the Management of Recycling and Disposal of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment" The State Council of China announced the following information on February 25, 2009: "The 'Regulations on the Management of Recycling and Disposal of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment,' adopted at the 23rd Executive Meeting of the State Council on August 20, 2008, are hereby promulgated and shall come into effect on January 1, 2011." The "Regulations on the Management of Recycling and Disposal of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment," also known as China WEEE, consists of five chapters and 35 articles. The recycling, disposal, and related activities of waste electrical and electronic equipment listed in the "Catalogue of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment" must comply with the provisions of China WEEE. With approximately two years remaining before the implementation of China WEEE, the Chinese government will also begin formulating the "Catalogue of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment," the management methods for the collection and use of the waste electrical and electronic equipment disposal fund, and the standards for fund fees and processing subsidies for different products. The full text of the "Regulations on the Management of Recycling and Disposal of Waste Electrical and Electronic Products" can be found at the following URL: http://big5.gov.cn/gate/big5/www.gov.cn/zwgk/2009-03/04/content_1250419.htm – Source: Official website of the Chinese government

2009-03-25

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act - Phthalate Ester Q&A Compilation (III) NO.4/2009

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act - Phthalate Q&A Compilation (III) NO.4/2009 Does the ban apply to children's footwear or socks? Footwear and socks are not classified as children's toys or care products. Are personal flotation devices, such as life vests, regulated by the CPSIA? Specifically, should such products made for and intended for children be considered children's products under the CPSIA? No. Life vests are excluded from the Consumer Product Safety Act and are regulated by the U.S. Coast Guard. The CPSIA defines children's products as consumer products specifically made for children under 12 years of age. Because life vests are not consumer products, they are not regulated. However, toy life vests or flotation devices (such as "water wings") are regulated by the CPSC. Does the CPSIA consider pool toys and beach balls as children's toys? Pool toys, beach balls, inflatable rafts, and swim rings designed for children under 12 years of age are classified as children's toys. These items are used by children while playing in pools or on beaches, and therefore need to comply with the limits for phthalates under Chapter 108. What certifications are required for children's toys or childcare products regulated by the phthalate ban? Children's toys and childcare products manufactured on or after February 10, 2009, require general conformity certification, which is based on "testing each product or a reasonable set of tests." From September 2009, for children's toys...

2009-03-24

The European Union has officially adopted the internationally accepted chemical classification and labelling system.

The European Union officially adopted the internationally accepted chemical classification and labelling system. On December 31, 2008, the European Council published the official text of the new EU Regulation ((EC) No. 1272/2008) on the classification, labelling and packaging of chemicals and mixtures (CLP). The new CLP adopted the United Nations' Global Harmonized System for the Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS), aligning the EU's chemical classification and labelling system with the globally accepted GHS system. The CLP officially came into effect on January 20, 2009, and the existing Chemicals Classification, Labelling and Packaging Directive (67/548/EEC) and Preparations Directive (Directive 1999/45/EC) were completely superseded on June 1, 2015. The implementation of the CLP was phased in. The old Directive on the classification, labeling, and packaging of chemicals was repealed on December 1, 2010, and the old Directive on the classification, labeling, and packaging of preparations (mixtures) was repealed on June 1, 2015 (see Figure 1 for details). The CLP primarily amended the existing Directive (67/548/EEC), with Annex I of 67/548/EEC being superseded. New classification elements, including hazard symbols and warnings (such as "Danger" and "Warning"), were introduced into the CLP. The CLP also amended relevant content in some major EU laws, regulations, and directives.

2009-03-24

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act - Phthalate Ester Q&A Compilation (II) NO.3/2009

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act - Phthalate Q&A Compilation (II) NO.3/2009 How to determine if a product is a children's toy that meets phthalate limits? Section 108 restricts the content of phthalates in children's toys and childcare products. Children's toys are consumer products manufactured specifically for play by children under 12 years of age. Determining whether a particular product is specifically designed for play by children under 12 years of age is based on the following factors on a case-by-case basis: The manufacturer's statement of intended use, including on the product label. Whether the packaging, display, advertising, or promotion is geared towards a specific age group. Widespread consumer perception that the product is intended for children of a specific age group. The Age Decision Guide issued by the Commission members in 2002, and any subsequent revisions to this guide. Manufacturers must provide the above requirements, and then consider whether the product is intended for play by children to determine whether it meets the definition of a children's toy. Whether a product is intended for play by children is the most fundamental consideration in the determination process. During the transition period, the committee plans to use the ASTM F963-07 toy standard as a guide. How can one determine if a product meets phthalate limits for childcare products? Childcare products are consumer products manufactured specifically to help children under 3 years old with sleep, feeding, breastfeeding, or teething. For example, rubber pacifiers/teething rings are teething aids.

2009-03-24

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act's enforcement guidelines for Section 101 – Lead Limitation, No. 7/2009

Enforcement Guidelines for Section 101 – Lead Limits under the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA) NO.7/2009 The CPSIA, effective August 14, 2008, established lead limits for children's products. The CPSIA defines children's products as those primarily intended for use by children under 12 years of age. These products must meet new standards for lead content in children's products (600 ppm from February 10, 2009, to 300 ppm from August 14, 2009, and further reduced to a technically feasible minimum in 2011). The Statement of Commission Enforcement Policy, issued on February 6, 2009, outlined the enforcement guidelines after February 10, 2009. Its key points are summarized below: Section 101(b)(2) states that the new lead limits do not apply to components of children's products that are not accessible to children through reasonable use. Section 101(b)(4) states that Congress authorized the Commission to establish and publish rules limiting lead content in specific electronic devices. The Commission published a draft of this rule on 6 January 2009, and the Commission also hoped to implement it in 2009.

2009-03-21

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has decided to postpone the implementation of testing and certification requirements for certain products for one year.

On January 30, 2009, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced on its official website that it had decided to postpone for one year the implementation of the proposed testing and certification requirements for certain products manufactured and imported by manufacturers and importers, including products for children aged 12 and under, scheduled to begin on February 10, 2009. The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) adds product testing and certification requirements to all products that comply with CPSC regulations or prohibitions.

2009-03-21

European Commission publishes draft ecological design requirements for circulators

The European Commission has published a draft working document on ecodesign requirements for circulators. The following is a summary of the draft document outlining the current ecodesign requirements for circulators. The full text can be downloaded from the attachment. Energy Efficiency Requirements: From January 1, 2012: The Energy Efficiency Index (EEI) of the circulator must be less than 0.27, and must (1) indicate the EEI on the product label, packaging, and technical documents (e.g., “EEI ≦ 0.[xx]”); (2) provide the following information on the product packaging and technical documents: “Optimal circulator performance is EEI ≦ 0.18” From January 1, 2015: The Energy Efficiency Index (EEI) of the circulator must be less than 0.23 – Reference source: UK MTP website 2009-02-12 Other related file downloads: Working Document on Circulator

2009-03-01

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act - Phthalate Ester Q&A Compilation

US Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act – Phthalate Q&A Compilation 1. How to determine if a product is a children's toy that meets phthalate limits? Chapter 108 restricts the content of phthalates in children's toys and childcare products. Children's toys are consumer products manufactured specifically for children under 12 years of age to use as playthings. Determining whether a particular product is specifically designed for children under 12 years of age to use as playthings is based on a case-by-case consideration of the following factors: * The manufacturer's statement of intended use, including on the product label. * Whether the packaging, display, promotion, or advertising is geared towards a specific age group. * The widespread consumer perception that the product is intended for children of a specific age group.

2009-03-01

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act - Phthalate FAQ Compilation (I)

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act - Phthalates Q&A Compilation (I) NO.2/2009 On August 14, 2008, U.S. President Bush signed the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA). This act authorized and expanded the powers of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to prevent unsafe products from entering the United States, addressing shortcomings in existing U.S. consumer product safety laws. The following is a compilation of frequently asked questions regarding products containing specific phthalates. Which products are prohibited from using phthalates? Children's toys and childcare products are permanently prohibited from containing concentrations exceeding 0.1% of bis-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), or butyl paraben phthalate (BBP). Children's toys refer to products suitable for children under 12 years old; while childcare products refer to products that help children under 3 years old fall asleep, eat, breastfeed, or teethe. Additionally, products containing more than 0.1% diisononyl phthalate (DINP), diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP), or dioctyl phthalate (DnOP) in children's products and childcare products that may be put in a child's mouth are temporarily prohibited until final regulations are issued. Does this ban apply to small parts? As per CPSIA Article 10...

2009-02-12

The European Parliament has approved a new toy safety directive, No. 1/2009.

The European Parliament adopted a new Toy Safety Directive, No. 1/2009, on December 18, 2008, in Strasbourg, France. This directive covers issues such as the materials used in the production of children's toys, testing, and market regulation. The existing Toy Safety Directive 88/378/EEC had been in effect for 20 years, while the new directive primarily aims to raise safety standards to ensure that dangerous toys do not enter the market and to protect children from harm caused by dangerous toys. The new directive provides a more detailed definition and division of responsibilities for economic operators: Manufacturers (product files must be kept for 10 years, and toys must bear type/serial numbers), Authorized Representatives, Importers, and Wholesalers. A new requirement has been added that manufacturers must provide an EC Declaration of Conformity. Manufacturers must retain this declaration for 10 years after a toy is placed on the market. Manufacturers must conduct safety/risk assessments and identify potentially harmful substances in toys; this record must be kept in technical documentation. Chemicals: Toys are prohibited from containing substances that may be carcinogenic, mutagenic, or harmful to reproduction (CMR). Fifty-five allergenic fragrances have been banned. In addition to the eight substances currently restricted by the directive (antimony, arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury, and selenium), several new elements and their limits have been added. Other restrictions include: toys are strictly prohibited from being attached to food; toys sold with food must be separately packaged. The development of toys with sound-producing functions will be implemented.

2009-02-12

New revised EU WEEE draft – Q&A collection NO.44/2008

New revised EU WEEE draft – Q&A collection NO.44/2008 Scope and definitions Transfer specific annexes on the scope of the existing WEEE directive to the RoHS directive (article 95). The scope of the WEEE Directive will refer to the relevant appendix of the 10 categories of products applicable to the RoHS Directive. Clarify equipment outside the scope of the directive (e.g. fixed installation). In the future, devices will be divided into household devices (B2C – business to consumer) and non-home devices (B2B – business to business) through work procedures (comitology). The definitions in the directive are the same as the Waste Framework directive and the "Product Marketing" definition. Added definition of "remove". The 65% WEEE collection rate proposed in the collection target is based on the average number of electronic and electrical equipment that will be on the market in the next two years. Producers are required to meet the collection rate of this proposal every year starting in 2016. This rate applies to domestic and non-domestic WEEE. For specific countries that have difficulty meeting collection targets, working procedures will allow for transitional disposal. In 2012 the European Parliament and the Council will

2009-01-10

EU RoHS New Revised Draft – Q&A Collection NO.43/2008

EU RoHS New Draft Amendments – Q&A Summary NO.43/2008 The European Commission published its proposed amendments to the existing RoHS Directive on December 3, 2008, along with a Q&A summary explaining the amendments and their rationale. The Q&A summary is as follows: A. Scope and Definitions (What is proposed?) Two new annexes describing the scope of the directive are added. Annex I describes specific product categories, while Annex II, revised by the Commission, provides a list of products within each category. Medical devices and monitoring and control instruments are included in the regulatory scope in stages. New definitions are added, such as "medical devices" and "homogeneous materials." B. Proposed Restricted Substances The existing list of prohibited substances and maximum concentration values are moved to Annex IV and revised by the Commission according to its working procedures (comitology). The list of prohibited substances remains unchanged; however, four substances (HBCDD, DEHP, BBP, and DBP) have been identified as priority assessment targets and may be added to the list of prohibited substances in the future. Allowing the use of components that do not comply with the directive will facilitate the market entry of equipment containing exclusionary substances. A new appendix has been added to exclude medical devices and monitoring and control instruments to address special circumstances where no viable alternatives are currently available. The new prohibited substances will be consistent with the REACH directive assessment methods to ensure consistency and maximum effectiveness of chemical regulations.

2009-01-08

Australian Energy Efficiency Standard (MEPS) Testing - Digital Set-Top Box

Australian Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEPS) Testing – Digital Set-Top Boxes Regulations implemented on December 1, 2008 (Australia) and April 1, 2009 (New Zealand). All digital TV (DTV) set-top boxes (STBs) imported into or manufactured in these regions must comply with the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEPS) and be registered on the Energy Labelling – Energy Rating website. Note: Digital set-top boxes manufactured before the above implementation dates are still allowed to be sold. Product Categories: DTV STB free-to-air (FTA) DTV STB Subscription TV (STV) Minimum Energy Efficiency Requirements: Set-top boxes must be tested according to the method of AS/NZS 62087.1. For set-top boxes with different functions, the power consumption in passive standby mode, active standby mode, and ON mode must not exceed the limits of AS/NZS 62087.2.1. Set-top boxes that meet the following requirements are considered high-energy-efficiency products: They must meet the corresponding minimum energy efficiency requirements; their power consumption in passive standby mode must not exceed 1W.

2009-01-08

Greenpeace releases the tenth edition of "Guide to Greener Electronics" NO.42/2008

Greenpeace released the 10th edition of "Guide to Greener Electronics" NO.42/2008. Since the first edition of the Guide to Greener Electronics in August 2006, Greenpeace has updated the assessment every three months. The latest 10th edition was released on November 24, 2008, assessing 18 world-renowned manufacturers, covering products such as computers, mobile phones, televisions, and game consoles. Assessment Focus: This assessment continues the focus of the eighth edition, evaluating each manufacturer based on 15 criteria, including: Whether specific hazardous substances are used in products; SVHCs included on or after December 1, 2010, with notification no later than six months after the substance's inclusion; and improvements to corporate policies and practices related to climate and energy. Ranking: Nokia retained its first place with a score of 6.9, followed by Sony Ericsson, Toshiba, and Samsung tied for second place, with Fujitsu Siemens and LGE close behind. Motorola, Microsoft, Dell, and Apple have not set any targets or timelines for reducing global warming pollution and carbon dioxide emissions. Only Fujitsu, Philips, and Sharp support a target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2020; HP and Philips have made a more explicit commitment to reduce emissions in [specific areas].

2008-12-24

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act No. 41/2008

On August 14, 2008, US President George W. Bush signed the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA). This act authorized and expanded the powers of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to prevent unsafe products from entering the United States, addressing shortcomings in existing US consumer product safety laws. Key provisions of the CPSIA include: banning the sale of any product intended for children 12 years or younger that contains more lead than permitted; and implementing phased limits on lead content. The lead content limit was set at 600 ppm starting February 10, 2009; the second phase, starting August 14, 2009, allowed a limit of 300 ppm; and three years later, on August 14, 2011, the allowed limit was further reduced to 100 ppm. The lead content limit for paints on furniture, toys, and other children's products was lowered from 0.06% to 0.009% by weight, effective August 14, 2009. Permanent restrictions have been imposed on bis-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), and butylparaben (BBP). Transitional restrictions have been imposed on diisononyl phthalate (DINP), diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP), and di-n-octyl phthalate (DNOP) until the Chronic Hazards Advisory Group (CHAP) reviews these three phthalates.

2008-12-24