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Fashion brand collaborations develop cradle-to-cradle safety materials

Five fashion brands have partnered with a non-governmental certification and ecolabel organization in the United States to develop certified materials that meet its standards for use in their supply chains. These brands, including H&M, Kering, Loomstate, Zero + Maria Cornejo, and Eileen Fisher, have joined the Fashion Positive Plus initiative established by the Cradle to Cradle (C2C) Product Innovation Research Center. By joining this initiative, these companies first compiled a list of their most frequently used materials, which were then tested for chemicals by an impartial third-party laboratory. This marks the first time multiple companies have jointly applied for C2C's ecolabel. C2C certifies the sustainability of materials through its self-defined and rigorous cross-industry circular economy standards. These standards cover various product categories, including building materials, interior decoration materials, packaging materials, personal care products, household goods, textiles, and apparel. The C2C standard aims to assess materials across five key quality areas: – Material health; – Material reusability; – Renewable energy and carbon management; – Water resource management; and – Social equity. After assessment, products will receive basic, copper, and other certifications in each of these five areas.

2017-09-28

The EU website adds REACH Appendix 17 Q&A to help answer industry questions

A new REACH Appendix 17 Q&A was added to the EU website to help answer industry questions. On June 7, 2017, the European Chemicals Agency announced that it would work with the European Commission on Annex XVII of the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals Regulations (REACH Regulation). new guidance in a question-and-answer format. The purpose of restrictive measures is to protect human health and the environment from unacceptable risks arising from exposure to chemicals. Restrictions apply to substances existing on their own as well as in mixtures or articles, including substances that do not require registration. Merchants must note that these restrictions apply to both EU-made and imported goods. The guidelines are published in a question-and-answer format and are intended to assist relevant industries and also assist law enforcement agencies in implementing relevant restrictions in all member states. According to the Q&A content, multiple items in Annex XVII (items 5, 31, 43, 50, 51 and 52) are all related to toys. However, the "REACH Regulation" does not define the meaning of "toys". According to the European Union's Toy Safety Directive (Directive 2009/48/EC), a toy is defined as "a product designed or intended for use by children under 14 years of age in play (whether or not specifically intended for their use)." The "Directive" has provided a detailed list in Annex I, specifying what products do not fall into the category of toys (such as folk dolls and decorative dolls, or puzzles with more than 500 pieces). In addition, some products clearly listed as not belonging to the category of toys include toy cars equipped with internal combustion engines, toy steam engines, ejector and catapults.

2017-09-28

UEAPME criticizes REACH guidelines for failing to assist SMEs in complying with SVHC obligations in finished products

UEAPME criticized the REACH guidelines for being unable to help small and medium-sized enterprises comply with their obligations on SVHC in finished products. Last month, the European Chemical Agency (ECHA) issued an updated guidance (Guidance on requirements for substances in articles) to assist manufacturers in understanding if finished products contain high levels of SVHC. Substances of concern (SVHC), in order to comply with the requirements of REACH regulations, manufacturers must prepare information and respond. The European Association of Craft, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (UEAPME) pointed out that the case studies cited in the guidelines published by ECHA are not of substantial help to small and medium-sized enterprises. In 2015, ECHA ruled that when identifying whether the SVHC content in a finished product exceeds 0.11% by weight of TP3T, the definition of the finished product must be uniformly standardized within the EU, thus interpreting the finished product. The single entities contained and composed of an article are regarded as finished products under the REACH regulations. Therefore, in a relatively complex product, its numerous components will be regarded as individual finished products. Therefore, component suppliers are also given the responsibility to communicate SVHC information in the REACH regulations. For REACH Regulation 7(2), the SVHC content in the finished product exceeds 0.1%

2017-09-28

In July 2017, EU REACH officially announced 174 substances of high concern

In July 2017, the EU's REACH officially announced 174 Substances of Very High Concern (SHC). The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) added one SHC to the list on July 7, 2017, bringing the total number of SHCs to 174. "Perfluorohexane-1-sulphonic acid and its salts" (PFHxS) is a per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) flame retardant used in plasticizers, surfactants, and fire-retardant foams. It was included on the SHC list due to its "very persistent and very bioaccumulative (vPvB)" properties. Meanwhile, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has also adjusted the reasons for including certain substances in the SVHC list, incorporating the classification criteria for endocrine disruptors. This includes five substances: di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), butyl phthalate (BBP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP), and bisphenol A. Businesses should pay particular attention to the EU REACH regulations regarding finished product notification and supply chain communication. The notification requirements apply under the following conditions: 1. The substance is likely to be included in the list of authorized Substances of Very High Concern (SHC) (Article 57); and 2. The total annual amount of SHC in the finished products of an individual manufacturer or importer exceeds 1 tonne; and 3. SHC...

2017-09-28

Ford develops bamboo fiber materials to achieve its vehicle lightweighting goals.

Ford develops bamboo fiber material to achieve vehicle body lightweighting Ford Motor will work to find sustainable materials for automotive manufacturing, according to a news release earlier this month. Currently, Ford has begun evaluating the use of bamboo fiber to strengthen plastics and apply them to storage boxes or siding. Ford has been actively seeking and developing new application materials globally in recent years. Instead of the previous centralized procurement, which transports materials found from various places to a factory for R&D and manufacturing, Ford has introduced a low-carbon concept to produce locally produced sustainable materials in the shortest transportation distance at local manufacturing plants and supply them to assembly plants in the same region. By resorting to new forms of production and manufacturing models, Ford will help Ford improve the efficiency of automotive materials, reduce negative environmental impacts to regions with abundant and sustainable materials everywhere, and strengthen local social and economic benefits through Ford's supply chain. Bamboo fiber is not only a renewable resource, but also a better alternative to the fiberglass used by traditional industries to strengthen the strength of plastics. And compared to fiberglass, the weight is 15-20% lighter, therefore, for automakers, body lightweight is one of the key points for refining car performance. Not just automakers, but brands in other industries are beginning to require their supply chain manufacturers to meet international sustainability requirements, especially the sources of key raw materials. General Motors has committed to working with the tire industry to ensure that its tire raw materials come from sustainable sources. The apparel manufacturing industry focuses on building sustainable supply chains, such as Levi Strauss & Co. investing funds to assist supply chain innovation.

2017-09-28

Apple's sustainable forests are sufficient to supply the product packaging materials needed.

Apple's Sustainable Forests Supplies Enough for Product Packaging Apple recently announced that its 320,000 acres of forest in mainland China have been certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Therefore, these sustainable forests not only maintain the local ecosystem and environment but also provide sufficient raw materials for all Apple product packaging. Apple's forest conservation program, launched in 2015 in partnership with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), aims to gradually convert over one million acres of forest land in southern provinces of mainland China into sustainable forests by 2020. Apple's first goal in this program was to increase the area of ​​protected and FSC-certified forests to over 300,000 acres through sustainable management, a goal successfully achieved within two years. Apple attributed this rapid and successful achievement to its partnerships with two major paper manufacturers in Hunan and Guangxi provinces, as well as WWF. WWF assisted these two companies in establishing forest sustainability management systems and trained their employees to identify forests of high conservation value; these are two of the most important core concepts required for FSC certification. Apple stated that it continues to consider how to make its packaging smaller, develop technologies for more efficient paper use, and use recycled paper whenever possible. In 2016, Apple used 131,000 metric tons of fiber.

2017-09-28

The US CPSC has banned five types of plasticizers and excluded seven types of plastics from toys.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has approved a bill to ban five plasticizers from children's products, effective October 18, 2017. This agreement stemmed from a complaint filed by an NGO that the bill's proposal had been delayed for over two years, prompting the CPSC to consult with the NGO to confirm the bill's release date. Under the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) of 2008, the CPSC proposed in late 2014 to ban the following five plasticizers from being added to children's toys at concentrations exceeding 0.1%: – diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP); – di-n-pentyl phthalate (DnPP); – di-n-hexyl phthalate (DnHP); – dicyclohexyl phthalate (DCHP); and – diisononyl phthalate (DINP). In addition, in August 2016, the CPSC proposed restrictions on certain plastics used in children's products.

2017-09-27

The non-governmental organization ChemSec provides a platform for advocating for alternatives to hazardous chemicals.

Nonprofit organization ChemSec has launched The Marketplace, an online platform for suppliers and buyers to exchange information on alternatives to hazardous chemicals. The website welcomes any products that help solve hazardous chemical problems, including alternative chemicals and new technological solutions that allow people to no longer use hazardous substances. Currently, many companies increasingly want to avoid using hazardous chemicals in their products, but lack access to safe alternatives, making this change difficult. ChemSec created The Marketplace to help the industry understand these safe alternatives and provide market opportunities for alternative manufacturers. The Marketplace targets innovative companies committed to making chemical management more sustainable, as well as businesses providing feasible methods to replace hazardous chemicals. However, The Marketplace is merely a communication platform for users to showcase products on the market and does not have transaction functions. Alternative manufacturers can post advertisements for free to introduce their safe alternatives to potential buyers. All companies advertising on The Marketplace are responsible for the accuracy of their information; the website does not conduct any investigations into advertised products. Downstream users can search for suitable alternatives through The Marketplace's database and can also post their requirements on the website. The Marketplace also offers advanced search options, allowing users to...

2017-09-27

NGO demands product information system to achieve “toxic-free” circular economy

NGOs require product information systems to achieve a "toxic-free" circular economy. Several NGO groups have jointly spoken out, asking the European Commission to consider establishing a unified product information system to strengthen the information management of hazardous substances in products and waste. The European Union has actively promoted circular economy policies in recent years, requiring consumers to increase the proportion of recycling and encouraging recycling companies to recycle waste into raw materials. However, there are currently no norms or regulations in the EU that require the disclosure of information on hazardous substances in waste materials, making it impossible for recycling and processing operators to determine whether recycled materials contain hazardous substances. Therefore, in response to the concerns of NGO groups on this issue, the European Environmental Bureau (EEB) stated that a unified product information system is indeed an effective solution. A unified product information system will need to merge several different regulatory requirements, including WEEE and REACH, and adopt a standard digital format to facilitate use by specific target groups. ClientEarth, one of the NGO groups, said that in order to be used for a long time, this information system must ensure that all relevant information, including the chemical composition of substances, can be provided to all manufacturers in the circular economy chain, especially recycling and processing operators and users. Material manufacturer. Another NGO CHEM Trust requires all substances of very high concern (Substance of very High Concern, SV

2017-09-27

CVS and Nestle embrace international sustainable packaging standards.

CVS and Nestle Embrace International Sustainable Packaging Standards. The global sustainable packaging market is projected to grow to over $404.3 billion in ten years. Companies that prioritize this trend can not only increase customer satisfaction but also reduce their product's environmental footprint. Therefore, the Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC) has partnered with two major industry groups to launch new sustainable packaging standards. To strengthen the impact of reducing product packaging waste, the international health chain pharmacy CVS Health has joined the SPC, which already has over 190 members worldwide, including Target, Unilever, P&G, and USPS, to collaboratively develop more advanced and sustainable packaging materials. CVS stated that a key aspect of its CSR is reducing the negative environmental impact of its operations, particularly in reducing product and packaging waste, and it hopes to achieve its sustainability goals by joining the SPC. Since CVS's business provides consumers with healthier medicines, food, nutritional supplements, personal care products, and cosmetics, more and more consumers are demanding that products and packaging meet the company's sustainability goals. In early 2017, CVS announced that nearly 600 personal care and cosmetic products sold on its platform would be free of phthalates (parabens) and formaldehyde, the most common formaldehyde emitters. Products failing to meet these zero-addition standards by the end of 2019...

2017-09-27

Stanford University research found that global energy consumption will decrease by 23% as the world transitions to green energy.

A Stanford University study found that global energy consumption would decrease by 23% after the transition to green energy. Stanford University's School of Earth, Energy and Environment published a study investigating 139 countries that account for 99% of global carbon emissions, projecting their future transition scenarios based on their renewable energy resources. The study considered many factors, including electricity, transportation, air conditioning, industry, and agriculture, forestry, and fisheries. Large countries have the most space to develop renewable energy and are the easiest to transition to renewable energy power, as solar and wind power production increases with area. Smaller countries like Singapore would need to develop offshore wind power. After a complete switch to renewable energy, the costs of extraction, transportation, and refining of oil and gas would be reduced by 13% globally. Without oil, gasoline-powered internal combustion engines would cease to be used, and electric motors, due to their higher energy efficiency, would replace them, reducing global energy demand by 23%. While jobs in the oil industry would disappear after a complete transition, the number of jobs created by renewable energy would far outweigh the job losses. According to this study, 27.7 million jobs disappeared, but 52 million jobs were created, an excess of 24.3 million. Source: CSRone Sustainability Report Platform (August 26, 2017)

2017-09-27

REACH Appendix 17 adds restrictions on perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), its salts and related substances

REACH Annex 17 adds restrictions on perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA'), its salts and related substances. The European Commission announces perfluorooctanoic acid ('PFOA'), its salts and PFOA-related substances. Included in the restriction list of Appendix 17 of the REACH regulation, this restriction will be implemented gradually from July 4, 2020. The restriction notice states that perfluorooctanoic acid, its salts and PFOA-related substances provide water, oil, and/or stain resistance due to their high friction resistance, dielectric properties, heat and chemical resistance, and low surface energy. function, so it is widely used in the production of fluoropolymers (fluoropolymers) and fluoroelastomers (fluoroelastomers), fire-extinguishing foams, textiles and paper, etc. PFOA was listed as a substance of very high concern (SVHC) on June 20, 2013 due to its persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic substances (PBT) properties. In 2014, Germany and Norway proposed to ban the manufacture of PFOA, its salts and PFOA-related substances. , placed on the market and restricted in use. After review by the ECHA Risk Assessment Committee (RAC), Socio-Economic Analysis Committee (SEAC) and the resolution of the European Commission, new restrictions on PFOA, its salts and PFOA-related substances were announced on June 13, 2017.

2017-09-27

Survey on Green Consumption Attitudes of China's Middle Class

A survey on green consumption attitudes among China's middle class, conducted by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, revealed that 71% of respondents reported an increase in green consumption over the past year, particularly for "green products that offer health and safety guarantees," driven by health concerns, improved purchasing convenience, and increased market supply. 73% of respondents agreed with the preference for "products that offer health and safety guarantees," and 59% cited "more convenient purchasing channels" as a contributing factor to their increased green product consumption. Consumer focus groups revealed that while consumers were aware of the benefits of green foods several years ago, limited access and high prices made them a rare treat. However, the widespread adoption of online fresh food consumption in recent years has made green foods, especially organic fruits and vegetables and imported meats, more accessible. Websites connect directly with local farmers, leading to lower prices and frequent promotional activities. Furthermore, the convenience of online platforms facilitates shopping. During the focus groups, some respondents indicated they had become accustomed to buying fresh food online, with some even regularly ordering organic vegetables. A survey shows that 71% of respondents said their green consumption had increased in the past year compared to previous years, with a higher proportion of higher-income households also reporting increased green consumption. This may be due to serious food safety issues in China years ago, coupled with increased incomes, leading consumers to pay more attention to quality of life and safety. Therefore, the survey shows that although 41%...

2017-09-27

The Global Impact of China's Rejection of Foreign Waste

The Global Impact of China's Ban on Imported Waste: China's massive waste management industry forms the basis of waste recycling systems in most countries worldwide. Therefore, the announcement of China's strict ban on imported waste sent shockwaves through the global recycling industry. China will ban the import of various solid wastes by the end of this year (2017). In a document submitted to the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Chinese government stated that it had discovered "large amounts of highly polluting waste and hazardous waste" mixed in with imported waste, and therefore will ban the import of specific types of waste by the end of this year, including certain types of waste plastics, unsorted waste paper, waste textile materials, and vanadium slag. Mainland China and Hong Kong import large quantities of waste from around the world. According to data from the United Nations Comtrade database, in 2015, more than 70% of the world's waste plastics and 37% of waste paper were exported to China. European countries and the United States are the main sources of these wastes. China's quality requirements for imported waste were previously not stringent. According to statistics from the trade group Plastics Europe, China's plastic production accounted for 15% of the world's total in 2009, increasing to 28% in 2016. However, due to the lack of a mature plastic recycling industry in China, it has to rely on importing recycled waste from other countries. This economic model is also favored by waste-exporting countries, as they can conveniently use containers previously used for importing finished products to transport the waste for recycling back to their manufacturing bases.

2017-09-27

Can a circular economy improve the global water crisis?

Can the Circular Economy Alleviate the Global Water Crisis? Since 1991, the International Institute for Water Research in Stockholm has hosted World Water Week annually in Stockholm, providing a platform for exchange among academics, industry, politicians, and citizens. With the continued increase in the global population, human activities are rapidly escalating the demand for water resources. Therefore, the World Economic Forum (WEF) warns that water scarcity will be the greatest risk facing humanity in the next decade. However, given the current trend of countries promoting the circular economy, can humanity mitigate the water crisis? This year's (August 27, 2017 – September 1, 2017) World Water Week theme was "Water and Waste – Reduction and Reuse." A key focus of the forum was the integration of systematic planning and management into the global water use industry while promoting the circular economy. The circular economy emphasizes the reuse and recycling of materials, while reducing waste generation. More broadly, the principle of the circular economy is to improve the quality of life for the public and protect the most precious natural resources, while providing more employment opportunities in local communities. Take the Del Monte food group as an example; its most famous product is canned pineapple. Through a design and planning collaboration with Arup, they use anaerobic reactors to centrally treat wastewater from washing pineapples and production line wastewater into a relatively safe environment.

2017-09-27

Construction waste transformed into roadbed: Beijing's first road cross-section regeneration structure.

Beijing's First Road Cross-Section Recycling Structure Created Using Construction Waste as Roadbed. The Fangshan Branch of the Beijing Municipal Commission of Transport's Road Administration Bureau announced today (9th) that the major overhaul project of Gu Ba Road in the district has for the first time utilized construction waste and waste asphalt to create a road cross-section recycling structure. This effectively addresses the application of waste materials, saves energy, and reduces emissions. Gu Ba Road starts at Gu Ce Village and is an important road for residents along the route. It also connects important production enterprises such as Yanhua Chemical Plant, Chemical Plant No. 4, and China Railway Fangshan Bridge Plant. Running from south to north, it runs through the G5 Beijing-Kunming Expressway, Yanzhou Road, Jingzhou Road, and Dajian Road, making it an important north-south longitudinal road in central Fangshan District. Construction workers explained that the road surface uses hot recycled asphalt concrete; the base layer is emulsified asphalt cold recycled asphalt concrete; and the base layer is made of environmentally friendly materials such as recycled construction waste aggregate inorganic mixture. Among these technologies, recycled asphalt accounts for 25% of the total materials in hot-recycled asphalt concrete, 90% in emulsified asphalt cold-recycled asphalt concrete, and 80% in the recycled brick-concrete base course. Xu Shifa, a professor at the School of Civil and Transportation Engineering, Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture, stated that the application of these three technologies greatly improves the utilization rate of waste materials, increasing environmental protection while ensuring the road's service life remains unchanged. (Source: Environmental Information Center, August 9, 2017)

2017-09-27

The European Commission extends the application period of environmental labels for five categories of products including shoes and computers

The EU's Official Journal published European Commission (EC) Resolution 2015/2056, which extended the application period of environmental labels for certain types of products until the end of 2016. In other words, televisions, shoes and furniture that meet relevant environmental standards can continue to benefit from environmental labels in the next year. The reason for extending the application period is to allow EU consumers to distinguish environmentally friendly products. Taiwanese companies with related products can participate in the environmental labeling program to promote a positive image of their products to EU consumers. Environmental labeling is a voluntary scheme that was implemented in 1992 and revised in 2010. The scheme sets out some basic rules for the awarding of environmental seals. Products with less impact on the environment (i.e. environmentally friendly products) can be awarded an environmental label. Regulation 66/2010 sets out the framework for an environmental labeling scheme and does not aim to differentiate between EU-made and foreign-made products. This framework regulation sets environmental standards applicable to different product categories based on the energy usage during the product life cycle. Such products must meet specific environmental standards in order to be awarded an environmental label. European Commission resolutions contain environmental guidelines for each product category. The new Resolution No. 2015/2056 extends the validity period of environmental protection labels for five product categories until December 31, 2016. The five product categories are as follows: Televisions – Decision 2009/300/EC: The product category “television” includes electronic devices powered by mains power

2016-10-06

The US CPSC excludes testing requirements for untreated wood in toys.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has announced its final decision regarding the Toy Safety Directive, removing the requirement for heavy metal testing reports on unprocessed or unpainted wood in toys. This amendment is based on the premise that unprocessed or unpainted tree trunks are unlikely to contain heavy metals exceeding the limits set in the Toy Safety Directive's Consumer Safety Specification ASTM F963-11. Therefore, the decision removes the requirement for mandatory third-party certified testing reports on heavy metal content in unprocessed or unpainted wood toys. The aforementioned Consumer Safety Specification stipulates that toys that can be sucked, licked, or ingested must meet eight heavy metal solubility limits for their surface coatings and accessible substrates. Manufacturers are required to obtain conformity certificates from third-party certified bodies. The permissible solubility limits for heavy metals in the Toy Safety Directive's Consumer Safety Specification are as follows: 1. Antimony

2016-10-06

Bill Gates and Total invested $14 million in research and development of green plastics technology.

Microsoft founder Bill Gates and French energy giant Total have jointly invested $14 million to help develop cheaper bioplastics and bioenergy technologies. Renmatrix is ​​developing a green technology called Platrose, which can convert biowaste into cellulose and produce chemical compounds and fuels that can replace petrochemical feedstocks. This technology uses supercritical water instead of enzymes, solvents, or acids to achieve cost savings. Renmatrix's technology won the Presidential Award for Green Chemistry in 2015. Renmatrix stated that Gates' investment will be used to expand the development of Platrose technology in the United States, Canada, and India, and to enhance the application of bioplastics in downstream products. Gates pointed out that in order to more effectively address the problems caused by climate change, we must produce competitively priced clean energy or bioenergy; and Renmatrix's technology is precisely an innovative way to achieve this goal. Source: Environmental Leader (2016-09-28) (Compiled by PIDC)

2016-10-06

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization and China join hands to promote sustainable industrial development

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and China's Ministry of Environmental Protection officially established a strategic partnership last month to jointly promote sustainable environmental protection and industrial development. UNIDO and Chinese Minister of Environmental Protection Chen Jining signed a memorandum of understanding this month. The two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation on issues such as environmental policy support, institutional framework development, implementation of multilateral environmental agreements, cleaner production, and pollution prevention. This bilateral cooperation also focuses on green design and ecoculture, including sustainable urban development, industrial waste and recycled resource utilization, industrial emissions control and air quality management, bilateral and multilateral cooperation, and the implementation of inclusive sustainable industrial development and the transfer and dissemination of environmentally friendly technologies. Other cooperative projects include assisting in the training of green professionals and the development of corporate green competitiveness in China and other developing countries, as well as providing information exchange platforms, experience sharing, and technology replication and transfer for South-South and triangular cooperation. Source: Eco-Business (December 10, 2015) (Compiled by PIDC)

2016-10-06
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