Health Canada will soon officially declare Bisphenol A (BPA) a toxic substance harmful to human health. Canada will become the first country in the world to formally recognize BPA as harmful to humans. BPA is an organic compound commonly used in consumer products, found in plastic baby products (such as the inner lining of baby bottles and formula cans), children's toys, kettles, and microwaveable food containers. Even though BPA is advertised as heat-resistant, it may release toxins when exposed to temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Celsius. It is worth noting that plastic baby bottles are more likely to release toxic substances after prolonged use or when cleaned with strong acid or alkali detergents. In August 2007, 38 American scientists jointly issued a statement on the reproductive toxicology website, warning the public about the dangers of BPA. Furthermore, the National Toxicology Program of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) found through mouse experiments that BPA exposure may lead to breast cancer, prostate cancer, urinary tract problems, precocious puberty in girls, and behavioral changes. This report also prompted a reversal in the attitude of the US government, which had previously considered BPA quite safe. However, the report still calls for further in-depth research, and its final report will be released this summer. Should BPA be regulated? The Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) has included it on its watch list for careful evaluation. The EPA stated that BPA can enter drinking water sources through various routes. Therefore, in addition to including BPA in the candidate list of drinking water contaminants and establishing a sampling mechanism, it has also included BPA in its watch list of toxic chemical substances. Future monitoring will continue in accordance with international standards.

The Global Automotive Substances Declaration List (GADSL), updated on January 18, 2008, lists 111 highly toxic chemical substances that are prohibited or require declaration. The listed substances can also serve as a reference for the automotive industry in complying with the EU's new REACH regulations. The following is a translation of the original text of the GADSL, excerpted in the appendix: The main objectives of automotive product development include continuous quality improvement, enhanced safety, and reducing the negative environmental impact of vehicles throughout their lifecycle. Optimizing customer value in the most efficient and economical way can achieve these objectives. The automotive manufacturing chain uses a large amount of construction, operation, and processing materials; the selection and appropriate use of these materials have a significant impact on improving product quality, enhancing safety, and reducing environmental harm. Therefore, automakers, suppliers at all levels, and material suppliers in the global automotive supply chain have formed the Global Automotive Stakeholder Group (GASG) to conduct continuous dialogue and information exchange. Early dialogue and communication within the supply chain will help ensure compliance with current and future regulations, while also taking consumer demands into account to ensure product sustainability. The Global Automotive Stakeholder Group (GASG) comprises three regions globally: the Americas, Europe, and the Americas.

The assessment report on newly added hazardous substances under the EU RoHS Directive is expected to be released in mid-April. In late February 2008, Oko-Institut issued a public consultation regarding 46 categories of chemical substances that might be added to the EU RoHS Directive. These 46 substances are widely used in electronic and electrical products and other consumer products. The inclusion of new hazardous substances under consideration is based on declarations, existing research data, XRF analysis reports, and other relevant information provided by electronic and electrical manufacturers/suppliers. Oko-Institut also publicly solicited information on the following questions: 1. Should other chemical substances be included in the list of hazardous substances used in electronic and electrical products? 2. In which components (e.g., transistors, capacitors, resistors, printed circuit boards) are the listed hazardous substances used, and what are their concentration ranges? 3. Besides the EU risk assessment report, are there any other risk assessment reports on the hazardous substances in the list? 4. Are there any possible alternatives to the hazardous substances in the list? What are their advantages and disadvantages? The Oko-Institut is currently assessing the risks to human and environmental health posed by hazardous substances used in electronic and electrical products. In addition to listing highly hazardous substances, it will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of possible alternatives. The assessment report is expected to be released in mid-April of this year (2008). These 46 categories of substances may become new EU risk assessment reports in the future.

Chemical Bans on Toy Safety Requirements - How Industry Management Systems Should Respond to Customer and Latest Regulations on Hazardous Substances - From January 16, 2007, the EU restricted the addition of phthalates in toy manufacturing. Currently, most toys are made of plastic, and phthalates are widely used in plastic toys. This new EU regulation undoubtedly poses a serious challenge to China's toy export industry. Furthermore, on November 20, 2007, the ATAV committee of the German Safety Technology Certification Center (ZLS) Central Experience Exchange Office (ZEK) passed a resolution requiring the mandatory inclusion of PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) testing in GS mark certification. This regulation came into effect on April 1, 2008. This is even in line with the new REACH EU policy requirements for raw materials.

Greenpeace released the seventh edition of its "Guide to Greener Electronics." Updated every three months since its first edition in August 2006, the latest seventh edition was released on March 18, 2008. This edition evaluated computers, mobile phones, televisions, and game consoles sold by 18 well-known manufacturers. The evaluation focused on: 1. The elimination of harmful chemicals in the products. 2. The implementation of post-use recycling programs. Out of a maximum score of 10, Samsung of South Korea, which has consistently performed well, and Toshiba of Japan, which has shown significant and continuous improvement, tied for first place with 7.7 points. Nokia, Sony, Dell, and Lenovo all received 7.3 points, tying for second place. The complete assessment score can be downloaded for free from the Greenpeace official website: http://www.greenpeace.org/. Source: http://www.greenpeace.org/international/campaigns/toxics/electronics/how-the-companies-line-up

The Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection (BSMI) has strengthened its testing of plasticizers in plastic toys. In July 2007, the BSMI purchased a large quantity of plastic toys from various channels for testing. The results showed that approximately 45% of the toys had excessive levels of plasticizers. Therefore, on October 24, 2007, the BSMI announced a revised version of the CNS4797 "Toy Safety" national standard, stipulating that the total content of the following six phthalate plasticizers and their mixtures must not exceed 0.1% by weight: Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), Dibutyl phthalate (DBP), Butyl butyl phthalate (BBP), Diisononyl phthalate (DINP), Diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP), and Di-n-octyl phthalate (DNOP). This regulation took effect on July 1, 2008. Safety requirements for plasticizers in toys and infant products must comply with CNS 15138 "Test Method for Phthalate Plasticizers in Plastic Toys". All imported or domestically produced toys must pass inspection and bear a product inspection mark and Chinese labeling. Toys containing plasticizers must have a warning label in Chinese stating "WARNING: This toy contains plasticizers. Do not suck on it as it may be harmful to your health," to remind consumers. Product Taiwan (CNS 4797) EU (2005/84/EC) Toys and infant products for children under 14 years old

The "Electronic Waste Recycling Law" passed by California AB48 & AB218 in 2003 stipulates that "specific electronic equipment" that does not meet the four heavy metal contents in the EU RoHS directive and is prohibited from being sold in the EU (diagonal measurement display screen ≧4 inches electronic devices) and are prohibited from sale in California. On December 4, 2006, California House of Representatives member Lori Saldana proposed the AB 48 bill to expand the scope of control of "specific electronic equipment" to consumer electronics products that are consistent with the EU RoHS directive. Including: equipment that must operate on electric current or electromagnetic field, or equipment that generates, converts, or measures electric current or electromagnetic field; equipment defined in Article 2 of the EU 2002/96/EC (WEEE) directive; AC power less than 1,000 volts and DC power less than 1,500 volts Equipment; and equipment defined in Article 2.1 of the EU RoHS Directive. The AB 48 bill stipulates that electronic equipment that cannot be sold in the European Union is also prohibited from being sold in California. This bill passed the third reading of the House of Representatives on September 11, 2007, and passed Assembly Concurrence on September 12, 2007. However, it was vetoed by the California governor on October 13, 2007, on the grounds that it would be difficult to implement and would bring bad results. In early 2008, California House of Representatives Congressman Joe Simitian proposed AB218, a bill with similar restrictions as AB48. This new bill will be introduced in early April

The Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA), the JEDEC Solid State Technology Association (JEDEC), and the Japan Green Sourcing Survey Standardization Association (JGPSSI) have jointly revised the Joint Industry Guide (JIG-101) to provide information on prohibited substances in electronic products/components, applicable to all manufacturers in the supply chain. The revised Joint Industry Guide for Material Composition Declaration for Electronics Products (JIG-101-A) is a standardized list of prohibited substances. When suppliers provide finished products to electronics and electrical product manufacturers containing prohibited substances from this list, they must also provide information on these prohibited substances. This document helps companies at any stage of the supply chain, from raw materials to finished products such as computers, televisions, and mobile phones. JIG-101 was published in April 2005. Revision A (JIG-101-A) primarily updates information on regulated substances and includes minor modifications for ease of use. For example: The lead content of the wire sheath must be less than 300 ppm (California Proposition 65); RoHS 4 heavy metals (additional legislation – California laws SB20 and SB50); Newly added prohibitions.

SONY於2008年3月3日公佈第七版SS-00259，並於2008年4月1日起生效。第七版SS-00259中共列出22類管理物質，其中全氟辛烷磺酸及其鹽(PFOS)以及特定苯并三氮唑(Specific Benzotriazole )為新增項目。 重金屬：Cd, Pb, Hg, Cr6+有機氯化合物: PCB, PCN, PCT, SCCP, Others有機溴化合物:　PBB, PBDE, Others有機錫化合物：TBT, TPT石棉特定偶氮化合物甲醛聚氯乙烯（PVC）氧化鈹、鈹青銅特定鄰苯二甲酸鹽（7種)氫氟碳化合物 (HFC)、全氟化碳 (PFC)全氟辛烷磺酸及其鹽 (PFOS)特定苯并三氮唑自2008年4月1日起，針對以下4類管理物質禁止供貨：1氧化鈹 (Beryllium oxide)2 氫氟碳化合物 (HFC)、全氟化碳 (PFC)3全氟辛烷磺酸及其鹽 (PFOS)4特定苯并三氮唑 (Specific Benzotriazole )物質名稱對象鎘 (Cd)鎘含量≥電池總重量20ppm的電池鎘含量≥電池總重量20ppm的電池組 鉛 (Pb)錳電池和鹼錳電池：鉛含量≥電池總重

The US law firm White & Case has published a Q&A document on the EU's REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) regulation, which will come into effect on June 1, 2007. Titled "Europe’s New Chemicals Legislation Has Worldwide REACH," the document covers many issues of concern to the electronics industry, such as: What types of chemicals are covered by REACH? And who is responsible for compliance? The document also discusses the primary obligations, registration requirements, and deadlines for pre-registration under REACH. A summary of the REACH Q&A is as follows: Q1. Does REACH apply to all chemicals? A1. This regulation applies to manufacturers and importers of all chemical substances used within the EU, whose raw materials or finished products exceed one metric tonne per year, regardless of whether these substances are defined as hazardous. Q2. Who is responsible for compliance with REACH? A2.