July 22, 2009
Toy/Children's Products
Food/Drug
Standards Updates
Private Label/Store Brand
Responsible Sourcing
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Specialized Technology Resources, Inc.
Raising the world’s expectation of product quality, safety and supply chain responsibility
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Toy/Children's Products
• CPSC Denies Request for Exclusion of Crystal and Glass Beads from Lead Content Limits
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has denied a request by the Fashion Jewelry Trade Association (FJTA) to exclude crystal and glass beads contained in children’s jewelry and other products from the lead content limits established by the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA). Read more.
• Total Number of Toys Recalled Decreases Significantly in 2009
The Toy Industry Association reported that toy recalls have declined significantly in 2009, and credited the enhanced standards and testing protocols of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act for the decrease.
Read more.
• U.S. Companies Fined for Lead Violations
Nine U.S. companies will pay combined civil penalties in excess of $500,000 in the settlement of claims made by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) over violations by these companies of the federal lead paint ban.
Read more.
• Congressional Hearing Planned for CPSIA
The House Energy and Commerce Committee is planning an imminent review of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA), according to the Toy Industry Association (TIA). The review was prompted by the TIA’s ongoing request that Congress address the unintended and harmful effects caused by CPSIA’s implementation. Read more.
• Susan DeRagon Presents Toy Safety Seminars in China
Susan DeRagon, Associate Director of Toys & Premiums at STR, just completed a series of seminars in China, sponsored by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, on toy safety and quality assurance testing. Read more.
Food/Drug
• Commissioner Hamburg Reorganizes FDA
FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg, M.D., recently merged the budget and policy functions to streamline the agency’s budget processes. Hamburg also announced that Michael Taylor, J.D., an experienced former FDA leader, would return to serve as her senior advisor. Read more.
• Tough New Standards to Improve Food Safety Announced by Obama Administration
The Food Safety Working Group recently announced plans to improve the safety of the U.S. food supply, including a better tracking system for contaminated products, and tough new standards to reduce incidences of salmonella and E. coli contamination. Read more.
• UK Food Standards Agency Publishes New Guide for Food Packaging
The UK Food Standards Agency has published a new guide aimed at businesses involved in food packaging and at those bodies that enforce the rules governing such businesses.
Read more.
• Food Safety Enhancement Act To Affect Thousands of Food Facilities
The Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009, which is expected to be enacted this summer and will significantly impact thousands of food facilities in the U.S. and abroad, will give the FDA expanded authority and resources to better ensure a safe food supply.
Read more.
Join STR for a complimentary webinar on Understanding FDA Amendments Act of 2007 and Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009 on August 5, 2009. Register.
• Codex Issues New Standards on Bacteria & Chemicals for Food Manufacturers
The Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) has adopted over 30 new international standards, codes of practice and guidelines to improve worldwide food safety and protect the health of consumers. Read more.
• FDA To Offer Three Public Workshops on Reportable Food Registry
The FDA will offer three public workshops in July and August to explain the purpose of the Reportable Food Registry, how it will work, and the requirements for submitting a report.
Read more.
Standards Updates
• Update on ASTM D3359 - Measuring Adhesion by Tape Test
ASTM D3359-09 was revised in June 2009 and will replace the previous edition ASTM D3359-08. ASTM D3359 is a commonly used method for assessing the adhesion of coating films to metallic substrates by applying and removing pressure-sensitive tape over cuts made in the film. Read more.
• Updates for Furniture Test Standards (1) – ASTM F2057-09
The ASTM Subcommittee F15.42, responsible for furniture safety, has recently revised and updated the Safety Specification for Chests, Door Chests, and Dressers to ASTM F2057-09.
Read more.
• Updates for Furniture Test Standards (2) – EN 581-2:2009
The European pre-standard ENV 581-2:2000, which had been used over nine years for evaluation of the safety and performance requirements for outdoor seating, was revised and approved by the Technical Committee CEN/TC 207 "Furniture" into an official European Standard EN 581-2:2009.
Read more.
Private Label/Store Brand
• Demand for Private Label Products Provides Opportunity for Retailers
As consumers continue to search for value, retailers have an opportunity to increase market share and grow their private label brands, according to a recently released report. Read more.
Responsible Sourcing
• Forum Empresa Researching the State of CSR in the Americas
The Forum Empresa Network, an American alliance of CSR-based business organizations, is conducting a survey on the state of CSR and the perception of business executives on corporate government, the environment, and working with communities, employees, and consumers. The survey is available online through July 25, 2009 and the results will be publicized in December.
Read more.
• Protests by Bangladeshi Garment Factory Workers Escalate
Protesting recent layoffs and demanding higher wages, an estimated 50,000 garment factory workers took part in riots, vandalizing and setting fire to up to 50 factories and storehouses in the capital city of Dhaka. Read more.
• Sustainability Reporting Increases Significantly, According to Global Reporting Initiative
More than 1,000 companies and other organizations worldwide publicly disclosed their economic, environmental, and social performance against a range of key sustainability indicators in 2008. This represents a 46 percent increase from the previous year and the highest number ever recorded by Global Reporting Initiative.
Read more.
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