August 2020

On July 16, 2020, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) published notice of a proposed Made in USA Labeling Rule. The FTC is seeking comments related to “Made in USA” and other U.S. Origin claims on product labels (“MUSA claims:”). The public comment period ends on September 14, 2020.

The FTC has been enforcing the MUSA policy pursuant to the Enforcement Policy Statement on U.S. Origin Claims (“Policy Statement”). This policy requires that a marketer making an unqualified claim for its product should, at the time of the representation, have a reasonable basis for asserting that “all or virtually all” of the product is made in the United States.

The FTC is now proposing a MUSA Labeling Rule to prevent unfair or deceptive acts or practices relating to MUSA labeling. The proposed rule tracks the FTC’s previous MUSA Decisions and Orders by prohibiting marketers from including unqualified MUSA claims on labels unless:

1. Final assembly or processing of the product occurs in the United States

2. All significant processing that goes into the product occurs in the United States, and

3. All or virtually all ingredients or components of the product are made and sourced in the United States. The proposed rule also covers labels making unqualified MUSA claims appearing in mail order catalogs or mail order advertising.

The FTC proposes the Made in USA Labeling Rule for two primary reasons: to strengthen its enforcement program and make it easier for businesses to understand and comply with the law. Specifically, by codifying the existing standards applicable to MUSA claims in a rule as authorized by Congress, the FTC will be able to provide more certainty to marketers about the standard for making unqualified claims on product labels. In addition, enactment of the NPRM will enhance deterrence by authorizing civil penalties against those making unlawful MUSA claims on product labels. The MUSA rule would be listed under 16 CFR Part 323.

On July 27, 2020, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a final significant use rule (SNUR) for long-chain perfluoroalkyl carboxylate (LCPFAC) and perfluoroalkyl sulfonate chemical substances. This is under citation, 85 Fed. Reg. 45109.  The final rule will be effective on September 25, 2020.

The EPA first proposed a SNUR for LCPFAC and perfluoroalkyl sulfonate chemical substances in 2015. On March 3, 2020, the EPA issued a proposed supplemental SNUR for LCPFAC chemical substances that would invalidate the exemption for persons who import a subset of LCPFAC chemical substances as part of surface coatings on articles under 85 Fed. Reg. 12479.

The final SNUR will require persons to notify the EPA at least 90 days before commencing:

• The manufacturing (including importing) or processing of a subset of LCPFAC chemical substances for any use that was not ongoing after December 31, 2015;

• The manufacturing (including importing) or processing of all other LCPFAC chemical substances for which there were no ongoing uses as of January 21, 2015 (the date of the original proposed SNUR);

• The import of a subset of LCPFAC chemicals as part of a surface coating on articles; and

• The import of perfluoroalkyl sulfonate chemical substances as a part of carpets.

The final SNUR will preclude the commencement of such manufacturing and processing until the EPA has conducted a review of the notice, made an appropriate determination on the notice, and taken such actions as required in association with that determination.

On July 28, 2020, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection published Chapter 890 on Designation of PFOS and Its Salts as Priority Chemicals. It requires reporting for certain children’s products that contain Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid (“PFOS”) or its salt. The rule takes effect immediately.

Manufacturers or distributors of products that contain intentionally added amounts of PFOS or its salts, must report to the state’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) the amount and function of PFOS or its salts in reported products, among other information. This requirement applies to the products listed below.

• Childcare articles;

• Clothing;

• Footwear;

• Sleepwear;

• Toys;

• Cookware, tableware, reusable food and beverage containers;

• Cosmetics and personal care products;

• Craft supplies;

• Electronic devices; and

• Household furniture and furnishings.

Products in the categories below are exempt:

• Used products;

• Food and beverage packaging;

• Transportation (motor vehicles or watercraft or their component parts).

The deadline for reporting children’s products containing PFOS or its salts will be January 24, 2021 (no later than 180 days after the effective date), or 30 days after the sale commences if the products start to be sold after that date. A regulated entity may request a waiver of the reporting requirements for reasons set forth in Department Rule 06-096 C.M.R. ch. 880 §5(C).

On July 20, 2020, Health Canada published a new version of Method F02 Flammability of Toys (Dolls, Plush toys, and Soft Toys). The new test method was effective on the date of issuance.

Comparing to previous version, there is no technical change, but there are a few editorial changes. Below is a comparison table of both versions of standard.

Am 26. Juni 2020 veröffentlichte das dänische Ministerium für Umwelt und Ernährung die Durchführungsverordnung BEK Nr. 947 vom 20/06/2020 über das Verbot von Phthalaten in Spielzeug und Artikeln für Kleinkinder, die 0,05 Massenprozent nicht überschreiten. Die Durchführungsverordnung trat am 1. Juli 2020 in Kraft. Die vorhergehende Durchführungsverordnung Nr. 855 vom 5. September 2009 wird aufgehoben.

Die Definitionen in der neuen Verordnung lauten wie folgt:

• Spielzeug ist ausschließlich oder teilweise dazu bestimmt, von Kindern im Alter von 0-3 Jahren (0-36 Monaten) zum Spielen verwendet zu werden.

• Artikel für Kleinkinder sind alle Produkte, die dazu bestimmt sind oder von denen erwartet werden kann, dass sie von Kindern im Alter von 0-3 Jahren (0-36 Monaten) in den Mund genommen werden, insbesondere Schnuller, Lätzchen, Schmuck, Badezubehör usw.

• Phthalate sind Ester der o-Phthalsäure.

Die Durchführungsverordnung bezieht sich nicht auf Phthalate, die durch die folgenden Verordnungen eingeschränkt sind:

• Anhang II der Durchführungsverordnung über Sicherheitsanforderungen für Spielzeugprodukte enthält besondere Sicherheitsanforderungen.

• Eintrag 51 und 52 in Anhang XVII der REACH-Verordnung (EG) Nr. 1907/2006 der EU.

Die Durchführungsverordnung bezieht sich nicht auf Artikel für Kleinkinder, die dazu bestimmt sind, mit Lebensmitteln in Berührung zu kommen.

Wenn in Australien Gefahren in Verbraucherprodukten festgestellt werden, werden diese zurückgerufen und in der täglich aktualisierten Datenbank für Rückrufe und Sicherheitswarnungen auf der Website der Australian Competition & Consumer Commission veröffentlicht. Die australischen Rückrufe vom 3. Dezember 2019 bis zum 30. Juli 2020 sind im Folgenden zusammengefasst:

*Andere Gefahren sind Verbrennungsgefahr, chemische Gefahr, Gefahr der Schädigung des Sehvermögens, Ertrinkungsgefahr, Einklemmungsgefahr, Sturzgefahr, Gesundheitsrisiko mit einer Häufigkeit von weniger als 7.

^Andere Kategorien umfassen Kosmetika, Brillen, Materialien mit Lebensmittelkontakt, elektrische Haushaltsgeräte (Haartrockner, Bügeleisen usw.), persönliche Schutzausrüstung, Schuhe, Beleuchtungsgeräte und Schmuck mit einer Häufigkeit von weniger als 4.

Für eine vollständige Liste klicken Sie hier