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.

El 26 de junio de 2020, el Ministerio danés de Medio Ambiente y Alimentación publicó la Orden Ejecutiva BEK no. 947 de 20/06/2020 relativa a la prohibición de ftalatos en juguetes y artículos para niños pequeños que no superen el 0,05% en masa. La Orden Ejecutiva entró en vigor el 1 de julio de 2020. La Orden Ejecutiva precedente núm. 855 de 5 de septiembre de 2009.

Las definiciones de la nueva Orden son las siguientes:

• Los juguetes están exclusiva o parcialmente diseñados o destinados a ser utilizados por niños de 0 a 3 años (0 a 36 meses) durante el juego.

• Los artículos para niños pequeños son todos los productos destinados a ser introducidos en la boca de niños de 0 a 3 años (0 a 36 meses) o que normalmente se espera que lo hagan, incluidos, en particular, chupetes, baberos, joyas, artículos de baño, etc.

• Los ftalatos son ésteres del ácido oftálico.

La Orden Ejecutiva no cubre los ftalatos que están restringidos por las siguientes normativas:

• Anexo II de la Orden ejecutiva sobre los requisitos de seguridad de los productos de juguetería, relativo a los requisitos especiales de seguridad.

• Entradas 51 y 52 del anexo XVII del Reglamento REACH (CE) nº 1907/2006 de la UE.

La orden ejecutiva no cubre los artículos para niños pequeños destinados a entrar en contacto con alimentos.

En Australia, cuando se identifican peligros en los productos de consumo, se retiran del mercado y se publican en la base de datos de retiradas y alertas de seguridad en el sitio web de la Comisión Australiana de Competencia y Consumo, que se actualiza diariamente. A continuación se resumen las retiradas de Australia del 3 de diciembre de 2019 al 30 de julio de 2020:

*Otros Peligros incluyen Peligro de Quemadura, Peligro Químico, Peligro de Daño a la Vista, Peligro de Ahogamiento, Peligro de Atrapamiento, Peligro de Caída,Peligro de Riesgo para la Salud con una frecuencia inferior a 7.

^Otras categorías incluyen cosméticos, gafas, material en contacto con alimentos, electrodomésticos (secador de pelo, plancha, etc.), equipos de protección personal, calzado, equipos de iluminación y joyería con una frecuencia inferior a 4.

Para consultar la lista completa, pulse aquí