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09/11/09 EU Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC Will Come Into Force on 29 December 2009

The newly revised Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC will come into force on 29 December 2009 and will replace the current definitive Machinery Directive 98/37/EC without a transition period. Manufacturers that currently have EC type-examination certificates issued under the existing Directive need to be aware that the certificates will not be valid after this date. So, it is essential that companies start preparing for these changes. The revised Directive will impact companies whether they build machines or partly assembled machines, create final assembled machinery, or import machines for use in the European Economic Area. In addition, under the Machinery Directive a number of new standards have been published.

07/10/09 NEWSBYTE: EC Releases Corrigenda for Ecodesign Requirements for Household Refrigerating Appliances

On 22 July 2009, the European Commission published a Corrigendum of the Commission Regulation (EC) No 643/2009 implementing Directive 2005/32/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to Ecodesign requirements for household refrigerating appliances.

07/10/09 Ecodesign Requirements Adopted for Non-Directional Household Lamps

On 19 September 2009, the European Commission (EC) adopted Regulation 859/2009 which amends Regulation No 244/2009 with regards to the Ecodesign requirements on ultraviolet radiation of non-directional household lamps. The regulation applies as of 1 September 2009. Details of the modifications are in the following table.

07/10/09 REACH - A further 12 substances identified as potential SVHC's

On 1 September 2009, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) invited interested parties for a consultation to identify further potential candidates for Designation as Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) under REACH (1907/2006). All parties were welcome to give their comments on the 15 substances listed which will then be considered when deciding whether the substances will be added to the actual Candidate List. This consultation period will end on 15 October 2009.

09/09/09 REACH - Latest Change to Annexe XV and XVII

On 26 June 2009 the European Chemical Agency (ECHA) updated and amended information in Annex XV of REACH. Annex XV provides guidance on how to prepare dossiers that among others are to propose a substance for the candidate list. Substances on the candidate list may become SVHC (substances of very high concern). In addition, information in Annex XVII was updated and published on 26 June 2009. Annex XVII is replacing EU Directive 76/769/EEC on the approximation flaws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member states relating to restrictions on the marketing and use of certain dangerous substances and preparations/mixtures since 1 June 2009. Details on both Annex changes can be found below.

09/09/09 Newsbyte-Additional EuP Implementing Measures Published

Additional Implementing Measures were published in July under Directive 2005/32/EC on the Ecodesign of Energy-using Products (EuP). While the Directive does not directly introduce binding requirements for specific products, it does define conditions and criteria for setting, through subsequent implementing measures, requirements regarding environmentally relevant product characteristics.

22/07/09 NEWSBYTE-EU Toy Safety Directive (Directive 2009/48/EC)

On 18 December 2008, the European Parliament adopted the revised European Directive relative to the safety of toys. This was published in the EU Official Journal on the 30th June 2009. The revised Toy Safety Directive will come into force on the 20th July 2009, although there are transition periods as follows: All requirements except for the chemical requirements: 20th July 2011, Chemical requirements: 20th July 2013

22/07/09 New Exemptions for the RoHS directive (2002/95/EC) on use of hazardous substances

RoHS

The European Commission published two decisions in June 2009 to amend and extend the list of exemptions for RoHS (2002/95/EC). Under decision 2009/428/EC the exemption for Lead in RIG Faraday rotators is only granted until December 2009. Decision 2009/443/EC outlines six new exemptions also now granted.

30/06/09 NEWSBYTE-EU Commission Releases Recent RAPEX Stats on Unsafe Consumer Products

The Commission of the European Union (EU) has released statistics for April 2009 on notifications of unsafe consumer products (including electrical and electronic products) that have been processed through the EU’s rapid information system (RAPEX). For the month, the Commission reported 151 notifications of unsafe products, a 14% increase over the 133 notifications received in April 2008. Of these, 129 notifications (85%) were identified as posing a ‘serious risk’ to consumers. Of the 151 notifications, 9% were related to electrical appliances, with another 2% related to lighting equipment, and 1% each for machinery and hand tools.

30/06/09 NEWSBYTE-New EU Toy Directive Nears Approval

The Council of the European Union (EU) has voted to approve a draft directive on the safety of toys that will soon replace the EU’s current Toy Directive, 88/378/EEC. Meeting in May, the Council reportedly approved without discussion the draft directive first proposed by the European Commission in January 2008. The final step in the process of adopting the new directive is publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

17/06/09 EU Strengthens the Restriction on the Use of Certain Organotin Compounds

On May 28, 2009, the European Union adopted a Commission Decision (2009/425/EC) that amends Directive 76/769/EEC as regards the marketing and use of organotin compounds. These compounds have biocidal properties and are used in a broad range of consumer goods. Organotin compounds can have a cumulative adverse health effect, namely immunotoxicity via the thymus gland. The new restrictions are imposed to protect consumers from exposure to these compounds through consumer articles.

17/06/09 NEWSBYTE- EU Commission Releases Updated Standards List for the Low Voltage Directive

The Commission of the European Union (EU) has published an updated list of standards that can be used to demonstrate conformity with the essential requirements of its directive relating to electrical equipment designed for use within certain voltage limits (2006/95/EC).

17/06/09 NEWSBYTE-EU Commission Revises Standards List For the EMC Directive

The Commission of the European Union (EU) has published an updated list of standards that can be used to demonstrate conformity with the essential requirements of the EU’s directive on electromagnetic compatibility (also known as the EMC Directive, 2004/108/EC).

27/05/09 EuP - 5th Ecodesign Implementing Measure Published

On 6 April 2009, the European Commission adopted the fifth implementing measure of the EuP Directive for reducing energy consumption of external power supplies. The aim of this measure is to reduce energy consumption by more than 30% for External Power Supplies (EPS) by 2020. According to the OJEU (Official Journal of the European Union), the Regulation (No 278/2009) shall enter into force on the 20th day following its publication and apply one year after entry into force (27 April 2010).

27/05/09 Amended EU Directive Updates Requirements for Food Contact Plastics

EU Food Contact Directive Update

As of 1 May 2009, any plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with food that do not comply with Directive 2002/72/EC (as amended by Directive 007/19/EC), will be prohibited from manufacture or import into the European Community. Additionally, importers and suppliers of plastic materials and/or articles intended to have food contact need to be aware that the Directive requires these products to be accompanied by a written declaration of compliance (see additional information below).

27/05/09 Coordinated REACH Compliance Enforcement Project Starts

REACH Compliance Enforcement gathers pace

A joint enforcement project has started across the European Union called REACH-EN-FORCE-1. Under the program, national inspectors are checking pre-registrations, registrations and where applicable, the provisions for Safety Data Sheets. In addition, the Forum for the Exchange of Information on Enforcement for REACH reviewed the start of this project in May 2009 and agreed to further steps for enforcing legislation.

05/05/09 Germany Plans to Ban Chromium (VI) in Leather Products

The German Government has proposed to amend its Consumer Goods Ordinance to require the removal of any traces of Chromium (VI) in all consumer goods made of leather that are likely to have a significant amount of skin contact. In particular this relates to products such as leather watch straps, clothes, bags, backpacks, furniture upholstery and leather toys.

01/05/09 NEWSBYTE-NWML Takes on Enforcement of Batteries Regulations

The United Kingdom (UK) Department for Business has appointed the National Weights and Measures Laboratory (NWML) as the Batteries Enforcement Authority.

01/05/09 New Version of ISO 8124-1-2009 Safety of Toys Released

The International Organization of Standardization (ISO) has released a new version of ISO 8124-1:2009 Safety of Toys - Part 1: Safety Aspects Related to Mechanical and Physical Properties, effective with the publication date of March 15, 2009. The revised standard adds new requirements for toy scooters that address static and dynamic strength, brake performance, strength of steering tubes and other general concerns. It also consolidates amendments AMD 1:2007 (various clauses) and AMD 2:2007 (acoustics) into the previous version of ISO 8124-1:2000.

01/05/09 NEWSBYTE-Proposed Ban of Dichloromethane in Paint Strippers

The first reading of the Decision to amend Council Directive 76/769/EEC as regards restriction on the marketing and use of dichloromethane in paint strippers in a concentration higher than 0.1% has been adopted by the European Parliament.

01/05/09 SIEF (Substance Information Exchange Forum): the next step under REACH

The purpose of a Substance Information Exchange Forum (SIEF) is to help registrants of the same substance to share information about the substance and to avoid duplication of testing. Forming and participating in a SIEF is the next recommended step under REACH legislation after pre-registration. In order to complete one’s registration process it is helpful to obtain information from a SIEF. Companies familiar with SIEF will be better prepared for the challenges of the process and better able to take advantage of the opportunity shared information represents.

25/03/09 REACH Enforcement Gathers Pace

REACH

REACH compliance continues to be one of the major challenges faced by the European Union consumer products market supply chain. Where should large retailers and importers focus their efforts? What approach will protect against the latest enforcement activities? ...Read more

25/03/09 REACH Obligations Update

REACH Obligations Update

With the end of the pre-registration phase, the first major REACH milestone is complete. As reported in a previous bulletin, late pre-registration is still possible for new importers of substances over 1 tpa. However, for retailers and importers of products, there are still necessary actions to take for continuing compliance with the REACH Regulations...Read more

25/03/09 Mercury Bans Continue in Europe

Mercury thermometers

Many governments worldwide have started to ban or reduce the use of mercury. Mercury thermometers are to be banned in Europe, Sweden will ban all mercury products and there are plans for an international treaty banning mercury. ...Read more

25/03/09 Dimethylfumarate to be Banned within EU

Leather and Dimethylfumarate

Dimethylfumarate, known to cause physical reactions like dermatitis or allergies was banned as of 1 May 2009 from the European market in all kinds of consumer products...Read more

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