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GPSR: General Product Safety Regulation
There are many directives and regulations that address product compliance. Still it is practically impossible to cover all risks for all consumer products. The solution is a broad-based legislation to fill possible gaps and to complement existing and future legislation.
Child appealing electrical appliances
The risks associated with household appliances that have designs that attract children
From Timber to Deforestation Regulation
The main driver of deforestation and forest degradation is the expansion of agricultural land, which is linked to the production of seven commodities: cattle, cocoa, coffee, oil palm, rubber, soya, and wood; and some of their derived products, such as leather or furniture.
Ecodesign for Sustainable Products (ESPR)
ESPR, the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation provides the framework for more sustainable and circular products.
The PFHxA restriction
The PFHxA restriction enters into force on 10 October 2024, taking effect after transitional periods between 18 months and 5 years.
Microplastics
Overall, around 145,000 tonnes of microplastics are estimated to be used in the EU each year. And 42,000 tonnes of these microplastics end up in the environment from products intentionally containing them. The largest contribution with up to 16,000 tonnes is made by granules from artificial turf pitches.
Compliance resources
Wrinkle finishing of textiles
A wrinkle, is a fold, ridge or crease in clothes or garments. Sometimes wrinkles are intentionally added to create a “look” but more often wrinkles are not desired and fabrics are treated to become “wrinkle-free”. In both cases chemical finishing techniques are applied to the fibers or fabrics.
UV stabilisers
Materials intended for outdoor usage will be exposed to direct sunlight (ultraviolet radiation). This may cause undesirable degradation of the (plastic) materials such as colour change or loss of elongation (elasticity, stretch).
Water-, oil- or stain repellents
Clothing may be subject to rain, water, oil or dirt. Clothing can be made resistant after treatment with repellents. Repellents resist or hold off unwanted substances from rain to oil.
Heat resistant additives for plastics
During the processing of plastics and rubbers the present polymers are subject of various degradation processes such as oxidation, UV-damage or thermal degradation.
Antimicrobials
Adding antimicrobial additives is a method to create products that are resistant to the adverse effects of microbes. Examples of microbes are bacteria, mould and fungi. Microbes may change or deteriorate the mechanical or electrical properties of materials.
What are anti-static additives?
Static electricity is the situation where electrical charges remain on the surface of a material. Rubbing of two materials against each may cause these charges. The amount of electric charge depends on the two materials but everybody knows the effect that (plastic) combs may have on your hair or the static electricity
What are anti-scratch additives?
The aesthetics or performance of products may require properties such as “anti-scratch”. Anti-scratch additives are used when the surface of moulded plastics components must be both soft and scratch- resistant and also hard or tough enough to resist any damage to the surface from everyday use.
Polymeric food contact materials
Although all PFAS are controversial are not all PFAS substances restricted. It is expected that more and more PFAS substances will be added to the REACH candidate list in the near future. Seeking for PFAS alternatives is a must. You can divide the PFAS applications in consumer products in three major categories.
What are plasticisers (softeners)?
Plasticisers are also called softeners because of this, phthalates are a well known type of plasticisers. Plasticisers are added to polymers for the manufacturing of plastics. Plasticisers are mostly used in PVC, but a significant amount of plasticisers is also used in polymers like acrylics, polypropylene or
Flame retardants
Flame retardants are chemicals added to plastics (including rubbers) and used to prevent ignition or spread of flame by the product (material) when there is a heat source in the vicinity of the product. Flame retardants are useful chemical additives but some of them are hazardous and therefore restricted or banned.
