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2023-03-22

NEA newsletter-202303

Latest Progress in Environmental Protection Laws and Regulations, Product Recall Case, and Experts Q&A

Consultation opens on proposed PFHxS restriction
Recently, the European Commission is seeking comments from the chemicals community on its proposed restriction on perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), its salts and related compounds under the EU POPs Regulation. Comments were opened for until March 9, 2023.
For the purposes of this entry, Article 4(1), point (b), proposed limits:

  • Apply to concentrations of PFHxS or any of its salts equal to or below 0,025 mg/kg (0,0000025 % by weight) where they are present in substances, mixtures or articles
  • Apply to the sum of concentrations of all PFHxS-related compounds equal to or below 1 mg/kg (0,0001 % by weight) where they are present in substances, mixtures or articles
  • Apply to concentrations of PFHxS and PFHxS-related compounds equal to or below 0,1 mg/kg (0,00001 % by weight) where it is present in concentrated fire-fighting foam mixtures that are to be used or are used in the production of other fire-fighting foam mixtures.

Taiwan adds UV disinfection equipment under TW-RoHS
On December 23, 2022, the Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection (BSMI) is-sued an announcement to formulate relevant regulations for UV Disinfection (Sterilization) Appliances. Relevant inspection standards have been revised and requirements for "presence mark" for Taiwan's RoHS has been added. The effective date of this revision is May 1, 2023.
According to the Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection (BSMI), companies importing or manufacturing the equipment domestically are required to obtain a registration of product certificate (RPC). The products must include the BSMI mark and RoHS label on packaging CNS 15663 and comply with the testing standard for controlled sub-stances, CNS 15050.The CNS 15663 Guidance on reducing restricted chemicals in electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) sets concentration limits for heavy metals and brominated flame retardants in products.

ECHA publishes PFAS restriction proposal
On February 7, 2023, the European Chemical Administration (ECHA) announced the proposed restrictions on perfluoroalkyl substances and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). PFAS is a unique family consisting of about 10000 substances and has strong durability in the environment. PFAS, including perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), is waterproof, grease and oil resistant, which enables it to be used in various consumer goods, including but not limited to post-treatment, clothing, carpets and mats, cosmetics, electronic products and semiconductors, food contact materials and products, fire-fighting foam, leather, lubricants, medical equipment, non-stick cookware, ski wax, textiles and upholstered furniture.

3 chemical items are added to CP 65 list
On January 27, 2023, the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) issued a notice that 1-bromo-3-chloropropane (CAS 109-70-6), 1-butyl glycidyl ether (CAS 2426-08-6), and glycidyl methacrylate (CAS 106-91-2) have been listed in the California Proposition 65 hazardous substances list because of their carcinogenicity. There are nearly 1000 substances in the list of hazardous substances, and the list is updated at least once a year. This is the first update in 2023.

Argentina updates import regulations for batteries
On January 19, 2023Argentina updated battery import regulations. The regulation aims to clear up a backlog caused by Argentina’s current import authorisation process. The changes will impact businesses importing battery products containing carbon-zinc, alkaline-manganese, silver oxide, zinc-air and mercury oxide in cylindrical, prism, button or common formats.
Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development will now issue import authorisations valid for a specific period of time, as opposed to each shipment. Battery importers are required to obtain a conformity assessment certificate from a certification body to prove products do not exceed heavy metal content limits. In addition, they must also get a special import authorisation from an office within the Ministry of Environment.

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