New York State Bans Harmful Chemicals in Apparel: Amendment to Prohibit PFAS Takes Effect in 2025

New York PFAS Regulation

On March 24, 2023, New York State’s Governor Hochul signed bill S01322, amending Laws S. 6291-A and A. 7063-A to prohibit the intentional use of Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in apparel. What are Perfluorinated Compounds and Perfluorinated Chemicals? PFAS, also known as perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) and perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs), are classified as persistent chemicals. […]

New Safety Standards for Textile Materials: Updates to Canadian Flammability Regulations

The Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB) has recently reviewed and updated the CAN/CGSB-4.2 No. 27.5-2008 standard, which determines the flame spread properties of textile materials under Canada’s Textile Flammability Regulations. The updated standard aims to provide more explicit guidelines for testing the flame spread properties of textile materials and improve the safety of these materials […]

Latest Product Recall Report: March 2023

Welcome to our latest product recall report listing all the latest product recalls from around the world for March 2023. The comprehensive document includes important recall information and updates from key regions across the globe with explanation on issues you need to know about. See below for a latest round-up from the EU, US below. […]

Hong Kong Updates the Toys and Children’s Products Safety Ordinance

bunk beds Hong Kong standards

The Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region government has recently published a notice in the Gazette announcing an update to the Toys and Children’s Products Safety Ordinance. The amendment aims to strengthen the safety standards for children’s products, focusing on four classes listed in Schedule 2 under the ordinance. The updated standards are expected to take […]

U.S. CPSC Considers New Safety Standards for Clothing Storage Units under STURDY Act

clothing storage standard

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has been required to determine if a voluntary safety standard meets the requirements for clothing storage units under the STURDY Act. In response to this requirement, the staff at the U.S. CPSC has completed its review of the Standard Safety Specification for Clothing Storage Units, ASTM F2057-23. The […]

U.S. CPSC Mandates New Safety Standards for Non-Full-Size Baby Cribs

safety standard baby cribs

On March 6, 2023, the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) announced a new Direct Final rule for 16 CFT Part 1220, which sets a mandatory safety standard for non-full-size baby cribs (NFS).  The new rule aims to reduce the number of injuries and deaths associated with non-full-size baby cribs. The voluntary standard ASTM F406-22 […]

Latest Product Recall Report: February 2023

Welcome to our latest product recall report listing all the latest product recalls from around the world for February 2023. The comprehensive document includes important recall information and updates from key regions across the globe with explanation on issues you need to know about. See below for a latest round-up from the EU, US below. […]

HQTS to provide Uganda Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVOC) Services

Uganda PVOC Certification

HQTS is proud to announce that the company has been selected by the Uganda National Bureau of Standards to provide services under the Uganda Pre-Export Verification of Conformity to Standards Programme (PVoC). The company is now one of only six appointed Uganda PVoC services providers for general in the world. The Pre-Export Verification of Conformity […]

EU Updates Classification Guidance for Toys Intended for Children Under 3 Years of Age

Childrens Products HQTS

On 1 February 2023, the European Commission (EU) and the Expert Group on Toy Safety announced new guidelines for classifying toys for children under three years of age. This move aims to provide a more uniform interpretation of the EU’s toy safety requirements. The original classification for toys aimed at young children was established in […]