From the American Coatings Association:

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) issued an alert on Aug. 13 offering chemical manufacturers advice as to when they may keep the names of chemicals they make confidential when they notify the agency about their chemicals, required under the classification, labeling, and packaging of substances and mixtures (CLP ) regulation, (EC) No. 1272/2008.

As of Jan. 3, 2011, companies that manufacture, import, use, or distribute chemical substances or mixtures must provide information about the classifications of and labels for any substance or mixture, regardless of its annual tonnage, before they place it on the European Union’s market. Placing a chemical on the market means making it physically available, whether for payment or free of charge, according to information posted on the chemical agency’s website.

Specifically, chemical manufacturers, importers, or distributors can claim the IUPAC name confidential if their chemical is new to the European market; if it is an intermediate, meaning it is used to make other chemicals; if it is used for scientific research and development; or if it is used in the development of what the manufacturer hopes will be a new chemical product, the agency said.

Click on the links for more information.
Relevant Nexreg Compliance Links: REACH compliance, EU SDS authoring, SDS authoring

August 25, 2010 – Deodorant Aerosol Spray:

The product lacks the symbol and warnings required for potentially flammable and explosive products under Canadian law. This lack of labelling information could result in misuse of the product and lead to serious injury.

August 20, 2010 – Aerosol Paints:

Health Canada’s auditing process has revealed that the recalled products do not meet labelling requirements under Canadian law for consumer chemical products. The products were labelled for workplace (WHMIS) requirements and should have only been sold to industrial clients.

However, these products were sold to industrial and retail clients, without changing the labelling requirements for consumers. This lack of consumer labelling information, including appropriate warnings, may lead to serious injury or property damage.

August 19, 2010 – Aerosol Hair Care Products:

The recalled products do not meet labelling requirements for potentially flammable and explosive products under Canadian law. This lack of labelling information, including appropriate warnings, could result in misuse of the product and lead to serious injury.

August 19, 2010 – Gun Care Aerosol Products:

Health Canada’s auditing process has revealed that these products do not meet the labelling requirements under Canadian law. The products lack the symbols and warnings required for consumer chemicals and lack French labelling.

This lack of labelling information, including appropriate warnings, could result in the mishandling of the product leading to serious illness or injury.

If you have any doubts about the compliancy of your chemical products, please do not hesitate to contact us. More information about our label review services can be found here:

• Canadian Consumer Label Review
• Canadian Industrial Label Review
• Canadian Cosmetic Product Label Review

We can be contacted at:
Nexreg Toll Free: 1-866-361-3032
E-mail:info@nexreg.com

Today, a new video has been released in our  ‘Nexreg on Compliance’ video series, which addresses hazard communication (HazCom) issues for jurisdictions such as Canada, the United States and the   European Union.  The videos can be found on Nexreg’s YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/Nexreg.

• Importance of MSDS Compliance – The Kellie Renwick Story

In 2010 Kellie Renwick was injured on the job due to the improper handling of chemicals. This video instructs workplaces on how they can avoid worker injuries, investigations and fines by following MSDS compliance and WHMIS rules.Nexreg plans on adding a new video every Friday.  The questions   answered in the video series will come from viewer requests, so please   send your questions to info@nexreg.com.
To learn more about Nexreg Compliance please visit www.nexreg.com or call our toll-free line at (866)361-3032.

Due to some technical issues, the next installment of Nexreg on Compliance will not be released until Monday morning.  My apologies for the inconvenience.

In the meantime, Nexreg would like to thank everyone who has viewed the series and in particular all the useful responses we have received.  The series has been viewed over 50,000 times, which wouldn’t be possible without you!

From: Los Angeles Times

California appellate court this week reignited a case that alleges that the chicken-grilling process used by McDonald’s Corp., TGI Friday’s, Applebee’s, Chick-fil-A, Chili’s and Outback Steakhouse creates a cancer-causing chemical — and therefore that state law requires the restaurateurs to warn consumers about it.

A watchdog group called Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine  said it tested grilled chicken samples from a variety of restaurants. They found, according to court documents, the presence of the chemical PhIP…So they sued seven chains in 2008 in Los Angeles Superior Court, claiming that California law required the businesses to give customers a “clear and reasonable warning” about carcinogenic products in their food.

The lower court granted a summary judgment in favor of the restaurants in 2009. But on Thursday, the state’s Second District Court of Appeal reversed that judgment, and ruled that a federal law for cooking chicken didn’t preempt the state warning requirements.

Click on the links for more information.

Relevant Nexreg Compliance Links: CPSC compliance, OSHA MSDS authoring, MSDS authoring

From: PropelMG.

Formaldehyde is “probably human carcinogen,” according to the EPA, and it’s labeled a “known human carcinogen” by other agencies…Besides being a carcinogen, formaldehyde is also a “VOC,” or volatile organic compound.

Formaldehyde is widely used in glues and adhesives; it’s a preservative in paints and finishes too.  It’s also found in many manufactured products like insulation and some sheetgoods, cabinets, and furniture, especially if they use medium-density fiberboard, particleboard, and plywood.

In July, 2010, President Obama signed a new law that limits formaldehyde levels in wood, and it’s remarkable because it will affect the types and cost of cabinets available to anyone who builds or remodels houses.  The law will be phased in (with the EPA writing implementation laws), but this is a clear trend to limit and eventually eliminate formaldehyde in building products, as far as possible.

To learn more about how this new law may affect your product, please click on the above link.

Relevant Nexreg Compliance Links: CPSC compliance, OSHA MSDS authoring, MSDS authoring

From: Prop 65 Clearinghouse Blog

OEHHA has proposed establishing a no significant risk levels (NSRLs) for glycidol. This amendment to section 25705 would adopt the NSRL of 0.54 mcgs/day for the chemical.

Written statements or arguments must be sent to Monet Vela mvela@oehha.ca.gov by 5:00 p.m. on September 13 2010, the designated close of the written comment period. A public hearing to present oral comments will be scheduled only if one is requested.

To learn more about this change to Proposition 65, please click on the above link.

Relevant Nexreg Compliance Links: CPSC compliance, OSHA MSDS authoring, MSDS authoring

From: The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

…The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released action plans today to address the potential health risks of benzidine dyes, hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) and nonylphenol (NP)/nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs). The chemicals are widely used in both consumer and industrial applications, including dyes, flame retardants, and industrial laundry detergents. The plans identify a range of actions the agency is considering under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)…

…Benzidine dyes are used in the production of consumer textiles, paints, printing inks, paper, and pharmaceuticals and may pose health problems, including cancer. HBCD is used as a flame retardant in expanded polystyrene foam in the building and construction industry, as well as in some consumer products. HBCD has been shown to be persistent and bioaccumulative in the environment and may pose potential reproductive, developmental, and neurological effects in people. NP/NPEs are used in many industrial applications and consumer products such as detergents, cleaners, agricultural and indoor pesticides, as well as food packaging. These chemicals have been detected in people…

Click on the links for more information.

Relevant Nexreg Compliance Links: CPSC compliance, OSHA MSDS authoring, MSDS authoring

Recalled: August 17, 2010

- Natural Oil-based Sealer

Health Canada’s auditing process has revealed that the recalled products do not meet labelling requirements under Canadian law. The products lack the spontaneously combustible symbols and warnings required for flammable consumer chemicals.

Products identified as spontaneously combustible may cause rags and cloths used with the product to burn on their own. This lack of labelling information, including appropriate warnings, may lead to property damage and serious injury.

If you have any doubts about the compliancy of your chemical products, please do not hesitate to contact us. More information about our label review services can be found here:

• Canadian Consumer Label Review
• Canadian Industrial Label Review
• Canadian Cosmetic Product Label Review

We can be contacted at:
Nexreg Toll Free: 1-866-361-3032
E-mail:info@nexreg.com

Earlier this month, Nexreg launched a free video series titled   ‘Nexreg on Compliance’ which addresses hazard communication (HazCom)   issues for jurisdictions such as Canada, the United States and the   European Union.  The videos can be found on Nexreg’s YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/Nexreg.
Today, a new video has been released:

• Can I Use My U.S. MSDS in Europe or Canada?

This video answers the question “Can I use my U.S. MSDS in Europe, Canada or other jurisdictions?” The video highlights when MSDSs can be ported over to other jurisdictions and when they cannot. As well, there is a brief discussion of GHS.

Nexreg plans on adding a new video every Friday.  The questions   answered in the video series will come from viewer requests, so please   send your questions to info@nexreg.com.
To learn more about Nexreg Compliance please visit www.nexreg.com or call our toll-free line at (866)361-3032.