As we mentioned in Health Canada Cracking Down on Non Compliant Labels and in CCCR Recalls Continue a number of products have been recalled for non-compliance with CCCR-2001 and the cosmetics regulations.  Recently two more products, both packaged in “pressurized containers” have been recalled, both for “lack[ing] the symbol and warnings required for potentially flammable and explosive products. The lack of labelling information including appropriate warnings could potentially result in misuse of this product and lead to serious injury.”

The products are:

• A tanning mist
• A hair spray

The full set of recalls - available here.

Nexreg is giving a presentation at the Southern Aerosol Technical Association’s annual conference.  Topic of the presentation - Canadian compliance, including issues such as CCCR-2001 and proposed VOC regulations.  For anyone who is interested a copy of the slides is available here.

As we mentioned in Health Canada Cracking Down on Non Compliant Labels a number of products have been recalled for non-compliance with CCCR-2001 and the cosmetics regulations.  We have identified 14 products that have been recalled for label violations this year:

• Sep. 2008: Spa chemicals (lack of child proof cap)
• Sep. 2008: Paint solvent (lack of child proof cap)
• Sep. 2008: Film barrier lubricant (flame projection too long)
• Sep. 2008: Stainless steel polish aerosol (flammability)
• Sep. 2008: Carburetor cleaner (flame projection too long)
• Sep. 2008: Deodorant (flammability)
• Sep. 2008: Grout (lack of child proof cap)
• Aug. 2008: Spray truck bed coating (flame projection too long)
• Aug. 2008: Aerosol engine cleaners (flammability)
• Jul. 2008: Spray foundation (flammability)
• Jul. 2008: All purpose cleaner (flammability)
• Jul. 2008: Aerosol hair product (flammability)
• May 2008: Home fragrances (flammability)
• Apr 2008: Leather cleaner (child proof cap)

If you are 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

A useful reminder from Packaging News:

The UN’s Globally Harmonised System (GHS) on the classification, labelling and packaging of hazardous substances is to be incorporated into EU law after MEPs reached an “acceptable compromise”.

The new regulation will replace existing EU directives on classification and labelling of substances.

The aim of the GHS system is to enable products to be judged on their physical hazards and toxicity and to provide them with suitable labelling and information on safety measures, which could be through labels, hazard pictograms and words such as ‘Danger’ or ‘Warning’.

As with the current legislation, the proposed new regulation is intended to be primarily a self-classification system for businesses.

The regulation is in line with Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (Reach) legislation, although “some small amendments” to do with classification and labelling will have to be made.

A Press Release from the EU adds:

The compromise which has been agreed between representatives of the Parliament and the Council, aims to implement the GHS system into EU legislation. The new regulation will replace the existing EU directives on classification and labelling of substances which set forth an extensive system (3 key directives), but the current rules and the GHS are conceptually similar. The proposal aims to maintain the current level of environment and health protection, to keep the scope of the classification and labelling rules as close as possible to the existing EU system and to ensure a smooth transition to a new system based on GHS. The reclassification and labelling of most substances must be completed by 1.12.2010 for substances and 1.6.2015 for mixtures. The current Directives on classification, labelling and packaging will be repealed on 1 June 2015. During a transitory period both systems will be applied.

Click on the above links for more information.

Nexreg has more information on GHS at the following link:

• GHS Strategic Planning (English)

To speak to a Nexreg representative about how GHS will impact your company, please call or e-mail Nexreg at:

Nexreg Toll Free: 1-866-361-3032
E-mail:info@nexreg.com

From the LA Times:

AB 1879 from Assemblyman Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles) started out like any number of other bills targeting individual chemicals known to cause such problems as birth defects, cancer and lung disorders. But this week, Feuer and the bill’s coauthors reached a deal with the California Environmental Protection Agency and the state Department of Toxic Substances Control to amend the bill so that it takes a more comprehensive approach — and lays the framework for the governor’s Green Chemistry scheme.

California environmental regulators have long focused on emissions from industrial facilities and vehicles. Feuer’s bill would for the first time give them the power to regulate chemicals in consumer products. That doesn’t necessarily mean banning such chemicals, though the state would have that option if there were clear evidence of health risks; it might mean simply requiring better product labeling or restricting the use of some substances. The bill also would set up an Internet database containing current information and research on toxic chemicals, create an advisory panel of scientists to guide chemicals policy and establish regulations for analyzing greener alternatives.

Click on the above link for more information or here for the text of AB 1879.

From the Air Resources Board - the public availibility of the modified text of the California Consumer Product Regulations. The modified text is available as a PDF here. The deadline for public comment is August 27, 2008. The Public Comments received are available here.

From Safety.BLR.com:

This year, the United Nations will be implementing the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS)–a new global system that will standardize definitions, data sheets, classification of materials, and labeling around the world. U.S. agencies will be making decisions about adopting these requirements in the U.S.

While this is ultimately good news for all concerned, in the short term the implementation of the GHS will require changes in all American workplace hazard communication programs–including all new labels and safety data sheets…

Here is a timeline of OSHA regulatory activities regarding GHS…

• Goal for publishing the proposed rulemaking is October 2008.
• Final rule could be published 12 months to 18 months after that.
• Compliance is likely to be phased in over several years.

Click on the above link for more information.

Nexreg has more information on GHS at the following link:

• GHS Strategic Planning (English)

To speak to a Nexreg representative about how GHS will impact your company, please call or e-mail Nexreg at:

Nexreg Toll Free: 1-866-361-3032
E-mail:info@nexreg.com

More on the CPSC Reform Act we discussed last week. This from InjuryBoard.com:

Both the United States Senate and House of Representatives voted to pass a bill that provides for the reauthorization of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The bill includes many safety protections, including ATV (all-terrain vehicle) standards, whistleblower protection for employees of manufacturers and distributors, a ban on phthalates in children’s toys, and other mandatory toy standards. It also authorizes additional federal funding for the Commission to carry out investigations.

The American Association for Justice has been working on this legislation for the better part of a year. They worked to include language that clarifies requirements under such bills as the Consumer Product Safety Act and the Federal Hazardous Substance Act do not preempt causes of action under State or local common law, nor do they preempt State statutory law concerning damage claims. The language of the bill specifically states that the CPSC is to refrain from including any language regarding preemption in its statement of policy and executive branch orders. The legislation also states certain state laws, for example California’s Proposition 65, are not preempted. The bill is now being sent to the White House for the President’s approval, which he is expected to sign.

Click on the above link for more information.

The Guardian has a fairly standard article on the burden REACH is placing on companies. One interesting discussion is the number of pre-registrations that have been sent in:

Dancet’s agency has around 200 staff and aims to add an additional 50 before the year end to handle the flurry of enquiries and pre-registrations that will have to be submitted before 1 of December this year.

“There are enormous numbers of questions coming to our helpdesk … it has been a rather difficult issue to manage over the past year,” Dancet told Reuters in an interview.

Already some 40,000 pre-registrations have been submitted and Dancet expected some 150,000 to 200,000 before the year end.

“We will discuss with our network of national helpdesks how to tackle the continuing increase of questions — potentially it will only get worse,”

Click on the above link for more information.

An interesting article from IndustryWeek. Here are a few key excerpts:

With the pre-registration period for REACH now underway (June 1), all chemicals of one ton or more in volume that are manufactured in, or imported into, the EU each year, must be tested for their effect on health and safety and registered with a new central European authority-the European Chemicals Agency-located in Helsinki, Finland. Pre-registration must take place before December 2008…

With REACH, some substances will be phased out of production or become uneconomical because the cost of registering a substance is significant. Registration for a single substance produced at more than 1,000 tons per annum could cost up to EUR 2 million (roughly $3.13 million).

Under REACH, new environmentally-friendly substances will become commercially more attractive. The companies that develop REACH-compliant products will naturally establish competitive advantage…

REACH is not the only legislation that promises to improve the chemical industry. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed a new initiative called the Chemical Assessment and Management Program (ChAMP). Born out of the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America Leaders’ Summit last year, ChAMP promises to improve chemical safety and the environmental impact of chemicals by gauging risk levels in roughly 9,000 chemicals made in volumes of 25,000 pounds or greater.

Click on the above link for the full article.