January 2020

As of January 1, 2020, manufacturers and distributors of lithium ion cells and batteries and equipment powered by cells and batteries are required to provide a Test Summary as specified in the United Nations Manual of Tests and Criteria, Part III, sub-section 38.3, paragraph 38.3.5. It should be noted that the test summary also applies to the cells and batteries contained in equipment when the cell or battery is added to a product.

The Test Summary shall include the information as below; however, there is no defined required format to follow.

On December 2, 2019, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry issued notification No.33/2015-2020 to amend the import policy for toys distributed in India. This was effective immediately.

According to the amendment, the requirement of testing toys at laboratories accredited by the India’s National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) has been removed. Instead, the authority will randomly select samples from each consignment arriving in India and sent them to NABL accredited laboratories for clearance. Failure in complying to the BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) toy standards may result in the consignment being sent back or destroyed at the cost of the importer. The example of BIS toy standards are shown as below.

• IS 9873-1: Safety aspects related to mechanical and physical properties

• IS 9873-2: Flammability

• IS 9873-3: Migration of Certain elements

• IS 9873-4: Swings, slides and similar activities - toys for indoor and outdoor family domestic use

• IS 9873-7: Requirements and test methods for finger paints

• IS 9873-9: Certain phthalates in toys and children’s products

• IS 15644: Electric toys

On September 30, 2019, the Minister of Science and Technology of Vietnam approved QCVN 3:2019/BKHCN Technical Regulations for Toy Safety.

The key amendments to the Technical Regulation on Toy Safety are summarized below:

• Revised the version of standards for physical and mechanical properties, flammability and migration of certain elements:

• Introduced Phthalates requirements (BBP, DBP and DEHP for all toys, and DIDP, DINP and DNOP for toys, which can be placed in the mouth)

• Updated the toy labeling requirements in accordance with Decree No. 43/2017/ND-CP of April 14, 2017

The new Technical Regulation will come into force on January 1, 2021. Toys that are tested and comply with Technical Regulation,QCVN 3:2009/BKHCN, can be sold in the market until December 31, 2021.

On December 1, 2019, the Hong Kong Government proposed the adoption of up-to-date safety standards for toys and certain children’s products listed in Schedule 2 under the Toys and Children’s Products Safety Ordinance (Cap 424).

The Toys and Children’s Products Safety Ordinance stipulates that a person must not manufacture, import or supply a toy or Schedule 2 product unless it complies with all the applicable requirements contained in any one of the safety standards specified in Schedules 1 and 2 respectively in the Ordinance. The standards specified are international standards adopted by major economies.

Schedule 1 Toy Standard

Schedule 2 Children’s Product Standard

In Australia, when hazards are identified in consumer products, they will be recalled and published in the Recalls and Safety Alerts Database on the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission website, which is updated daily. The Australia recalls from June 2, 2019 ­- November 29, 2019 are summarized below:

*Other Hazards include Allergic Hazard, Chemical Hazard, Drowning Hazard, Electric Shock Hazard, Electrical Hazard, Entrapment Hazard, Fall Hazard, Ingestion Hazard, Laceration Hazard and Strangulation Hazard with a frequency of less than 7.

^Other Categories include Candles & Burning Items and Accessories, Computer / Audio / Video / Other Electronics & Accessories, Eyewear, Food Contact Material, Home Electrical Appliances (Hair Dryer, Iron, etc.), Homeware, Lighting Equipment and Pet Supplies with a frequency of less than 5.

For a complete list click here