Consumer Products Insight Bulletins

As part of our commitment to support and add value to our customers, Intertek regularly publishes and distributes important information about the consumer products industry in the form of our Insight (formerly known as Sparkle) technical bulletins. Insight provides updates on quality and safety requirements of consumer products for every country across the globe. Each Insight includes a detailed synopsis of continually changing standards and how they affect your business, to supply you with the knowledge and potential solutions to stay competitive in today's global marketplace.

Vol. 1506 | 17 Dec 2025

U.S. CPSC published new mandatory requirements for water beads and neck floats

CPSC’s new toy rules require safer designs and strong warnings for water bead toys and neck floats, limiting bead expansion and acrylamide and tightening buoyancy, restraint, and fit requirements, effective March and June 2026.

Vol. 1505 | 17 Dec 2025

China Market Update: Updated Textile, Footwear Products & Hardgoods Standard List 2025

China’s 2025 standard updates revise and expand mandatory and voluntary requirements for textiles, footwear, toys, children’s products, and hardgoods, introducing new product and test standards with phased implementation from 2025 through 2027.

Vol. 1504 | 16 Dec 2025

EU published the Regulation on the Safety of Toys

The new EU Toy Safety Regulation (EU) 2025/2509 replaces Directive 2009/48/EC with stricter chemical restrictions, cybersecurity and AI rules, enhanced warnings, online marketplace obligations, and a Digital Product Passport requirement for toys from August 2030.

Vol. 1503 | 11 Dec 2025

U.S. - Oregon Tightens Chemical Reporting for Children's Products

Oregon has tightened Toxic-Free Kids Act reporting, requiring product-level (BNPM) disclosure of high-priority chemicals in children’s products for 2024–2025, with electronic submissions due January 31, 2026, to enhance transparency and hazard communication.

Vol. 1502 | 11 Dec 2025

The Netherlands published Regulation amending the Commodities Act Regulation on Packaging and Consumer Goods

The Netherlands updated food-contact rules by revising metal specific migration limits and adding new coated-material restrictions and SMLs, effective 27 November 2025 for packaging and consumer goods in contact with food.

Vol. 1501 | 23 Nov 2025

Children’s Sand Products recalled in Australia due to Asbestos

In November 2025, Australia's ACCC recalled several children's decorative coloured sand products after tremolite and chrysotile asbestos—prohibited since 2003—were detected in laboratory tests. Import, sale, and use of asbestos-containing products is banned nationally under stringent customs and safety regulations.

Vol. 1500 | 23 Nov 2025

Egypt Updates Mandatory Standards for Toys, Swimming Aids, and Child Care Products

From March 2026, Egypt mandates conformity to updated ES 2025 standards for imported toys, swimming aids, and child care articles, with requirements based on recent European standards and detailed product test methods.

Vol. 1499 | 13 Nov 2025

Japan’s Notification on the Operation and Interpretation of the Consumer Product Safety Act for Toys and Baby Cribs

Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry announced amendments to the Consumer Product Safety Act effective 25 December 2025. Toys for children under 36 months and baby cribs are classified as specified products subject to safety, labeling, and testing requirements. Toy standards include ISO and ASTM norms, while baby cribs require PSC marks with specific labels for design features.

Vol. 1498 | 13 Nov 2025

U.S. – September 2025 California Proposition 65 – 60-Day Notices Analysis

In September 2025, California issued 520 Proposition 65 60-day notices with 50.77% involving Lead, 10% Phthalates, and 38.85% other chemicals. Notices also addressed combined chemical presence. Intertek offers Prop 65 compliance services supporting manufacturers and distributors to meet regulatory requirements and manage enforcement risks.

Vol. 1497 | 10 Nov 2025

EU REACH – ECHA adds DBDPE to the Candidate List

On 5 November 2025, ECHA added 1,1'-(ethane-1,2-diyl)bis[pentabromobenzene] (DBDPE) to the REACH Candidate List, bringing the total to 251 substances of very high concern (SVHC). DBDPE is very persistent and bioaccumulative, used as a flame retardant. Companies must provide safe use information and notify ECHA if concentrations exceed 0.1% by weight.

Vol. 1496 | 04 Nov 2025

EU – Commission Reduces the Limit Value of “Listed PBDE” under POPs Regulation

The European Commission’s Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/1482 lowers unintentional trace contaminant limits for Listed PBDEs under the POPs Regulation, introducing stricter requirements for general, recycled, and childcare-related articles effective between 2025 and 2027.

Vol. 1495 | 01 Oct 2025

EU – Addition of Dechlorane Plus to EU POPs Regulation

EU Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/1930 adds Dechlorane Plus to the POPs Regulation, effective 15 October 2025. The unintentional trace contaminant limit starts at 1000 mg/kg, lowering to 1 mg/kg after 30 months, with exemptions for aerospace and medical applications.

Vol. 1494 | 01 Oct 2025

U.S. – August 2025 California Proposition 65 – 60-Day Notices Analysis

In August 2025, there were 617 60-day notices for violation of Prop 65, of which 42.95% of the notices (265 notices) served were for the category of Lead, 8.75% of notices (54 notices) were served for the presence of Phthalates, 48.14% of the notices (297) were for the presence of other chemicals. Also, 0.16% of notices (1 notice) were issued for the combined presence of Lead and Phthalates.

Vol. 1493 | 29 Sep 2025

France Approves Environmental Cost Labeling for Textiles

France has officially introduced Decree No. 2025-957, and an accompanying ministerial Order concerning the labeling of the environmental cost of textile products on the French market, aiming to inform consumers about the environmental impact of these products.