The U.S. exempts untreated tree trunk wood from heavy metal testing in toys

Core reminder: Previously, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission ruled that certain materials do not exceed the lead content limit, so if they are used in children’s products, there is no need for third-party testing. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a direct final rule, ruling not The heavy metals contained in the treated trunk wood do not exceed the upper limit listed in the committee's toy standard (American Society for Testing and Materials ASTM F963-11). Based on this ruling, the parts made of untreated tree trunk wood in the toy do not require third-party heavy metal testing. Internet pictures are subject to the mandatory standard ASTM F963-11, which is the 'Toy Safety Standard: Consumer Safety Specification'. Toys must be tested by a third-party conformity assessment agency recognized by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission to prove that they meet all applicable regulations of the Consumer Safety Council , The manufacturer can issue a children’s product certificate to allow the product to enter the market. This standard stipulates that if the surface paint of the toy and the accessible primer paint are likely to be sucked, put in the mouth or swallowed by children, they must meet the solubility limits of 8 heavy metal elements, each of which is antimony (60 parts per million). ), arsenic (25 parts per million), barium (1,000 parts per million), cadmium (75 parts per million), chromium (60 parts per million), lead (90 parts per million), mercury (60 parts per million), and Selenium (500 parts per million).　　 Previously, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission ruled that certain materials do not exceed the lead content limit, so if they are used in children's products, third-party testing is not required. As for the remaining seven types of heavy metals, the Consumer Safety Council ruled that untreated trunk wood does not contain heavy metal elements that exceed the upper limit of solubility. This time the Consumer Safety Council also reviewed other materials, including bamboo, beeswax, undyed and treated fibers and textiles (cotton, wool, hemp, silk), and coated or uncoated paper (wood or other cellulose). fiber). The CSRC chose to study these materials because it previously ruled that the lead content of these materials does not exceed 100 parts per million, and it is more likely to be used in toys subject to the ASTM F963-11 solubility limit.　　 Consumer Safety Association stated that the study found that parts of trees other than the trunk have higher levels of heavy metals. However, the branches are chopped off during the commercial timber harvesting process, and only the trunk is transported to the wood mill for processing. Wood mills will saw these trunks into wood boards of the same length, and then sell them to wood wholesalers or retailers for wood toy manufacturers and other manufacturers to purchase. According to this method of operation, the planks only come from the trunk of the tree, so the wood used in toys or other wood products comes from the trunk, rather than branches that may contain excessive heavy metals.　　 Unless the CSRC receives major objections before August 17, the direct final rule will take effect on September 15. If an objection is received, the Consumer Safety will issue a notice on the law-making proposal, and members of the public can also comment on the proposal before August 17. In addition, according to a recently announced final rule, extension cords (including extension cords for indoor and outdoor use) that do not have one or more of the following visible characteristics constitute a major product risk under the Consumer Product Safety Law ：(1) Meet the minimum size requirements of the wire; (2) Have proper anti-pull device; (3) The polarity is correct; (4) The connection is correct; (5) There is a socket cover (for some double-wire indoor extensions) Wire); (6) The wire is protected by a jacket (for outdoor extension wires).　　 The Consumer Safety Association stated that the above are visible features of extension cords and are regulated by the voluntary standard UL 817. Most extension cords sold in the United States meet this standard. According to the Consumer Safety Association, products complying with this standard can effectively reduce the risk of electric shock and fire damage related to extension cords.　　 This final rule applies to indoor and outdoor general-purpose extension cords, which can be used with a variety of electrical appliances. **The final rule does not apply to removable power cords, electrical cords, power extensions, transformer cords provided with outdoor tools and garden equipment, etc. Since August 26th, extension cords subject to the final rule must comply with the reporting requirements of Section 2064(b) of Title 15 of the United States Code. The CSRC has the right to order importers, manufacturers, and Distributors and retailers provide consumers with suggestions for repairing wires, replacing wires, or refunding them. Illegal wires are not allowed to be shipped into the United States and will be intercepted and confiscated by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency. (Hong Kong Trade Development Council)