The U.S. Consumer Protection Safety
Commission (CPSC) has released guidance to help industry stakeholders understand
the current regulatory requirements for products that are in high demand
because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The current health crisis means a wide range
of products are not only in high demand but are also being consumed beyond
their typical usage. Product types included in the guidance include:
- Face
coverings - Face
shields - Gowns
- Gloves
- Disinfectants
and cleaning products
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The document covers regulatory
requirements relating to flammability – the CPSC classifies face coverings,
gowns and gloves as “articles of wearing apparel” and so they must comply with
the requirements in the ‘Flammable Fabrics Act’. SGS lists the exemptions in
SafeGuard 171/20.
It also covers the requirements relating
to children’s products (12 and under) – face coverings, gowns and gloves must
also comply with the labeling, testing and certification requirements of the
Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA). They must meet the following requirements:
- Bear
permanent tracking information - Total lead
content limits (unless material exempted by 16 CFR 1500.91(d)(7)(i) - Lead in
paint/similar surface coating limits
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For face shields:
- Non-medical
use – subject to CPSC requirements - Children’s
product – CPSIA requirements - Medical use
– under the jurisdiction of the U.S. FDA
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Finally, for disinfectant and cleaning
products, the guidance notes that these come under a variety of agency
jurisdictions, depending on the product. In addition, certain household
products must have child-safe packaging, as per the Poison Prevention Packaging
Act (PPPA).
For more information on the stipulations
relating to the requirements regarding testing laboratories, certification, and
the agency jurisdiction for certain disinfectant and cleaning products, read
SGS SafeGuard 171/20.
SGS Medical PPE Services
SGS offers a full range of
services to help manufacturers and suppliers of medical PPE deliver high
quality, safe, and compliant products to markets around the world. Learn more
about SGS Medical PPE
Services.
SGS SafeGuardS keep you up to date with the
latest news and developments in the consumer goods industry. Read the full U.S.
CPSC Releases Guidance for COVID-19 Products SafeGuardS.
Subscribe here to receive SGS SafeGuardS direct to your inbox.
For further information contact:
Matthew McGarrity
Senior Technical Manager
Tel: +1 (973) 461 1505
Email: crs.media@sgs.com
Website: www.sgs.com/hardlines
LinkedIn: sgs-consumer-goods-&-retail
About SGS
SGS is the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and
certification company. SGS is recognized as the global benchmark for quality
and integrity. With more than 89,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over
2,600 offices and laboratories around the world.