Category: United States

Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) Guide for Importers and Manufacturers

Posted on by Yvette Shen — Leave a comment

Generally Recognized As Safe
The US FDA designates substances as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) if experts have determined via scientific processes that said substances do not pose any inherent health risks. Substances that are GRAS can be found on the FDA’s Food Additives Status List.

This guide covers what GRAS is, food ingredients that have been sanctioned before the implementation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetics (FD&C) Act, and which direct and indirect food substances are affirmed as GRAS.

Continue reading Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) Guide for Importers and Manufacturers

How often should a product be lab tested?

Posted on by John Vinod Khiatani — Leave a comment

Lab testing frequency

Are you an importer or a manufacturer looking to test your product? Whether you need to identify the chemical composition of your product or you want to assess if your product meets the relevant safety requirements, ‘laboratory testing’ should be considered.

That being said, lab testing is not necessarily a “one and done” thing. For starters, you can expect that you will need to re-arrange testing if you ever change materials, components, make design changes, or manufacturer. It is also necessary to re-test products as standards are amended, and new standards are implemented.

However, some regulations require that you go one step further and implement a periodic lab testing program – even without any such changes.

This article presents information relating to how frequently lab testing should be done. In addressing the question, we compare several US and EU product regulations. This includes the CPSIA and FCC 47 CFR Part 15 in the US, and the Toy Safety and the EMC Directive in the EU.

Continue reading How often should a product be lab tested?

Furniture Regulations in the United States: A Complete Guide

Posted on by Yvette Shen — 4 Comments

Furniture Regulations in the United States

Are you planning to manufacture, import, or sell furniture in the United States? In this guide, we cover regulations and standards that apply to various types of furniture in the United States. Such products include wooden furniture, children’s furniture, upholstered furniture, and more.

This includes the Lacey Act, CPSIA, fire safety standards, and California Proposition 65.
Continue reading Furniture Regulations in the United States: A Complete Guide

List of Products Covered by California Proposition 65: An Overview

Posted on by Yvette Shen — 11 Comments

California Proposition 65 regulates chemicals and heavy metals in consumer products sold in the state of California. More specifically, California Proposition 65  applies to consumer products, such as apparel and textiles, jewelry, accessories, and home products.

In this guide, we list some of the products and materials covered by California Proposition 65 and highlight associated substance risks.

Product List Creation Methodology

In this guide, we only list products that are mentioned on www.p65warnings.ca.gov. The website either mentions:

a. Specific product categories (e.g. “motor vehicle parts”), or

b. Specific substances (e.g. lead and lead compounds) and, for each substance, examples of products that might contain it (e.g. ceramic dishes)

Continue reading List of Products Covered by California Proposition 65: An Overview

UL 1642 Lithium Batteries Standard: An Overview

Posted on by Yvette Shen — 2 Comments

UL 1642

UL 1642 covers rechargeable and non-rechargeable lithium batteries that includes at least one electrochemical cell that contains either:

  • Metallic lithium
  • Lithium alloy
  • Lithium-ions

In this guide, we cover different aspects concerning UL 1642. This includes information about the standard’s product scope and requirements, lab testing, and where it is possible to buy the standard

Notice that this guide is written only based on publicly available information on this page. You need to buy the standard in order to access the contents of UL 1642.
Continue reading UL 1642 Lithium Batteries Standard: An Overview

UL 891 Switchboards Standard: An Overview

Posted on by Yvette Shen — Leave a comment

UL 891
UL 891 covers switchboards, which are electrical devices that distribute electrical energy from one or more main sources to different load circuits.

In this guide, we explain what importers and manufacturers must know about UL 891, including its scope, where you can purchase UL 891, and information about laboratory testing.

Notice that this guide is written only based on publicly available information on this page. You need to buy the standard in order to access the contents of UL 891.
Continue reading UL 891 Switchboards Standard: An Overview

UL 9540 Energy Storage Systems Standard: An Overview

Posted on by Yvette Shen — Leave a comment

ul 9540
UL 9540 covers energy storage systems and equipment. In this guide, we explain what importers and brands must know about this standard, including its scope, maximum energy capacity requirements, and lab testing.

Notice that this guide is written only based on publicly available information on this page. You need to buy the standard in order to access the contents of UL 9540.
Continue reading UL 9540 Energy Storage Systems Standard: An Overview

ASTM F2413 Protective Footwear Standard: An Overview

Posted on by Yvette Shen — 1 Comment

ASTM F2413
ASTM F2413 covers safety and performance requirements for protective footwear intended to protect wearers against potential workplace hazards. In this guide, we explain what manufacturers, importers, and brands must know about ASTM F2413, including its product scope, requirements, and lab testing.

Notice that this guide is written only based on publicly available information on this page. You need to buy the standard in order to access the contents of ASTM F2413.
Continue reading ASTM F2413 Protective Footwear Standard: An Overview

ASTM F2923 Children’s Jewelry Standard: An Overview

Posted on by Yvette Shen — 2 Comments

ASTM F2923

ASTM F2923 covers safety requirements for children’s jewelry. In this guide, we explain what importers and manufacturers must know about this standard, including its product scope, labeling requirements, and lab testing.

We also explain whether or not compliance with ASTM F2923 is mandatory when importing or manufacturing children’s jewelry in the United States.

Notice that this guide is written only based on publicly available information on this page. You need to buy the standard in order to access the contents of ASTM F2923.
Continue reading ASTM F2923 Children’s Jewelry Standard: An Overview

ASTM D4236 Labeling & Testing Requirements: An Overview

Posted on by Yvette Shen — Leave a comment

ASTM D4236

ASTM D4236 covers labeling requirements for art materials that might pose potential chronic health hazards. In this guide, we explain what importers, manufacturers and brands must know about this ASTM D4236, including its product scope, requirements, and testing.

Notice that this guide is written only based on publicly available information on this page. You need to buy the standard in order to access the contents of ASTM D4236.
Continue reading ASTM D4236 Labeling & Testing Requirements: An Overview