SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, has published SafeGuardS 010.24 to provide stakeholders with an overview of Australia’s prohibition on several persistent organic pollutants (POP).

The amendment – Industrial Chemicals Environment Management (Register) Amendment (2023 Measures No. 1) Instrument 2023 – adds the following POP to Schedules 6 and 7 of the Industrial Chemicals Environment Management (Register) Instrument 2022 (IChEMS Register). Chemicals under these schedules are considered the highest environment concern and therefore have tighter controls.

Chemicals added:

Schedule 6 – likely to cause serious or irreversible harm to the environment with essential uses:
- Nona- and decaBDE

Schedule 7 – same characteristics as Schedule 6, but with no essential uses:
-Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD)
-Tetrabromodiphenyl ether (tetraBDE) and pentaBDE
- Hexa-, hepta- and octaBDE
- Pentachlorobenzene (PeCB)Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), its salts and PFOA-related compounds
- Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), its salts, perfluorooctanesulfonyl fluoride (PFOS-F) and PFOS-related compounds
- Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), its salts and PFHxS-related compounds
- Short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCP)

These prohibitions will be implemented in phases, starting in July 2024. 

SGS publishes SafeGuardS to keep stakeholders informed about regulatory changes that may impact their business. SafeGuardS 010.24 summarizes the impact the designation of these chemicals as Schedule 6 or 7 chemicals will have on businesses. It includes a table highlighting several provisions on the presence of the substance/substance class as an unintentional trace contaminant under the amendment.

Stakeholders are advised to review SGS’s original SafeGuardS 010.24 for more details.

SGS Chemical Testing
SGS offers a comprehensive range of testing services to help manufacturers and suppliers ensure their products are safe and comply with national and international regulations concerning harmful chemicals. In the end, it’s only trusted because it’s tested. Learn more about SGS Chemical Testing Services.

SGS SafeGuardS keep you up to date with the latest news and developments in the consumer goods industry. Read the full Australia Bans Several POP Chemicals SafeGuardS.

Subscribe here to receive SGS SafeGuardS direct to your inbox.

For further information contact:

Dr. HingWo Tsang
Global Information and Innovation Manager
Tel: (+852) 2774 7420
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: www.sgs.com/cp
LinkedIn: SGS Connectivity & Products

About SGS
We are SGS – the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company. We are recognized as the global benchmark for sustainability, quality and integrity. Our 98,000 employees operate a network of 2,650 offices and laboratories, working together to enable a better, safer and more interconnected world

Kennesaw, GA – If thinking about moving breaks you out into a cold sweat, don’t worry. Atlanta Moving Solutions can take the strains and stress out of any residential or commercial move thanks to their proactive, professional approach.

Atlanta Moving Solutions is a family-owned company offering professional moving and storage services. Their team is experienced in the moving process and is always committed to exceeding customer expectations on a daily basis.

Its approach is to utilize fully trained team leaders while local college students undergo technical training before they are dispatched to their first move. 

“We pride ourselves on a professional job well done, and that is underpinned by having repeat customers,” said a company spokesman. Whether you need residential or commercial moves, the Kennesaw, GA, company serves surrounding areas, such as Acworth, Woodstock, Marietta, and the rest of metro Atlanta.

“When you trust us with your belongings, we take full responsibility for their safety. We’ll provide you with a seamless experience, paying close attention to even the smallest details to ensure that your items are not damaged in our care.”

If you require local movers or even piano movers, you know that Atlanta Moving Solutions can deliver an efficient, customer-focused service.

They are recognized as senior moving service providers offering specialized services tailored to aging individuals to ensure every part of the move is taken care of. Atlanta Moving Solutions will offer the assistance of a certified CRTS professional or a senior moving specialist and offer packing, unpacking, and transportation services.

Atlanta Moving Solutions can also take the hassle out of your local moving process as they offer affordable moving services and stay within your budget.

They also provide specific services for businesses of all sizes. Commercial moves often involve business equipment, machinery, larger pieces of furniture, and electronics, but Atlanta Moving Services has the expertise and teams to ensure a seamless relocation.

From your everyday person and family to military personnel, government officials, corporations and businesses, NBA and NFL players, NASCAR drivers, single moms, bachelors, elderly, and young professionals, the company has even assisted in moving spouses embroiled in nasty divorces. 

Their services have garnered five-star testimonials from clients over the last 20 years. To schedule an appointment, contact 770-485-8384 or visit https://www.atlantamovingsolutions.com/ for more details.

SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, publishes SafeGuardS summarizing three communiqués issued by the Turkish authorities relating to import inspections for toys and other consumer goods.

The Turkish Ministry of Trade issued the three communiqués on December 31, 2023. They relate to the control of imports via the Risk-Based Control System for Foreign Trade (TAREKS), a system for electronically conducting safety and quality inspections on imported (and exported) goods.

They are:
- Communiqué on Import Control of Toys (Product Safety and Inspection: 2024/10)
- Communiqué on Import Control of Consumer Products (Product Safety and Inspection: 2024/12)
- Communiqué on Import Control of Maternity and Baby Products (Product Safety and Inspection: 2024/17)

SGS publishes SafeGuardS to keep stakeholders informed about regulatory and market changes that may impact their business. SafeGuardS 004.24 has been published to provide an overview of the three communiqués. It includes details of the types of products within the scope of Communiqué 2024/17 and examples of the products covered under Communiqué 2024/12.

Stakeholders are advised to review SGS’s original SafeGuardS 004.24 for more details.

The three communiqués became effective on January 1, 2024.

SGS Toy & Juvenile Product Services
SGS offers a wide range of services to ensure that products comply with relevant standards for childcare articles and children’s equipment. They provide consulting, training, product development, testing, audit and inspection services to ensure that products comply with strict regulations worldwide, demonstrating the safety and quality of juvenile products being brought to the market. After all, it’s only trusted because it’s tested. Learn more about SGS’s Toy & Juvenile Product Services.

SGS SafeGuardS keep you up to date with the latest news and developments in the consumer goods industry. Read the full Turkey Issues Import Control Communiques for Toys and Other Products SafeGuardS.

Subscribe here to receive SGS SafeGuardS direct to your inbox.

For further information contact:

Dr. HingWo Tsang
Global Information and Innovation Manager
Tel: (+852) 2774 7420

Uğur Yilmaz
Hardlines and C&H Customer Services Section Head
Tel: +90 212 368 40 00 – 4441

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: www.sgs.com/hardlines
LinkedIn: SGS Connectivity & Products

About SGS
We are SGS – the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company. We are recognized as the global benchmark for sustainability, quality and integrity. Our 98,000 employees operate a network of 2,650 offices and laboratories, working together to enable a better, safer and more interconnected world.

The award-winning PR agency, MACIAS PR, has announced that City & State Magazine has named its founder Mark Macias to their 2024 Political PR Power List.

City & State Magazine is a premier multimedia news organization that covers New York local and state politics and policy. Every year, the publication recognizes and ranks the top PR agencies and publicists based on the firm’s size, reputation, clients and impact on the New York state political sphere.

In the words from their article, “What unites them is that they all are consummate PR pros.”

Macias is a former Executive Producer with NBC and Senior Producer with CBS in New York. He founded the agency in 2009 after a successful journalism career at the local and national levels. 

“There are many larger PR agencies on this list, but that’s not who we aim to be,” said Macias. “We have no desire to become the biggest agency with the largest client roster. We just want to be the best PR agency, develop long-term relationships with our clients and deliver consistent results with the media.”

MACIAS PR has led media and branding campaigns for clients across tech, politics, health and nonprofit industries, but places a larger emphasis on health care. Noom, Meru Health, Lifesum, WellRx, Columbia University Medical Center, Burke Hospital and Kilo Health are just a few of their more prominent health tech clients.

Case Study on Health Tech Branding Campaign

MACIAS PR began leading Noom’s media strategy in 2016 when few consumers had heard of the weight loss management program. But within three years, Noom was a household name with their story appearing on the NBC Today Show, Washington Post, CNN, US News, Inc Magazine, Business Insider and others. Macias worked closely with Noom’s founders to develop their branding and media strategy.  

In 2023, Macias also launched and led the branding campaign for the United Nations former Executive Secretary Patricia Espinosa Cantellano. The Secretary was transitioning out of her role with the UN and turned to MACIAS PR for help in creating a brand with the private sector.

“It's a heartening validation when staff members from the former UN Executive Secretary reach out to you and ask for help,” said Macias. “The Ambassador knows nearly every powerful leader around the world, and had her choice of agencies and communications people. I’m extremely humbled she chose us to help share her personal story and message.”

MACIAS PR also played a pivotal role in 2023 with the growth of the New York-based nonprofit, NPower. The agency began working with NPower in 2016 when it was primarily a New York/New Jersey-based nonprofit. Over the course of 7 years, Macias helped the nonprofit expand to new states and regions by generating media coverage. Last year, NPower expanded into San Antonio, Houston, Raleigh-Durham and Dayton, Ohio. MACIAS PR secured media coverage in each of these markets, helping the nonprofit elevator their profile within the local community. You can see the 2023 media coverage here.

“I’m proud of the prominent media coverage we have secured for our clients with the WSJ, FT, NY Times, CNBC and CNN,” said Macias. “But the biggest achievement last year didn’t involve the media or clients. It was the birth of my daughter in August. She’s brought a new perspective to our business, and that makes me a better media strategist, entrepreneur and relationship builder.”