Geneva (March 3, 2025) – SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, has published SafeGuardS 032.25, highlighting a proposed amendment to the US state of Washington’s prohibition on lead in cookware. One highlight of the proposal includes the exclusion of inaccessible components and certain appliances.

Cookware nowadays typically only has lead present as a contaminant but can still be intentionally added in some instances, e.g. as a pigment in glazes. Serious health issues, including neurological damage and developmental delays in children, can be caused when it leaches into food.

Washington became the first US state to restrict lead in cookware when HB 1551 became law in March 2024. This new law, codified under Chapter 70A.565 RCW, bans cookware with a lead content above 5 ppm and becomes effective on January 1, 2026.

Published on January 31, 2025, the proposed amendment, HB 1756, specifies the addition of utensils to the scope of the prohibition, and the exclusion of inaccessible components and certain large appliances.

SGS experts publish SafeGuardS to keep stakeholders informed about regulatory changes that could impact their business. SafeGuardS 032.25 includes a helpful table summarizing the proposed amendments to Chapter 70A.565 RCW.

Stakeholders are encouraged to refer to the original SafeGuardS 032.25 for more details.

SGS food contact material services
SGS’s technical experts have extensive experience of testing materials and articles in contact with food. They can ensure that your products meet the appropriate regulations for food contact materials and pave the way for compliance. SGS offers the full range of testing, including migration tests, along with expert advice on emerging regulations, compliance issues and documentation review. In the end, it’s only trusted because it’s tested. Learn more about SGS’s food contact material services.

SGS SafeGuardS keep you up to date with the latest news and developments in the consumer goods industry. Read the full Washington, USA, Proposes Amendment to Its Lead in Cookware Prohibition SafeGuardS.

Subscribe today and receive SGS SafeGuardS direct to your inbox.

For further information contact:

Melanie Tamayo
Senior Technical Manager, North America
Tel: +1 (312) 414-9394

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

Website: http://www.sgs.com/hardlines
LinkedIn: SGS Connectivity & Products

About SGS
SGS is the world’s leading Testing, Inspection and Certification company. We operate a network of over 2,500 laboratories and business facilities across 115 countries, supported by a team of 99,500 dedicated professionals. With over 145 years of service excellence, we combine the precision and accuracy that define Swiss companies to help organizations achieve the highest standards of quality, compliance and sustainability.

Our brand promise – when you need to be sure – underscores our commitment to trust, integrity and reliability, enabling businesses to thrive with confidence. We proudly deliver our expert services through the SGS name and trusted specialized brands, including Brightsight, Bluesign, Maine Pointe and Nutrasource.

SGS is publicly traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange under the ticker symbol SGSN

Greensboro, North Carolina - March 1st, 2025 – JunkEez is proud to announce the official launch of North Carolina’s premier junk removal directory, designed to connect homeowners, businesses, and property managers with trusted, professional, and eco-friendly junk removal services across the state.

With a mission to make junk removal fast, simple, and stress-free, JunkEez provides a one-stop online directory where users can quickly find licensed, insured, and highly-rated junk removal providers for everything from furniture and appliance disposal to yard waste cleanup and full property cleanouts.

A Smarter Way to Find Junk Removal Services

JunkEez eliminates the hassle of searching for reliable junk removal providers by offering an easy-to-use directory featuring verified, professional companies in North Carolina. Users can browse by location and service type, ensuring they find the best provider for their specific needs.

Whether decluttering a home, handling a rental cleanout, or managing commercial waste removal, JunkEez provides a fast and efficient way to connect with the right service provider for any job.

Committed to Eco-Friendly Junk Removal

Unlike other directories, JunkEez prioritizes sustainability by featuring companies that focus on responsible disposal, recycling, and donation efforts—helping to reduce landfill waste and promote environmentally friendly junk removal practices.

By choosing a provider through JunkEez, users can feel confident that their unwanted items are being handled responsibly, whether through recycling, donation, or eco-conscious disposal methods.

Comprehensive Junk Removal Services

JunkEez covers a wide range of junk removal categories, including:

• Furniture & Appliance Removal
• Electronics & E-Waste Disposal
• Construction & Renovation Debris Cleanup
• Yard Waste & Storm Debris Removal
• Property & Estate Cleanouts
• Roll-Off Dumpster Rentals

This specialized focus ensures that users find the most qualified professionals for their specific junk removal needs—without the frustration of sorting through generic service marketplaces.

Designed for Convenience & Speed

Instead of spending hours searching online or making phone calls, users can visit JunkEez and instantly find a reliable, local junk removal expert in just a few clicks.

The platform is designed to provide a seamless experience, making it easier than ever for North Carolina residents and businesses to schedule stress-free, efficient junk removal services.

Revolutionizing the Junk Removal Industry in North Carolina

JunkEez is not just another service directory—it is a game-changer for junk removal in North Carolina.

• What JunkEez is: A comprehensive, online junk removal directory dedicated to North Carolina.
• Why it matters: It streamlines the process of finding licensed, insured, and eco-conscious junk removal professionals.
• Who it benefits: Homeowners, businesses, landlords, property managers, and contractors.
• How it works: Users can search by location and service type, find trusted providers, and schedule services hassle-free.
• Commitment to sustainability: JunkEez prioritizes recycling and donation efforts to reduce landfill waste.
• Why it’s different: Unlike generic service marketplaces, JunkEez is dedicated solely to junk removal, ensuring users find specialized, high-quality providers.

If you have any questions or are interested in using JunkEez then visit their website at https://junkeez.net/ !

EVERETT, WA – March 4, 2025 – TOV Restoration is a leading name in property restoration and remodeling in Everett, Washington and surrounding areas. Recently, they have added additional services to their comprehensive array of offerings, but they have also expanded to reach more of Washington with these various services. In their expansion, TOV Restoration seeks to provide homeowners and businesses with the options they need to recover from water, flood, fire, smoke damage, and more.

TOV Restoration offers these services across many different communities in Washington in order to provide local expertise to a wider area. The company is now serving Seattle, Bellevue, Everett, Tacoma, Lynnwood, Auburn, Redmond, Kirkland, Edmonds, and Bothell with all of their available services, from remodeling to damage restoration. They are well-known for their commitment to offering quick, professional, and compassionate services for all of your needs, especially when disaster strikes.

“We understand just how devastating and overwhelming facing any type of property damage can be,” says a rep from TOV Restoration. “Our expert teams are equipped to handle these disasters as well as your hopes for remodeling and renovation in your home. Being a one stop shop opens the door for us to better serve our customers through the good times and the bad times.”

The company hopes that by extending the services they offer as well as their reach on their coverage map, they can help more people get the services they need to care for their homes and businesses. With an ever growing demand for disaster recovery services as well as having a reputable and reliable team to handle your remodeling plans, they hope to stand in that gap and provide help to many cities throughout Washington.

For years, TOV Restoration has provided a wide variety of needs so that property owners can count on local, trustworthy care when they need it most. The company uses cutting edge technology and advanced techniques, paired with their expertise, to ensure you get the results you deserve in your space. The company wishes to reiterate they are a one stop shop that will support you in everything from basic remodeling to recovering from a disaster that leaves behind damages like water, smoke, mold, and more. They will get you taken care of in any of the cities they serve.

For more information about TOV Restoration, you can visit their website at https://www.tovrestoration.com/. For any questions about their services or their new service areas or to get an estimate for the work you need done, reach out directly to the company. 

Geneva (February 24, 2025) – SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, invites cosmetic and topical medicinal product manufacturers to an expert-led webinar, ‘Innovation in Skin Science: Testing Methods for Barrier Function and Product Tolerability’.

This exclusive webinar will highlight cutting-edge advancements in skin analysis, including Raman spectroscopy and LC-OCT, which offer unmatched insights into skin composition and product efficacy. Additionally, key testing methods such as transepidermal water loss (TEWL), Lipbarvis®, microbiome analysis and hydrolipid layer assessments will be covered, demonstrating their critical role in scientifically validating product performance.

In today’s fast-evolving and highly regulated markets, ensuring product safety and efficacy is more important than ever. This webinar will empower manufacturers with actionable knowledge to develop safer, high-performing products while meeting regulatory requirements and fostering consumer trust. Attendees will also gain valuable insights into tools like patch testing and application studies, which are crucial for assessing skin tolerance and compatibility.

Taking place on March 6, 2025, at 4:00 pm CET, the webinar will be hosted by Dr Dörte Segger, Laboratory and Customer Service Manager at SGS Institut Fresenius; Natascha Hennighausen, Scientific Manager, SGS; and Sandra Bleckwenn, Sales Manager, SGS. It is open to all professionals in the cosmetic and topical medicinal product industry who are committed to achieving product excellence and sustaining market growth.

Register now

About SGS
SGS is the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company. We operate a network of over 2,700 laboratories and business facilities across 119 countries, supported by a team of 99,250 dedicated professionals. With over 145 years of service excellence, we combine the precision and accuracy that define Swiss companies to help organizations achieve the highest standards of quality, safety and compliance.

Our brand promise, when you need to be sure, underscores our commitment to reliability, integrity and trust — enabling businesses to thrive with confidence. We proudly deliver our expert services through the SGS name and trusted specialized brands, including Brightsight, bluesign, Maine Pointe and Nutrasource.

SGS is publicly traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange under the ticker symbol SGSN (ISIN CH0002497458, Reuters SGSN.S, Bloomberg SGSN:SW).