Geneva (June 12, 2025) – SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, has published SafeGuardS 073.25, summarizing the European Commission’s adoption of the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) and the 2025-2030 Energy Labeling Working Plan, adopted on April 16, 2025.

Geneva (June 12, 2025) – SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, is leading the charge on food waste with the launch today of a new partnership with The PLEDGE on Food Waste, a certification program aimed at food service providers around the world.

The PLEDGE on Food Waste certification, is an innovative global certification program uniquely designed to empower the world’s hotel and restaurant groups, catering businesses and corporate kitchens to reduce their food waste.

Through the certification, which aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 12.3 to halve global food waste at the retail and consumer levels by 2030, organizations will be encouraged to join a growing community of responsible food service providers making a difference. Those taking part can expect to reap multiple benefits, most significantly through cost savings and a strengthening of their sustainability credentials amongst green-minded consumers.

Evangelia Komitopoulou, PhD, Food Customized Solutions & CSR, Global Manager at SGS, said: “We know that food waste poses a significant environmental, social and economic challenge and we wanted to help businesses take meaningful steps to measure and reduce waste throughout their operations.

“Our partnership with The PLEDGE on Food Waste provides the food service and hospitality industry with a robust, globally recognized certification framework that helps turn sustainability ambitions into measureable results.” 

The PLEDGE, now offered through SGS as part of the SGS IMPACT NOW for sustainability commitment, offers a practical and proven framework to support organizations on their sustainability journey. SGS, as the independent third-party certification body, leverages its global credibility and expertise in food safety and sustainability. The service includes:
- Pre-audit gap assessments and tailored onboarding support
- Certification audits conducted by trained auditors
- Global scalability and local presence for multi-site operators
- Alignment with existing sustainability programs and regulatory expectations
- Ability to integrate The PLEDGE on Food Waste certification audits with food safety and hygiene programs, streamlining processes and maximizing efficiencies

To learn more about the certification process and how to get started, visit sgs.com

About The PLEDGE on Food Waste
The PLEDGE on Food Waste is the leading global food waste certification. It was designed in 2018 by combining all existing best practices identified across the hospitality industry. The PLEDGE offers a comprehensive methodology for food waste prevention, built on 7 pillars and 95 criteria, providing a holistic approach to reducing food waste. The PLEDGE methodology aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2, 12, 13, and 17.

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 throu

Geneva (June 9, 2025) – SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, has published SafeGuardS 070.25, summarizing the European Commission’s 2024 annual notification report on food contact materials (FCMs).

Released in May 2025, the 2024 Annual Report: Alert & Cooperation Network (ACN) provides a detailed overview of information shared between EU Member States on official controls in food and FCMs.

According to the report:
- FCM notifications accounted for 3% (257 cases) of total ACN alerts, with 70% related to potential health risks
- Major issues included the migration of hazardous substances such as formaldehyde, phthalates and primary aromatic amines (PAA)
- Additional concerns were raised over unauthorized materials (e.g. bamboo in plasticware), coating detachment, metal corrosion and incomplete or missing declarations of compliance

The most frequently reported product categories were kitchenware and tableware, single-use items and food packaging materials.

SGS publishes SafeGuardS to help stakeholders stay informed of critical regulatory developments. SafeGuardS 070.25 includes tables summarizing the main product types affected and the most reported migrating substances.

Stakeholders are encouraged to review the full SafeGuardS 070.25 for further 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 European Commission Issues 2024 Report on Food Contact Material Notifications SafeGuardS.

Subscribe today and receive SGS SafeGuardS direct to your inbox.

For further information contact:

Dr. HingWo Tsang
Global Information and Innovation Manager
Tel: +852 2774 7420
Website: 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 (ISIN CH1256740924, Reuters SGSN.S, Bloomberg SGSN:SW).

Geneva (June 9, 2025) – SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, has published SafeGuardS 071.25, covering the ‘Regulations Amending the Energy Efficiency Regulations, 2016 (Amendment 18): SOR/2025-110’ as published in the Canada Gazette, Part II, Volume 159, Number 8. 

Amendment 18 introduces significant changes to the regulatory landscape for energy-using products in Canada. Key developments include the addition of new product categories and revisions to existing energy efficiency and testing requirements. It also expands the use of ambulatory incorporation with reference to US standards and allows for future harmonization through Ministerial Regulations.

Newly regulated products include air compressors, faucets, line voltage thermostats, pool pumps and showerheads, with requirements phased in between January and July 2026.

Revised requirements apply to existing categories such as:
- Room and central air conditioners
- Heat pumps
- Gas and oil-fired water heaters
- Electric water heaters
- General service lamps

SGS experts publish SafeGuardS to keep stakeholders informed of regulatory changes that may impact their business operations. SafeGuardS 071.25 provides a detailed summary of Amendment 18 and its implications for manufacturers, importers and retailers operating in the Canadian market.

Stakeholders are encouraged to review the original SafeGuardS 071.25 for full details.

SGS Connectivity Services

Our comprehensive total solution services for electrical and electronic products, delivered through a global network of accredited testing laboratories, help manufacturers and retailers access expert support at every stage of the product life cycle – from design and production to regulatory compliance, imports and exports. After all, it’s only trusted because it’s tested. Learn more about SGS’s Connectivity services.

SGS SafeGuardS keep you up to date with the latest news and developments in the consumer goods industry. Read the full Canadian Government Expands Energy Efficiency Regulations with Amendment 18 SafeGuardS.

Subscribe today and receive SGS SafeGuardS direct to your inbox.

For further information contact:

Martin Dodd
Staff Engineer, Energy Efficiency & Performance
Tel: 1 770 570 1802
Website: www.sgs.com/ee
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 (ISIN CH1256740924, Reuters SGSN.S, Bloomberg SGSN:SW).

Geneva (June 9, 2025) – SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, has published SafeGuardS 072.25, summarizing the recent final regulation issued by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts under the law known as Chapter 261 of the Acts of 2020. This rule restricts the use of 11 specified flame retardants (FRs) in five categories of consumer products.

The final version of the regulation, officially titled ‘310 CMR 78.00: Ban of Covered Products Containing Certain Flame Retardants’, was announced on May 9, 2025. It marks the culmination of a regulatory process that began in 2021 with the adoption of H4900. The law prohibits the sale, manufacture, distribution or importation of specified ‘covered products’ containing listed FRs above a threshold of 1,000 ppm per component, unless exempted.

The term ‘covered product’ applies to bedding, carpeting, children’s products, residential upholstered furniture and indoor window treatments. Notably, the final regulations introduce several clarifications, including definitions for terms such as ‘chemical analogue’ and ‘retailer’, and requirements for recordkeeping, labeling and the prohibition of engineered nano-object forms of FRs.

SGS publishes SafeGuardS to keep stakeholders informed of important regulatory updates affecting consumer products. SafeGuardS 072.25 also outlines exemptions and compliance deadlines and provides a summary of affected substances, including antimony trioxide, TCPP, TCEP and PentaBDE.

Stakeholders are encouraged to review the full SafeGuardS 072.25 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 Massachusetts, USA, Issues Final Regulations for Law Banning Covered Products Containing Certain Flame Retardants SafeGuardS.

Subscribe today and receive SGS SafeGuardS direct to your inbox.

For further information contact:

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

Melanie Tamayo
Senior Technical Manager, SGS NA
Tel: +1 312 414 9394

Website: 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 (ISIN CH1256740924, Reuters SGSN.S, Bloomberg SGSN:SW).