Colombia Establishes New Technical Regulation for Food Contact Glass and Ceramics

Colombia has published a resolution to establish a technical regulation covering tableware and articles of glass, ceramic and glass-ceramic that are intended to come into contact with food. It also covers ceramic cookware.

The Ministry of Health and Social Protection published Resolution No. 1440/2021 in September 2021. It has several provisions, including:

  • List of HS codes for products that are within scope are provided, with clarification that the characteristics of a product will also be considered for determining whether it falls within scope
  • Exemptions defined, including personal belongings as established by the National Tax and Customs Directorate and articles for decorative purposes, but such articles are obliged to have a label, sticker, marking or permanent marking indicating ‘Producto decorative, no apto para contacto con alimentos’ (Decorative products, not suitable for food contact’)
  • Standards and migration requirements for lead and cadmium defined:
    • NTC ISO 6486 Parts 1 and 2
    • NTC ISO 7086 Parts 1 and 2
    • NTC ISO 8391 Parts 1 and 2
  • Parts 1 and 2 to ISO 6486, ISO 7086 and ISO 8391 accepted as equivalent to the corresponding NTC standards in the point above
  • Labeling requirements must be in Spanish (without prejudice to other languages) for product labels (Article 6)
  • Sampling must be carried out in accordance with ISO 2859-1 at the inspection level that is determined by the Certification Body (CB)
  • Product certificate of conformity (CoC) must be issued under Scheme 1b (batch), 4 or 5
  • Testing to be carried out by laboratories that are ISO/IEC 17025 accredited by the National Accreditation Body of Colombia (ONAC), or by a laboratory accredited by an Accreditation Body belonging to the Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRA) of the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC)
  • Products must have a CoC that is issued by a CB accredited by ONAC, or an Accreditation Body belonging to the Multilateral Recognition Agreements (MRA) of the International Accreditation Forum (IAF), of which the ONAC is a signatory
  • Declaration of conformity (DoC) accepted in accordance with ISO/IEC 17050 Parts 1 and 2 for domestic manufacturers and importers until at least one CB has been accredited by ONAC:
    • DoC will only be valid for 30 days from the date of the accreditation of the first CB
  • Clarifies that products manufactured and imported under Resolution 1893/2019, extended by Resolution 1163/2020, are obliged to demonstrate compliance with the new Resolution

To see the ‘permissible release limits of lead and cadmium in ceramic, glass-ceramic and glass dinnerware in contact with food’ with testing according to NTC ISO 6486, NTC ISO 7086 and NTC ISO 8391, see SGS’s original SafeGuard 143/21.

The new resolution will come into effect on March 20, 2022.

SGS Food Contact Materials 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 Materials Services. 

SGS SafeGuardS keep you up to date with the latest news and developments in the consumer goods industry. Read the full Colombia Issues Resolution for Food Contact Glass and Ceramics 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

Camilo E. Ramírez R

Certification Director - SGS COLOMBIA S.A.S

Tel: +57 1 606 92 92

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Website: www.sgs.com/hardlines

LinkedIn: sgs-consumer-goods-&-retail

About SGS

We are SGS – the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company. We are recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. Our 93,000 employees operate a network of 2,600 offices and laboratories, working together to enable a better, safer and more interconnected world.

New Book by Veronica Carrera

New York, NY – ADELAIDE BOOKS is proud to present the latest work by Veronica Carrera: 140 Miles of Life: A Remarkable Journey to Self-Acceptance & Love

 

All hell breaks loose the moment Veronica Carrera, a leader in the Mormon church, falls in love with a fellow female student at Brigham Young University. Battling her innate feelings, the devout missionary confesses her temptations to the Bishop in a futile attempt to hold tight to her spiritual home.

After her church shuns her, a shocked Veronica embarks on the toughest one-day endurance race in the world to reclaim her power, inadvertently beginning a much more important, internal journey of healing and self-love.

This inspiring memoir will have you cheering for Veronica as she embarks on a journey to dig deep, believe in herself and defy all limits by competing in the 140-mile Ironman race.

140-Miles to Self-Acceptance and Love tells the story of overcoming childhood and religious trauma as a queer, brown-skinned immigrant. It also issues a clarion call to recognize the realities that drive far too many LGBTQ youth and adults to commit suicide under shame from their churches and families.

Veronica’s story of triumphing over adversity, not only offers hope and inspiration for readers to discover true inner wisdom and acceptance but may save lives!

 

Veronica Carrera holds a B.A. in French from Brigham Young University and an M.B.A. from Cornell's Johnson Graduate School of Management, where she was honored as “The 2015 Best Executive EMBA.” She recently completed the Inner M.B.A. (conscious leadership program) at New York University and is currently pursuing a Life Coaching certification with Jay Shetty.

She is an avid triathlete and passionate advocate for human rights, a highly sought-after speaker and a successful sales leader at one of the top tech companies in the world. She is also the creator/producer of the LinkedIn Live show 30 Minutes of Wisdom-Rising in Consciousness & Mindfulness.

 

Title:  140 Miles of Life: A Remarkable Journey to Self-Acceptance & Love
Author:  Veronica Carrera
Publisher: Adelaide Books
Publisher Website: https://adelaidebooks.org/
Publisher Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
ISBN:    978-1956635041
Price:  $22.30
Page Count:  318 pages
Formats: Paperbac 

Description of the company: ADELAIDE BOOKS LLC is a New York based independent company dedicated to publishing literary fiction and creative nonfiction. It was founded in July 2017 as an imprint of the Adelaide Literary Magazine, with the aim to facilitate publishing of novels, memoirs, and collections of short stories, poems, and essays by contributing authors of our magazine and other qualified writers.

New Patient Analysis Finds - Those Who Stick With Diabetes Management App Klinio for 19 Days Significantly Reduce their Blood Glucose Levels

A new data analysis of patients with type-2 diabetes has found that people who use the diabetes management app, Klinio, for a minimum of 19 days over 2.5 months are twice as likely to reduce their absolute HbA1c value by 0.59 percent.

The data found users were also twice as likely to achieve clinically meaningful improvement than users who had fewer logins. A change of 0.5 is considered a meaningful change in a person’s health status and is accepted by the Food and Drug Administration.  

The data analysis was conducted by the digital health company, Kilo Health, and validated by the independent organization, Validation Institute, which authenticates and verifies findings and claims made by third-party solutions providers.

Kasparas Aleknavicius, MD and head of Medical Affairs for Kilo Health, says his team of scientists wanted to see how mobile apps could help patients with diabetes better manage their disease in comparison to previously published studies.

“This research confirmed our belief that blood glucose levels can get under control quickly with the help of a mobile app,” said Aleknavicius. “This is promising for diabetics who struggle managing their disease. You can manage your diabetes with the help of technology and mobile apps. In this case, we observed a substantial reduction with their HbA1c levels in just over two months.”

Kilo Health found more than a thousand diabetes management apps on the market, however, Aleknavicius said few trials reported significant improvement in disease control while measuring HbA1c levels. 

Aleknavicius says this new research reinforces the role retention and engagement play in managing diabetes. One in 3 Americans have prediabetes, and one in 5 Americans will have full-on diabetes by 2025, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It’s estimated 8 percent of the global population already has diabetes.

“We need to continually remember that if you stop managing your diabetes, it will get worse,” said Aleknavicius. “Your choice of diabetes management app is up to you. What’s most important is making sure diabetics and pre-diabetics find a tool today to help them better manage their diabetes. Ignoring it won’t take it away.”

Research and Methodology for Study

Under this study, analysts with Kilo Health studied a population of 342 type 2 diabetics who started using the Klinio app in September 2020. Roughly 81 percent of the population was women and 19 percent were men, with everyone between the ages of 25 and 84.

The number of active days was obtained from the app's login data, while total time of use was calculated by subtracting the first login date from the last. 

Gender, age, and HbA1c values were self-reported by users during their account setup. At the time, Klinio asked users to input their latest known HbA1c value obtained from their blood sample test performed in the certified lab. Users were asked again to report HbA1c values after the scheduled blood tests. The time between measures had to be at least 3 months. For an HbA1c difference, the starting HbA1c value was subtracted from the last recorded HbA1c value.

The Klinio app is available to download for free on iOS and Android.

klinio

Mobisoft Infotech Introduces Event Transportation Solution for Large Sports and Entertainment Events

Mobisoft’s branded event transportation solution now enables global events to solve complex operations, streamline logistics, and provide a better guest experience.

HOUSTON – Oct. 7, 2021 – Mobisoft Infotech, a Houston-based global leader in transportation solutions, has announced the launch of its exclusive Event Transportation digital solution for large sports and entertainment events to elevate brand value and operational efficiency, optimize resource utilization, and significantly decrease costs.  

Mobisoft Infotech has successfully served events in the United States, the UK, and Australia. Mobisoft’s solution has operated more than 90,000 rides, 43,000 guests/players, and 1200 drivers across all the events, resulting in a 40% allocation time saving and 18% vehicles/drivers reduction.

Most of the event operators manage transportation manually with their dispatch and coordinator staff, which can be inefficient, time-consuming, and expensive. Mobisoft’s solution automates all the manual processes with digital technologies that enable efficient, optimized routing, trip assignments, and driver visibility.

Mobisoft Infotech’s event transportation management solution enables global events to overcome logistical challenges by providing an innovative digital experience that offers:

  • Digital solution for Player/Guest, Chauffeur, and Transport operators
  • Cars and shuttles (buses) transportation management 
  • Accreditation system and player portal integrations
  • Priorities and privileges management
  • Manual and Auto Dispatch
  • Live Dashboard: Realtime dashboard with KPIs and statistics
  • Multi-event support

“Large-scale events present organizers with massive logistical challenges related to transportation, including efficient resource allocation, asset tracking, guest safety, data privacy, and authentication, to name just a few,” said Nitin Lahoti, co-founder and director of Mobisoft Infotech. “Via our event transportation solution, Mobisoft Infotech partners with event organizers to elevate guest experience and engagement, streamline process digitization, improve operational efficiency and enhance the brand value.”

To learn more about Mobisoft Infotech’s event transportation management solutions, click here.

About Mobisoft Infotech

Mobisoft Infotech is an ISO 27001:2013 certified global digital product development company with a focus on providing innovative solutions and services with cutting-edge technology. Mobisoft partners with businesses of all sizes to build, improve and scale products across platforms leveraging disruptive technologies and combining design, engineering, and innovation to make its clients successful. For more information, please visit www.mobisoftinfotech.com

California Introduces Restrictions on PFAS in Juvenile Products

California approves restrictions on perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in juvenile products for infants and children under the age of twelve years.

The State Governor signed AB 652 into law on October 5, 2021, adding a new Chapter 12.5 (commencing with Section 108945) to the state’s Health and Safety Code under Part 3 of Division 104.

Under the terms of the law, PFAS are restricted to less than 100 ppm (as total organic fluorine). The new restrictions come into effect on July 1, 2023. Stakeholders should be aware there are exemptions for: 

  • Second hand juvenile products
  • Internal components of juvenile products that do not come into direct contact with a child’s skin or mouth during reasonably foreseeable use and abuse of the product
  • Children’s electronic products, including, but not limited to, personal computers, audio and video equipment, wireless phones and handheld devices incorporating a video screen or any associated peripherals
  • Medical devices
  • Adult mattresses

The law has the following definitions:

  • PFAS – a family of fluorinated organic chemicals containing at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom
  • Juvenile products – product for use by infants and children under 12 years of age, includes:
    • Baby and toddler foam pillows, nursing pillow, polyurethane foam pillows
    • Bassinets, crib mattress, infant sleep positioners, nap cot, travel bed, bedside sleepers, toddler mattress
    • Booster seats, highchair and pad, infant seats, portable hook-on chairs
    • Changing pad, portable foam nap mat
    • Child-restraint system for use in motor vehicles and aircraft
    • Floor playmats, bouncers,  infant swings, infant walkers, playmat, playpen and play yard

Stakeholders are advised to now ensure their products conform to the last requirements for PFAS.

SGS Childcare 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 Childcare Product Services. 

SGS SafeGuardS keep you up to date with the latest news and developments in the consumer goods industry. Read the full California, USA, Regulates PFAS in Juvenile 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

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Website: www.sgs.com/hardlines

LinkedIn: sgs-consumer-goods-&-retail

About SGS

We are SGS – the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company. We are recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. Our 93,000 employees operate a network of 2,600 offices and laboratories, working together to enable a better, safer and more interconnected world.