SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, is advising stakeholders that the European Union (EU) has issued draft legislation to restrict formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing substances in articles.

If accepted, the draft legislation would add a new entry to Annex XVII of Regulation (EC) 1907/2006 ‘Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals’ (Annex XVII of REACH).

It contains several important points and provisions:

• Intentionally added formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing substances regulated in:

1. Wood-based articles and furniture: 0.062 mg/m³
2. Articles other than wood-based articles and furniture: 0.08 mg/m³
3. Vehicle interiors: 0.062 mg/m³

• Provides a descriptive chamber method in the Appendix for wood-based articles and furniture, as well as other articles
• ISO 12219-1 and ISO 12219-10, or an equivalent method, stipulated for the vehicle interior, including trucks and buses
• Exemptions include articles for:

1. Outdoor use only under reasonably foreseeable conditions
2. Industrial and professional use exclusively unless there is exposure to the general public under foreseeable use
3. Under the scope of entry 72 to Annex XVII of REACH
4. Biocidal products (Regulation (EU) 528/2012)
5. Medical devices (Regulation (EU) 2017/745)
6. Personal protective equipment (PPE, Regulation (EU) 2016/425)
7. Food contact materials and articles (Regulation (EU) 1935/2004)
8. Second-hand articles  

• Clarifies that toys for children of all ages are within the scope of restrictions (preamble, point 35)

Formaldehyde is used in the manufacture of formaldehyde-based resins, thermoplastics and other chemicals, which are further used in a wide variety of applications. Formaldehyde-based resins are primarily used in the production of wood-based panels, wood-based products such as furniture and flooring, wallpaper, foam, parts for vehicles and airplanes, as well as textile and leather products.

The World Trade Organization (WTO) circulated the notification on May 2, 2022, attached to WTO document number 22-3408. It suggests adoption will take place in Q4 of 2022, with an enforcement date 20 days after publication in the Official Journal of the EU. Implementation will then be undertaken in two phases, possibly in:

• 2026 – wood-based articles and furniture, as well as other articles
• 2027 – vehicle interiors  

SGS REACH Services

SGS keeps interested parties informed about developments and changes to REACH regulations. Their expertise, combined with consultancy services and experience in consumer product supply chains, provides a central point of contact for global solutions. Learn more about SGS’s REACH Services.

SGS SafeGuardS keep you up to date with the latest news and developments in the consumer goods industry. Read the full EU Proposes to Regulate Formaldehyde in Articles SafeGuardS.

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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/cgnr

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 96,000 employees operate a network of 2,600 offices and laboratories, working together to enable a better, safer and more interconnected world.

Press release – 21.5.22

Mumbai, May 21, 2022 – PARENTNashik's Founder, Mr.Shreekant Patil, received the "6^th IPF Industrial Excellence Awards- Entrepreneur of the Year 2022" today on the second day of 3i EXPO and Conference, powered by IPFonline in Mumbai, Mr. Sajiv Nath, MD Yokogawa, presented this award to Shreekant Patil and Sneha Patil. (Co-Founder at Paramount Enterprises, Nashik.)

GUESTS OF HONOR: 1. Mr. Sanjay Bhatia, Maharashtra's Upa-Lokayukta,
2. Consul Generals of Sweden, Mauritius, South Africa, Hungary, Indonesia & Brazil The 3i Expo was held at Nehru Centre, Mumbai on the 20th and 21st of May 2022. Shreekant Patil, a first-generation entrepreneur with 28 years of extensive industrial and entrepreneurship experience, has been manufacturing robotic spot welding gun parts in Nashik under the name MSME – Paramount Enterprises for more than a decade, exporting 95 % of his products to Europe, the United States, and other countries.

Shreekant is a qualified electrical engineer and professional chartered engineer. He has received awards for product excellence, business development, and entrepreneurship in Asia, the United States, and Europe. In 2019, he wins Asia's leading entrepreneur in the small business award, a prestigious award in Dubai. Throughout his illustrious career, he established his credibility and brand recognition through hard work and consistency.

Shreekant and his co-founder Mrs. Sneha Patil, are satisfied on receiving this prestigious award – IPF Entrepreneur of the year 2022, India and he said, more responsibilities were added to his shoulder, then he thanked to GOD.

Shreekant Patil is currently assisting as an official mentor to startupindia, MeitY, and the AIC BAMU Foundation. He has been assisting the Government of India on the startupindia platform for startups, newbies, small businesses, and conducting webinars and seminars at engineering colleges guiding them on entrepreneurship, marketing, scale-up, and product validation for the past three years, as well as international startups on virtual platforms.

Shreekant Patil's goal is to assist startups and small businesses in expanding worldwide while also assisting the government in growing the economy.

About Company: - Paramount Enterprises (Brand Name: PARENTNashik)

PARENTNashik is a leading brand in welding, a bootstrap manufacturer and exporter of robotic spot welding gun parts, spares and consumables, which was established in 2004 at Nashik, Ambad MIDC, with its own factory setup, modern technologically advanced machines, skilled staff, and innovative processes in the production line to meet worldwide standards. PARENTNashik is awarded in Europe, and the USA for product excellence, and welding product supplier.

Follow Shreekant – Shreekant Patil, Entrepreneur, Mentor

Press & Media Contact:
Ms. Sadhana T,
PARENTNashik
A-36, MIDC Ambad,
Nashik, India
+91-0253-6632483
http://parentnashik.com

Cambridge, MA –  Marriott International, Inc. is pleased to announce that renovations to the Residence Inn by Marriott Boston Cambridge are complete and now offer unique Sensory Suites, aimed at providing children with autism and other disabilities a relaxing stay. The 16-story hotel located at 120 Broadway is proud to unveil its new look after a $15 million-dollar transformation that includes extensive renovations to the guest rooms, guest bathrooms, corridors, fitness center, boardroom, meeting spaces, lobby, entrance and dining area, plus a new-built, full-service lobby bar. 

The Residence Inn by Marriott Boston Cambridge is situated in the heart of Kendall Square, four miles from Boston Logan International Airport and just one subway stop from downtown Boston. The 250-suite property offers guests convenient access to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the Charles River, Harvard University, Fenway Park, TD Garden, Boston University and historic Boston’s best attractions, restaurants and nightlife.

“We knew we needed something different in Kendall Square, since it’s known as the most innovative square mile on the planet,” said Jennifer Pendola, General Manager, Residence Inn by Marriott Boston Cambridge. “The Sensory Suites are our small contribution to the area, but more importantly a contribution to a larger community of travelers, or those that may not have traveled otherwise.”

Each Sensory Suite is geared to children with autism, ADHD or other disabilities who need extra engagement in helping them relax or get to sleep. Each Sensory Suite offers a projectable changing light, a hugglepod, a sensory mat, and the child gets to take a home a worry rock, a fidget spinner and a copy of the book – Why Does Izzy Cover Her Ears.

The Residence Inn by Marriott Boston Cambridge is committed to keeping the property updated and looking brand-new. All of the guest rooms have been redesigned with the addition of new carpeting, bedding, furniture, appliances and artwork along with the total transformation of the guest bathrooms. The refurbished guest room décor warmly welcomes guests into a comfortable, restful and productive environment.

The hotel features studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom suites, each offering a fully-equipped kitchen with a coffeemaker, microwave oven and residential-sized appliances. Other in-room amenities include plush mattresses and crisp linens, a pullout sofa, a large, well-lit work desk and ergonomic desk chair and complimentary Wi-Fi access. 

“When you arrive at the Residence Inn by Marriott Boston Cambridge, you are home,” said Karen Roscoe, Boston Area Sales Leader, Marriott International. “Our suites with smart technology, fully-equipped kitchens and associates ready to connect you with the local neighborhood are designed with your productivity and comfort in mind. And the lobby bar is the perfect spot to collaborate with colleagues and end the day with story-telling. We provide memorable service so that you don’t feel like a guest – you feel like yourself.”

The hotel rotates a wide selection of healthy choices for its free hot breakfast every day. With favorites like bacon and eggs, Greek yogurt, cut fruit or waffles and extensive toppings, ranging from fresh spinach and cheese to sliced almonds and strawberries. Enjoy all the options you need to start your morning with endless possibilities.

Onsite amenities at the Residence Inn by Marriott Boston Cambridge include a totally modernized fitness center that includes Peloton bikes, an updated executive boardroom and 1,104 square feet of functional meeting space, a renovated breakfast buffet and dining area freshly appointed with a floral-greenery décor. The lobby has been completely redesigned with a new modern and chic entrance as well as the addition of a new-built lobby bar. The full-service bar serves wine, beer, cocktails as well as light-fare and is the perfect place for socializing, relaxing and indulging. The hotel is pet-friendly and guests will also enjoy the hotel’s grocery delivery service, 24-hour onsite food and beverage market and dry cleaning services. 

Even though the renovations and Sensory Suites were unveiled in April – Autism Acceptance Month, the hotel ensures guests that its services and packages are here to stay and celebrated year-round. For more information on the Residence Inn by Marriott Boston Cambridge or to make reservations please call directly at 617-349-0700, or visit their website.

About Residence Inn by Marriott

Residence Inn by Marriott is the global leader in the longer stays lodging segment with more than 870 properties in 19 countries and territories. Designed for long stays, the brand offers spacious suites with separate living, working, and sleeping zones that provide guests with the space and freedom to travel the way they like to live. With fully functional kitchens, complimentary grocery delivery service, 24-hour markets and complimentary breakfast, guests can maximize their time and thrive while they travel. Residence Inn’s guests enjoy being empowered to make the most of each day, on their own terms and without constraints. Additionally, Residence Inn encourages socializing among guests. The RI Mix evening events afford guests the opportunity to socialize and connect with the local community at select properties. Each Residence Inn also offers free Wi-Fi in both public and guests’ spaces to ensure continuous connectivity while on the road and make their stay that much more convenient.

SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, is advising stakeholders that the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has published two notice of proposed rulemaking (NPR) aimed at reducing the threat of strangulation from window cords.

Issued on January 7, 2022, the NPRs covers both standard and custom window coverings. They are:

1. Amended: Substantial Product Hazard List: Window Covering Cords
2. New: Safety Standard for Operating Cords on Custom Window Coverings

If adopted, the first NPR will amend 16 CFR 1120 to include two new definitions, creating consistency with the definitions in the American National Standard for Safety of Corded Window Covering Products:

1. ‘Stock window covering’
2. ‘Custom window covering’

16 CFR 1120 lists consumer products which have characteristics that present a substantial hazard to users The CPSC has determined these hazards can effectively be mitigated against via a product design that conforms to mandatory applicable industry standard, a requirement before sale or import.

Under the NPR, stock window coverings will be considered a substantial product risk if they fail to conform to one or more of three readily observable characteristics in the American National Standard for Safety of Corded Window Covering Products:

1. Operating cord requirements in sections 4.3.1.1 (cordless operating system), 4.3.1.2 (short static or access cord), or 4.3.1.3 (inaccessible operating cord)
2. Inner cord requirements in sections 4.5, 6.3, 6.7, Appendix C, and Appendix D, and
3. On-product manufacturer labels in section 5.3

Custom window coverings that fail to comply with one or more of two readily observable characteristics in the same American National Standard will also be deemed a substantial product risk:

1. Inner cord requirements in section 4.5, 6.3, 6.7, Appendix C, and Appendix D, and
2. On-product manufacturer labels in section 5.3

The second NPR will be published under the designation 16 CFR 1260. If adopted, it would require operating cords on custom window coverings to comply with the same performance requirements as operating cords on stock window coverings – see the same American National Standard section 4.3.1.

For more information on the requirements and impact of these two NPRs, see SGS’s original SafeGuardS 054/22.

SGS Furnishings Services

SGS provides a full range of solutions to support home furnishing product manufacturers deliver safe and compliant products to global markets. Services include product design analysis, component and product testing, auditing, inspection and retail store checks. In the end, it’s trusted because it’s tested. Learn more about SGS’s Home Furnishings and Houseware Services.

SGS SafeGuardS keep you up to date with the latest news and developments in the consumer goods industry. Read the full US CPSC Publishes Safety Standard for Operating Cords on Custom Window Coverings SafeGuardS.

Subscribe here to receive SGS SafeGuardS direct to your inbox.

For further information contact:

Allen Moldovan

Technical Specialist - Hardlines

Tel: +1 (201) 207-8503

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 96,000 employees operate a network of 2,600 offices and laboratories, working together to enable a better, safer and more interconnected world.