Regulatory Updates

Distribution date: 16 January 2008 | Final date for Comment: 16 March 2008

These regulations prescribe chemical parameters (Standards) for their products.

Products Covered: Tea, coffee, cocoa and their products

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 16 January 2008 | Final date for Comment: 16 March 2008

These regulations prescribe chemicals and microbiological parameters (Standard) of meat and meat products and the labelling requirements of such products in packaged forms.

Products Covered: Meat and meat products

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 14 January 2008

Prohibits the use of phthalates in toys and baby products

Products Covered: Children's toys and products (HS:  9503, 2917.3; ICS:  97.200, 71.080)

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 14 January 2008

Prohibits the manufacture, sale, and distribution of products containing certain flame retardants; requires notification by manufacturer.

Products Covered: Mattress pads, upholstered furniture, electronic devices (HS:  9404; ICS:  13.220, 31.020, 97.140, 97.160)

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 11 January 2008

Requires all antifreeze containing at least 10 percent ethylene glycol to contain, and be labelled with, a bittering agent.

Products Covered: Antifreeze (HS:  3820.00;  ICS:  71.100)

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 11 January 2008

Bans the manufacture, sale, distribution, or use of products containing certain flame retardants, brominated flame retardants.

Products Covered: Flame retardants (HS:  2801.30;  ICS:  71.080, 13.220)

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 11 January 2008

Requires manufacturers of children’s products that contain chemicals of high concern to disclose such information to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection.

Products Covered: Toys and children’s products (HS:  9503;  ICS:  97.200, 71.100)

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 10 January 2008

The Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI) has proposed to amend TIS 740-2549(2006) Synthetic Dyestufs: Reactive Dyes which was notified as G/TBT/N/THA/177 dated 20 September 2005. The main amendments are as follows: The number of the Standard is amended from “ TIS 740-2549” to “TIS 740-2551”; Withdrawing the statement in Clause 3.3 and Clause 7.3 “Testing on humidity”; Revising on testing for water solubility; Revising total weight of samples.

Products Covered: Synthetic organic colouring matter, whether or not chemically defined; preparations based on synthetic organic colouring matter of a kind used to dye fabrics or produce colorant preparations; synthetic organic products of a kind used as fluorescent brightening agents or as luminophores, whether or not chemically defined (excl. preparations of heading 3207, 3208, 3209, 3210, 3213 and 3215) (HS code(s): 3204); Textile auxiliary materials (ICS code(s): 59.040)

Regulation Type: Revision to Regular Notification

Distribution date: 10 January 2008

The Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI) has proposed to amend TIS 739-2549(2006) Synthetic Dyestuffs: Direct Dyes which was notified as G/TBT/N/THA/174 dated 27 June 2005. The main amendments are as follows: The number of the Standard is amended from "TIS 739-2549" to "TIS 739-2551"; Withdrawing the statement in Clause 4.4 and Clause 8.4 "Testing on humidity"; Revising total weight of samples.

Products Covered: Synthetic organic colouring matter, whether or not chemically defined; preparations based on synthetic organic colouring matter of a kind used to dye fabrics or produce colorant preparations; synthetic organic products of a kind used as fluorescent brightening agents or as luminophores, whether or not chemically defined (excl. preparations of heading 3207, 3208, 3209, 3210, 3213 and 3215) (HS code(s): 3204); Textile auxiliary materials (ICS code(s): 59.040)

Regulation Type: Revision to Regular Notification

Distribution date: 09 January 2008

This Order of Director of Market Surveillance Department presents some protective measures against some examined cases related to the placing on the Albanian market of dangerous products such as sets of spoons and forks for feeding babies, produced in China from Fu Hong Industries Ltd, which have resulted as insecure after the testing in chemical laboratory. The protective measures consist of: stopping the placing on the market of this product and the withdrawal by the delivery company of the remaining products in the market, stopping the procedures for clearance in the Customs Offices for this kind of product. This Order of Director of Market Surveillance Department also presents some protective measures against some dangerous products (mainly toys) found in some of the EU member’s markets which present a serious risk for health and safety of consumers. The protective measures consist of: stopping the clearance procedures in the Customs Offices for such products and for plastic toys produced by the "Fisher Price" company which have resulted in higher than permitted levels of lead and informing the Central Technical Inspectorate to act according to the Albanian Law No 9779, dated 16 July 2007 "on General Safety, Essential Requirements and Conformity Assessment of non Food Products" article 17, letters ç) and d) as well as the Albanian Law No 9135, dated 11 September 2003 on Consumer Protection, article 51, letters e) and f).

Products Covered: Dangerous products on the market

Regulation Type: Regular notification