SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, has published a SafeGuardS covering a proposal by the European Union (EU) to regulate undecafluorohexanoic acid (aka perfluorohexanoic acid, PFHxA), its salts and PFHxA-related substances under Annex XVII of REACH.

When/if adopted, the restriction will affect a wide variety of consumer goods, including:

- Food contact paper and cardboard
- Footwear
- Mixtures
- Textiles, leather, furs and hides in clothing and related accessories
- Textiles, leather, furs and hides other than in clothing and related accessories for the general public
- Cosmetics
- Fire-fighting foams for:
1. Municipal fire services
2. Training and testing (except functional testing of the fighting systems)
3. Civil aviation

SGS has published SafeGuardS 086.23 to help stakeholders understand the implications of the proposals for their business (if adopted). It includes a definition for PFHxA, its salts and PFHxA-related substances and a table detailing the requirements in the draft regulation and proposed effective dates.

Stakeholders are advised to review SGS’s original SafeGuardS 086.23 to learn more.

The World Trade Organization (WTO) circulated the draft document in June 2023. It proposes an adoption date of Q4 in 2023.

SGS REACH Services
SGS keeps interested parties informed about developments and changes to the REACH regulations. In addition, they offer comprehensive solutions to help business ensure their products remain in compliance with the latest requirements governing the registration, evaluation, authorization and restriction of chemicals in the EU. In the end, it’s only trusted because it’s tested. 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 Intends to Regulate PFHxA and PFHxA-related Substances Under REACH 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/cgnr
LinkedIn: SGS Connectivity & Products

About SGS
We are SGS – the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company. We are recognized as the global benchmark for sustainability, quality and integrity. Our 97,000 employees operate a network of 2,650 offices and laboratories, working together to enable a better, safer and more interconnected world.

SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, has published a SafeGuardS to provide stakeholders with an overview of the new European Union (EU) General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR).

Regulation (EU) 2023/988, the GPSR, was published in the Official Journal of the EU on May 23, 2023. It replaces and repeals:
– General Product Safety Directive 2001/95/EC
– Directive 87/357/EEC

It also amends:
– Regulation (EU) 1025/2012
– Directive 2020/1828

The General Product Safety Directive has been a safety net for consumers when products do not fall under the scope of other regulations. Replacing it with a regulation means clear and detailed rules for product safety are imposed across the EU without the risk of divergent transposition by Member States.

The introduction of the GPSR seeks to address some of the concerns that have been raised in relation to products currently in circulation in the EU that do not meet safety requirements.

These include:

– Challenges linked to new technology
– Challenges related to the growth of online sales
– Complex market surveillance rules – not fully efficient and often not consistent with rules relevant for harmonized areas
– Potential lack of efficacy in recalling unsafe products from consumers
– Inconsistency of application for safety rules for food-imitating products across the EU
– Need to align provisions on standardization with relevant regulation

It can be assumed these problems will only increase as globalization and digitalization evolve.

The GPSR applies to products placed or made available on the European market, whether new, used, repaired or reconditioned, insofar as there are no specific provisions with the same objective of safety under Union law.

SGS has published SafeGuardS 088.23 to provide stakeholders with an overview of the move from the General Product Safety Directive to the GPSR. It includes details of several novelties introduced by the new regulation, covering subjects such as the definition of ‘economic operator’, the challenges associated with growth in online sales and the integration of the regulation for food imitating products.

To learn more, interested parties are advised to review SGS’s original SafeGuardS 088.23 to gain a more complete idea of how the introduction of the GPSR is going to affect their business.

Published on May 23, 2023, the GPSR entered in force on June 13, 2023. There is now an 18-month transition period, with the new regulation being applied from December 13. 2024.

SGS Consumer Product Services
SGS provides news about the development of regulations affecting consumer products as a complimentary service. With an unrivalled global network of laboratories, they offer physical/mechanical testing, analytical testing and consultancy work for technical and non-technical parameters applicable to a comprehensive range of consumer products. In the end, it’s only trusted because it’s tested. Learn more about SGS’s Consumer Product Services.

SGS SafeGuardS keep you up to date with the latest news and developments in the consumer goods industry. Read the full Europe publishes new Regulation on General Products Safety SafeGuardS.

Subscribe here to receive SGS SafeGuardS direct to your inbox.

For further information contact:

Catherine Follin-Arbelet
Juvenile Products International Expert
Tel:  (+33) 0628502588
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: www.sgs.com/hardlines
LinkedIn: SGS Connectivity & Products

About SGS
We are SGS – the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company. We are recognized as the global benchmark for sustainability, quality and integrity. Our 97,000 employees operate a network of 2,650 offices and laboratories, working together to enable a better, safer and more interconnected world.

Framingham, MA – For more than 25 years, Pro Comfort Control has been at the centre of people's home lives, ensuring that they live comfortably and efficiently thanks to their industry-leading approach to providing plumbing, heating and cooling solutions.

Serving the Framingham, MA and surrounding communities, the family-owned and operated company never compromises on quality or detail when achieving gold-standard customer service.

Their team of professionally trained and qualified experts are at the top of their game when it comes to offering customers the absolute best selection of heating, cooling, hot water and plumbing equipment and top-quality installation materials. 

It offers a range of energy-efficient air conditioning solutions to keep homes cool and comfortable while also helping homeowners save money on their bills. The team can also install and repair heating technology to ensure warmth is always available, while their water heater solutions and services takes the home to a new level of comfort. 

"Clients only get the best with Pro Comfort Control because they deserve the best," acknowledged business owner Ryan McKernan. "We pride ourselves on being the industry leaders and delivering excellence in service and mechanical installations.

"Our mission is to offer the personal touch with our customers. We will build a relationship that will last a lifetime as we feel invested in our clients and constantly strive for satisfaction and won't leave until the job is done right."

In today's world, where energy prices are rising, and the need to reduce energy consumption to combat climate change is more pressing than ever, Pro Comfort Control helps clients navigate the myriad options for achieving the best standard of comfort.

During the installation process, clients witness the passion and commitment to detail that each Pro Comfort Control team member possesses. Following installation, they ensure clients fully understand how the new system operates and how to maintain it for peak performance through an in-person demonstration or a helpful video guide.

Ryan brings over 25 years of invaluable experience to every project. Growing up in a family of skilled tradesmen, Ryan worked alongside his plumber uncle and well-known local builder father. Rooted in the Framingham community for many years, his business serves the needs of neighboring towns.

Their work has attracted five-star testimonials from highly satisfied customers. M. Nelson, of Framingham, commented: "One of the best home service experiences I have ever had. They arrived within the time window expected, were highly courteous and respectful."

To book an appointment or to discover more about Pro Comfort Control and its services:

Phone: (508) 955-4776

Website: https://procomfortcontrol.com/

General Devices is launching a webinar centered around the e-Bridge Communication Platform, and how it helps healthcare teams, on August 23, 2023, at 1pm EST. Moderated by National Sales Manager Randall Hawkins, the e-Bridge webinar will be a conversation between former EMS and Hospital professionals. Panelists include Northeast Regional Manager Michael Pisano, North Central Regional Manager Mitch Scott and Midwest Regional Manager Christine Laking.

e-Bridge is an emergency communications and telehealth platform that enables live, HIPAA-secure communications between and among EMS and hospital teams. This is done through sharing pictures, audio, voice and text messaging, video and live streaming. It provides audio and visual alerts and notifications with real-time ETA tracking, and allows 12-lead management from any monitor. With a suite of highly-configurable extensions e-Bridge allows users to tailor its interface, alerts, buttons, workflow and more.

e-Bridge webinar attendees can expect to walk away with a better understanding of:

• e-Bridge features and capabilities 
• the value e-Bridge provides to different teams in the healthcare space 
• how to set your team up for success when using e-Bridge 
• results you can expect to see once you implement e-Bridge 

About the panelists:

Randall Hawkins has worked in Fire/EMS for his entire adult life. In the late 1990s, his wife encouraged him to look into working in medical sales due to his passion for bridging the communication gap amongst healthcare teams. He has been with GD for 13 years and loves that he can help to improve the health and well-being of thousands of patients a day.

Michael Pisano was the ALS Coordinator in a combination fire department in Pennsylvania before becoming GD’s Northeast Regional Manager. His past experiences have made him an advocate for new technologies and has given him a responsive drive with innovative ideas.

Mitch Scott gained an understanding of the many hurdles that medical professionals have and the communication needs that healthcare teams face through his work as a paramedic. He now uses that experience to advocate for advanced communication solutions that can help hospitals, EMS and paramedicine teams improve their patient care.

Christine Laking can appreciate the challenges that both EMS and hospital teams face when it comes to communication. As a former user of GD communication solutionhe brings pre-hospital experience in private EMS and the fire department, as well as hospital experience as an ER nurse to her work as Midwest Regional Manager at GD.

Register for the e-Bridge webinar to learn more about how this communication solution can help your teams. 

About GD (General Devices)

GD is a Healthtech company specializing in communication solutions that help EMS and hospitals deliver simply seamless patient care. Powered by responsive innovation, GD’s user-friendly solutions facilitate rapid, secure, voice, telehealth and data sharing communications across care teams to help save time, money and lives. Backed by a 40+ year history and thousands of implementations, GD is a widely revered industry leader. Visit https://general-devices.com to learn more.