SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, has published a SafeGuardS summarizing Japan’s designation of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) isomers, their salts and PFOA-related compounds as Class 1 Specified Substances.

Under Enforcement Order of the Act on the Examination of Chemical Substances and Regulation of Their Manufacturing, etc. (Cabinet Order No. 202 of 1974), Class 1 Specified Chemical Substances are banned from manufacture, import and use in Japan, unless authorized/permitted. Cabinet Order No. 244 adds PFOA isomers, their salts and PFOA-related compounds to this list. It will, with a few exceptions, become effective on January 10, 2025. This is six months after the date of promulgation.

PFOA-related compounds are used for their grease, oil and water repellant properties. Subject to permission under the new regulation, they may still be used in fire extinguishers, fire extinguishing agents for fire extinguishers and fire extinguishing foams.

SGS experts publish SafeGuardS to keep stakeholders informed about regulations that may impact their business. SafeGuardS 113.24 provides a useful overview of Cabinet Order No. 244 and includes a table detailing the products that will be prohibited from import to Japan.

Stakeholders are encouraged to refer to the original SafeGuardS 113.24 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 Japan Designates PFO isomers and PFOA-related Compounds as Class 1 Specified Substances 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 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 99,600 employees operate a network of 2,600 offices and laboratories around the world.

SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, has launched two additions to its SGS Green Marks program: Product Carbon Footprint and Carbon Footprint Reduced.

Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) is an essential measurement of greenhouse gas emission and removal within a product’s life cycle. Brands, manufacturers, suppliers and retailers can now benefit from SGS Green Marks that:

• Ensure PCF information is transparent and generated in compliance with the relevant standards and methodologies
• Mitigate the risk of greenwashing or reputational damage
• Support the accurate communication of environmental performance to stakeholders
• Differentiate a product from competitors
• Provide global recognition that claims are verified by SGS

For a product to qualify for SGS Green Marks, organizations must first submit a PCF calculation report. SGS then undertakes a rigorous assessment of the PCF following the ISO 14064-3 verification process. This confirms that the PCF was prepared in accordance with either the international standard ISO 14067:2018, or the product standard issued by the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, using a life cycle assessment (LCA) approach.

This mark provides details of the product’s environmental claim and assessment standard(s) and displays a QR code that links directly to further information on the claim’s authenticity.

Keith Hutchinson, Deputy Head, Connectivity & Products Global Certification at SGS, said: “We are delighted to extend our portfolio of sustainability services to embrace product carbon footprint and provide the market with a credible way to exhibit third-party verified PCF studies.

“Making claims is easy, substantiating them is not. SGS Green Marks enable organizations to demonstrate their product’s environmental attributes. Ultimately, it enables a growing tide of environmentally conscious consumers to be better informed on the impacts of their purchases and to make greener choices.”

SGS Green Marks
SGS Green Marks, developed by SGS experts, now comprise nine individual green attribute certifications or verifications, making this scheme one of the most diverse sets of environmental claim certifications and verifications on the market. The scheme supports businesses and brands striving to enhance their sustainability effort and respond to rising consumer demands for greener products and services.

Based on recognized standards such as ISO/IEC 17065, ISO/IEC 17029, ISO 14065 and ISO 14021, SGS Green Marks verify that products have passed a range of assessments to meet specific and quantifiable environmental attributes and claims under the following nine environmental attributes:

• Recycled content
• Product carbon footprint
• Carbon footprint reduced
• PFAS-assessed
• Biobased
• Hazardous substances assessed
• PVC-free
• Industrial compostable
• Biodegradability­

Learn more about SGS Green Marks  

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 99,600 employees operate a network of 2,600 offices and laboratories around the world.

SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, has published a Consumer Compact article on how environmental, regulatory and consumer pressures are driving change in the packaging industry.

With growing evidence of the harmful effects of plastic pollution, paper is back in focus as a sustainable packaging alternative. The challenges of environmental protection are increasingly influencing industry practice and consumer choice.

In this SGS Consumer Compact article, global regulatory actions are explored, as well as the opportunities presented by the changes in consumer behavior. Further incentives for business are detailed, with a focus on the food industry and the development of sustainable packaging.

Read the original Consumer Compact article, “Rediscovering Paper: How Industry is Responding to Sustainability Efforts.”

SGS solutions
SGS supports businesses with a broad range of specialist testing and certification services targeted toward sustainable packaging against major safety and quality standards, including ASTM, ISO and EN. Recycled plastic content analysis and a host of comprehensive technical assessments are available to give third-party credibility to environmental claims and market distinction for brands.

Learn more about sustainability solutions for packaging.

Learn more about sustainability solutions for food contact materials.

Learn more about the SGS Green Mark.

Subscribe here to receive SGS Consumer Compact direct to your inbox.

For more information, please contact:

Kristin Merryfield
Project Manager
Connectivity & Products, SGS
Tel: +01 920 749 3040 ext. 29205

Christopher Reitmeyer
Job title: Director, Operations and Business Development
Connectivity & Products, SGS
Tel: +01 920 749 3040

Michael Richardson
Green Mark Contact - Sustainability Manager
Connectivity & Products, SGS
Tel: 973 289 9862

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: www.sgs.com/cp 
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 99,600 employees operate a network of 2,600 offices and laboratories around the world.

SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, has published a SafeGuardS on the further postponement to Rhode Island’s ban on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in food packaging.

Measures to prohibit intentionally added food packaging PFAS were approved in 2022. The ban’s effective date in law was then postponed to July 31, 2024. This latest postponement was mandated by the governor of Rhode Island on June 17, 2024, pushing the effective date of the ban back by six months.

SGS experts publish SafeGuardS to keep stakeholders informed about regulatory changes that will impact their ability to operate. SafeGuardS 099.24 provides a useful summary of the latest postponement to Rhode Island’s ban on PFAS in food packaging. In addition, it contains details of a provision to consider a regulated chemical as intentionally added if it is detected in the final packaging or packaging component. The regulated chemical might have been used as a processing agent, mold release agent or intermediate. This will apply from July 1, 2027.

Stakeholders should review the original SafeGuardS 099.24 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 Rhode Island, U.S.A., Delays Ban on PFAS in Food Packaging 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

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

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: www.sgs.com/cp
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 99,600 employees operate a network of 2,600 offices and laboratories around the world.