Geneva (May 21, 2025) – SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, has published SafeGuardS 062.25, focusing on the Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water’s (DCCEEW) announcement proposing the listing of six chemicals/groups of chemicals to the country’s Industrial Chemicals Environment Management (Register) Instrument 2022.

The proposal was open for comments until May 9, 2025, and refers to the following chemicals/groups of chemicals:
- 1,2-dichloroethane
- Aryl sulfonate hydrotropes
- Decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE, and chemicals containing a portion of DBDPE)
- Mercury and its compounds
- Methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT)

DBPDE, which is a flame retardant, along with mercury and its compounds, will be assigned to Schedule 6 of the IChEMS Register, as chemicals which will be prohibited from manufacture, import, use and export, with some exemptions.

SGS experts publish SafeGuardS to keep stakeholders informed about regulatory changes that could impact their business. SafeGuardS 062.25 includes further information on exemptions and risk measurement measures in the scheduling of DBDPE and its uses.

Stakeholders are encouraged to refer to the original SafeGuardS 062.25 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 Australia Proposes to Add Several Chemicals to the IChEMS Register SafeGuardS.

Subscribe today and receive SGS SafeGuardS direct to your inbox.

For further information contact:

Dr. HingWo Tsang
Global Information and Innovation Manager
Tel: +852 2774 7420
Website: www.sgs.com/cp
LinkedIn: SGS Connectivity & Product

Baltimore, MD – May 12, 2025 – Power Franchise Consulting, a leader in franchise matchmaking and advisory services, today announced a renewed focus on connecting qualified investors with top‑performing senior care franchise brands. The initiative comes as the global in‑home senior care franchise market is projected to reach $441.5 billion in 2025 and expand at a 7.7 percent CAGR through 2035, fueled by record longevity and an aging Baby Boomer population of more than 73 million Americans.

“Senior care is one of the most resilient, values‑driven industries in franchising,” said Mike Mullen, Founder of Power Franchise Consulting. “Our mission is to guide entrepreneurs toward proven brands that deliver both community impact and strong returns. With demand for home health and companion services at an all‑time high, the window of opportunity has never been wider.”

Power Franchise Consulting’s process begins with a complimentary one‑on‑one consultation to clarify financial goals, operational preferences, and desired territories. The firm then curates a short list of vetted senior care, in‑home health, and assisted‑living concepts—each backed by established systems, robust training, and scalable business models.

According to recent reports, the U.S. franchise segment of home healthcare alone generates $11 billion in annual revenue across more than 11,000 businesses, underlining the sector’s stability even during economic downturns.

“Investors are drawn to senior care because it pairs recurring revenue with the satisfaction of serving vulnerable populations,” Mullen added. “We demystify the process—franchise fees, regulatory requirements, caregiver staffing—so owners can launch quickly and start making a difference.”

Key Benefits of Partnering with Power Franchise Consulting

• Data‑Driven Guidance: Market analytics and territory mapping to maximize growth potential.

• Brand Alignment: Access to a nationwide network of high‑performing franchisors, from non‑medical home care to skilled nursing services.

• Personalized Support: End‑to‑end coaching—from discovery calls and FDD reviews to financing strategies and grand‑opening marketing.

About Power Franchise Consulting

Power Franchise Consulting LLC helps entrepreneurs identify and secure the ideal franchise, license, or business opportunity. Led by industry veteran Mike Mullen, the Baltimore‑based firm offers personalized guidance, rigorous brand due diligence, and ongoing mentorship to ensure long‑term franchise success. Learn more at powerfranchiseconsulting.com.

Media Contact: Mike Mullen, Founder & Lead Consultant

Power Franchise Consulting

Phone: 410‑200‑0392

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

For press inquiries, interviews, or additional data on senior care franchise trends, please contact the media representative listed above.

Geneva (May 13, 2025) – SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, has launched an all-in-one solution to assist manufacturers and suppliers of food contact substances in obtaining regulatory authorization for North American markets.

Food contact substances are subject to stringent safety standards and need to undergo a rigorous authorization process in many markets before being allowed to be used in the manufacturing of food contact materials. The authorization process, which typically takes between six months and two years to complete, involves complex procedures and specialized expertise that many manufacturers may lack internally.

In the US, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) offers the Food Contact Notification (FCN) pathway, a preferred route due to its two key advantages: proprietary approval and a relatively fast process once the notification is submitted. In Canada, while regulatory authorization is only mandatory for specific applications – such as food contact substances used in infant formula packaging and certain novel processes – it is common practice to seek a voluntary letter of no objection (LONO) from Health Canada to demonstrate compliance.

SGS’s new regulatory submission service simplifies and accelerates the approval process for both FCN and LONO applications. By partnering with a trusted industry leader, this solution offers a seamless approach that integrates expert preparation of regulatory dossiers with advanced migration testing. Beyond FCN and LONO submissions, this service has the potential to expand into additional markets, providing a truly comprehensive, one-stop solution for optimizing authorization processes.

For further information, please contact:

Melanie Tamayo
Senior Technical Manager
Mobile: +1 312 414 9394

Arthur Barbas
Senior Sales Executive
Mobile: +1 470 376 6009

About SGS
SGS is the world’s leading Testing, Inspection and Certification company. We operate a network of over 2,500 laboratories and business facilities across 115 countries, supported by a team of 99,500 dedicated professionals. With over 145 years of service excellence, we combine the precision and accuracy that define Swiss companies to help organizations achieve the highest standards of quality, compliance and sustainability.

Our brand promise – when you need to be sure – underscores our commitment to trust, integrity and reliability, enabling businesses to thrive with confidence. We proudly deliver our expert services through the SGS name and trusted specialized brands, including Brightsight, Bluesign, Maine Pointe and Nutrasource.

SGS is publicly traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange under the ticker symbol SGSN (ISIN CH1256740924, Reuters SGSN.S, Bloomberg SGSN:SW).

Geneva (May 14, 2025) – SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, has published SafeGuardS 061.25, reporting on New Zealand’s prohibition on the manufacture and use of three persistent organic pollutant (POP) chemicals.