Business

SGS Launches EAC Ready Certification Scheme for Exporters to East Africa

SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, has announced the launch of a new certification scheme to help exporters succeed in the complex regulatory landscape of the East Africa Community (EAC).

SGS EAC-Ready certification is a voluntary certification scheme that simplifies the process for exporters entering markets in the republics of Burundi, Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda. It complements existing pre-export verification of conformity (PVoC) programs by enabling certified goods to more easily secure mandatory certificates of conformity (CoC). This has the advantage of reducing overall costs and improving efficiencies during trade, giving exporters a competitive advantage in increasingly regulated markets.

The EAC is a rapidly expanding economic community of around 283.7 million citizens (>30% urban dwelling) with a combined gross domestic product of USD 305.3 billion. To regulate product quality and safety, enhance growth and facilitate better trade within the community, EAC member states are adopting a common set of binding East African Standards (EAS).

The EAC-Ready certification scheme is tailored to the requirements of the product, target markets and relevant EAS. It will incorporate a combination of product testing, factory and desk audits and a final document review to determine compliance. Products shown to conform to the relevant EAS can then carry the EAS-Ready Certification mark.

For further information, please contact:

Gerardo Panopio
PCA Technical Manager
Trade Facilitation Services – Connectivity & Products, SGS
E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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 98,000 employees operate a network of 2,650 offices and laboratories, working together to enable a better, safer and more interconnected world.

SGS Digital Traceability Solution for the fashion industry webinar

SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, is delighted to announce a complimentary webinar, ‘Advancing fashion accountability: the SGS Digital Traceability Solution.’ This event takes place on December 13.

Ensuring transparency in the fashion industry is challenging for manufacturers and retailers who often have multiple suppliers, and deal with many different raw materials. With increasing pressure from consumers and stakeholders to provide evidence of responsible production processes and textiles/fabrics, SGS has developed an innovative service to enable businesses to manage their supply chains effectively.

Expert presenter Frank Kempe explores the background of the issue of traceability for softlines and introduces the SGS Digital Traceability Solution. This provides a comprehensive range of services, from traceability competence development to document desktop review and traceability onsite verification. A digital platform, SGSmart-Source, has been developed to support the service.

When businesses have oversight of potentially polluting supply chain operations that the SGS Digital Traceability Solution can provide, it is possible for them to take measures which will ensure not only verifiable raw materials, but also commercial advantage, in the form of brand recognition and increased market competitiveness.

This webinar will be of interest to brands, retailers and manufacturers in the footwear and apparel industries.

California reintroduces proposal to modify Prop 65 warning methods

SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, has published SafeGuardS 149.23 to keep stakeholders up to date with the latest proposals affecting California Proposition 65 (Prop 65).

The state’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) has reintroduced a proposal to modify the safe harbor warning methods required under Prop 65, the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986. These were previously introduced in 2021, revised twice and then abandoned.

The main aim of the proposal is to limit usage of the short form of the Prop 65 warning. Currently, companies can use the short form without identifying the chemical name that the warning applies to.

SGS has published Stakeholder 149.23 to provide an overview of the latest proposal. It includes information on previous proposals, highlights of the current proposal and a table with examples of the proposed new short form warning labels relating to exposure to:
- Carcinogens
- Reproductive toxicants
- Both carcinogens and reproductive toxicants
- A chemical that is listed as both a carcinogen and a reproductive toxicant

The OEHHA is holding a public meeting on December 13, 2023, and will accept comments until December 20, 2023.

SGS Prop 65 Services
With a global network of laboratories, SGS can offer comprehensive testing, product assessment and consultancy services related to California Proposition 65. SGS can assist your risk management strategy in consumer goods, such as DIYs, electrical and electronics, hardgoods products, juvenile products, and textile & toy products. In the end, it’s only trusted because it’s tested. Learn more about SGS’s Prop 65 Services.

SGS SafeGuardS keep you up to date with the latest news and developments in the consumer goods industry. Read the full California reintroduces proposal to modify Prop 65 warning methods SafeGuardS.

Subscribe here to receive SGS SafeGuardS direct to your inbox.

For further information contact:

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

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

SGS Summarizes New Mandatory National Standard for Musical Instruments in China

SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, has published SafeGuardS 152.23 to provide stakeholders with an overview of China’s new mandatory national standard for musical instruments – GB 28489-2022.

The new standard will come into force on January 1, 2024, superseding the previous standard, GB/T 28489-2012. It establishes requirements for the content of harmful substances in musical instruments and updates testing methods.

It applies to musical instruments, accessories and packaging and relates to the entire supply chain. The standard has two categories:
- Category A: instruments and accessories that come into direct contact with the player's mouth under normal usage
- Category B: instruments, accessories and indoor packaging that, while not in direct contact with the player's mouth, is still accessible under normal usage

Products manufactured or imported in China before January 1, 2024, will have a transition period of one year.

SGS has published SafeGuardS 152.23 to provide stakeholders with a complete overview of the new standard. It includes a table detailing the harmful substances included in the standard along with limit requirements.

Stakeholders are advised to review the original SGS SafeGuardS 152.23 for more details.

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 China Publishes New Mandatory National Standard for Musical Instruments SafeGuardS.

Subscribe here to receive SGS SafeGuardS direct to your inbox.

For further information contact:

Ethan Zhang
Technical Supervisor, EET RSTS
Tel: (86) 574 8776 7006 ext. 6007
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

SGS SafeGuardS Covers EPA Proposal to Ban Trichloroethylene

SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, publishes summary of a proposed rule by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate the use of the solvent trichloroethylene (TCE).

The proposal was issued in the Federal Register on October 31, 2023. If accepted it will restrict TCE under section 6 of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), using a one-year staggered timeline to prohibit its manufacture, import, processing and distribution. Longer phase-out periods will be granted by the EPA for certain uses.

This move follows similar proposals made in 2023 to regulate perchloroethylene (Perc) and methylene chloride.

SGS publishes SafeGuardS to keep businesses informed about regulatory and market changes. SafeGuardS 154.23 includes examples of potential longer phase-out periods and details additional requirements. It also contains information on some of the uses of TCE and the reason why the EPA is seeking to ban it.

Stakeholders should review SGS’s original SafeGuardS 154.23 to learn more.

The EPA will accept comments until December 15, 2023.

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 EPA Proposes Ban on Trichloroethylene SafeGuardS.

Subscribe here to receive SGS SafeGuardS direct to your inbox.

For further information contact:

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

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/cp
LinkedIn: SGS Connectivity & Products

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