SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, is advising stakeholders that the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a final rule to revise formaldehyde rules for composite wood products.

Final Rule 88 FR 10468 was published on February 21, 2023. It revises the Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Products Act, which added Title VI to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA Title VI).

Changes introduced by the latest Final Rule include:

• Several voluntary consensus standards updated
• Reference to section 6.2.2 under ISO/IEC 17065:2021 added, allowing external evaluation resources, such as contracting out inspections to a third party in order to complete the certification process
• Remote quarterly inspections by a third party certifier (TPC) formally accepted
• Intermediate range value of 0.038 and upper range value of 0.052 to the equation for when ASTM D6007-14 (small chamber) method added as considered equivalent to the ASTM E1333-14 (large chamber) method (§770.20 (d)(1)(iii))

SGS has published SafeGuardS 030.23 to help stakeholders understand the provisions in Final Rule 88 FR 10468. It includes a table detailing the new voluntary consensus standards and further details of the impact on remote quarterly inspections.

Stakeholders are advised to review original SafeGuardS 030.23 to stay informed on the changes and their impact.

The final rule came into effect on March 23, 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 US EPA Issues Final Rule for Formaldehyde Emissions from Composite Wood Products 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 Schubert

Senior Technical Manager

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/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.

Delightful Tours, the creators of the Portugal Food and Wine experience, has just announced their newest experience: a 7 day Mexico City Food Experience. From November 7-14, 2023, travelers will explore the Mexican cuisine, culture, and spirituality in one of the most vibrant cities in the world.

The tour includes 3 lunch experiences, 2 dinner experiences plus heavy appetizers, a wine tasting session, tequila, mezcal and chocolate tasting session, a tour of Chapultepec Castle with a and Xochimilco and Coyoacan. Additionally, participants will enjoy a Sanctuary day pass with lunch, as well as a cacao ceremony at El Santuario Valle de Bravo and an entrance ticket to the Chocolate Museum. Airport transfers are also included in this amazing experience.

“We are excited to offer this new experience to travelers who want to discover what Mexico City has to offer," said Leslie Brashear of Delightful Tours. "This cultural journey is sure to be an unforgettable adventure!"

The tour will be based in the Reforma neighborhood in Mexico City for seven nights with several meals included in the price as well as free time for guests to explore the street foods and restaurants on their own. This exclusive opportunity is available for only 12 people so sign up soon!

To learn more about Delightful Tours' Mexico City Food Experience or to make your reservation today visit https://delightful.tours/mexico-city-food-experience.

You can also contact Leslie directly at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by calling 404-969-2277.

SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, is reminding stakeholders that they have until April 3, 2023, to comment on the European Chemicals Agency’s (ECHA) plan to add two chemicals to the substances of very high concern (SVHC) list.

The ECHA launched a 45-day consultation on February 17, 2023, concerning:

• Bis(4-chlorophenyl) sulphone
• Diphenyl(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)phosphine oxide

Bis(4-chlorophenyl) sulphone is used in the manufacture of polymers, rubber and other chemicals. If approved, it will be identified as very persistent and very bioaccumulative (vPvB) according to Article 57 (e) of Regulation (EC) 1907/2006 (REACH)

Diphenyl (2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl) phosphine oxide is used in the manufacture of coatings, inks and adhesives. If accepted, it will be identified as a substance meeting Article 57 (c) of Regulation (EC) 1907/2006 (REACH) owing to its classification as toxic for reproduction 1B.

The list of SVHCs currently stands at 233 and so, if these are approved, the list will then total 235.

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 ECHA Consults Over Listing Two Substances as SVHCs 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/cp

LinkedIn: sgs-consumer-goods-&-retail

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 help stakeholders understand the new test method to help the textile industry reduce textile shedding during laundering from International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

SafeGuardS 031.23 contains details of the background to the development of ISO 4484-1, about why microplastics are now a major concern to governments, consumers and the scientific community. It also contains details of the scope and provisions in the test method.

SGS began participating in the Cross Industry Agreement (CIA) in 2018, as a research organization helping to develop a harmonized test method for fiber fragmentation. This has now been handed to CEN.

SGS is also able to test to ISO 4484-1and AATCC TM212-2021 and is approved by The Microfiber Consortium (TMC) to provide small-scale TMC test services for the industry. Additionally, SGS can offer fiber fragmentation testing to in-house full-scale methods.

Stakeholders are advised to review original SafeGuardS 031.23 for more information, including links to other useful documents.

SGS Softlines Services

SGS has a worldwide network of over 40 state-of-the-art laboratories, including 10 in China, specializing in testing of apparel, footwear, and home textiles. Their committed team is drawn from multi-disciplinary backgrounds, allowing them to conduct a comprehensive range of physical, chemical, and functional testing services for components, materials and finished products. SGS helps companies ensure quality, performance, and compliance with international, industrial, and regulatory standards worldwide. In the end, it’s only trusted because it’s tested. Learn more about SGS’s Softlines Services.

SGS SafeGuardS keep you up to date with the latest news and developments in the consumer goods industry. Read the full ISO Launches New Test Method to Determine Material Loss from Fabrics During Washing SafeGuardS.

Subscribe here to receive SGS SafeGuardS direct to your inbox.

For further information contact:

Louann Spirito

Consumer and Retail – Softlines

US & Canada Softlines Business Head

Tel: +1 973 461 7919

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

Website: www.sgs.com/softlines

LinkedIn: sgs-consumer-goods-&-retail

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.