SGS Consumer Compact
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CONSUMER COMPACT THE CONSUMER PRODUCT PUBLICATION THAT KEEPS YOU INFORMED JULY 2015 SUSTAINABILITY IS GROWTH UPDATED RULES FOR PRODUCT ENVIRONMENTAL PROFILES LAW-MAKERS AND REGULATORS REINFORCE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITMENTS DEMONSTRATING SEAFOOD SUSTAINABILITY BUILT TO LAST? A LAW IN FRANCE TO COMBAT PLANNED OBSOLESCENCE FOR APPLIANCES EDITORIAL PAGE 2 DEAR READER, If you made sustainability one of the pillars of your strategic growth, you’re doing things right, regardless of your industry. You‘re probably doing things better than a large number of your competitors. Sustainability parameters play an important role in consumers’ decisions and in the designing process of the future regulatory background of consumer industries. As a result, businesses cannot continue ignoring how their use of resources and the use of their products impact the environment, the health of consumers and the future of the industry. The newest Consumer Compact issue brings Sustainability back into focus, showcasing some of the latest updates to relevant pieces of legislation, such as the PEP Ecopassport, RoHS and several other initiatives geared towards environmental protection. Read more about the new French law aimed at ridding the market of appliances with built-in obsolescence and how toys destined for the Middle East are affected by the Chemical Requirements of GCC. Furthermore, we bring you industry examples of how the sustainable approach has been implemented in the seafood and footwear industries. Also, don’t miss out on the latest SGS insider news and our tour of SGS India’s labs. For the complete range of SGS services and support visit: www.sgs.com/cgnr. The SGS Consumer Goods and Retail Marketing Team IN THIS ISSUE INDUSTRY NEWS CONSUMER PRODUCTS Updated Rules for Product Environmental Profiles - read article Page 3 Law-makers and Regulators Reinforce Environmental Commitments - read article Page 4 SOFTLINES Sustainability in the Footwear Industry - read article Page 6 FOOD Demonstrating Seafood Sustainability - read article Page 8 TOYS & JUVENILE PRODUCTS GCC Chemical Requirements for Toys Now in Force - read article Page 10 COSMETICS, PERSONAL CARE & HOUSEHOLD In-vitro testing: alternative methods to assess toxicology and efficacy of cosmetics - read article Page 12 ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONICS Hazardous Substances Added to RoHS Directive and Their Restricted Use - read article Page 14 Built to Last? A Law in France to Combat Planned Obsolescence for Appliances - read article Page 16 SGS IN THE NEWS, SGS EVENTS AND PUBLICATIONS Focus on SGS Labs - a close look at SGS state-of-the-art testing facilities Page 18 SGS In The News & Product Recalls - new services, accreditations, updates Page 19 Trade Shows and White Papers - meet the SGS experts Page 20 SafeGuards - information on new standards, regulations and test methods Page 21 Publications & Subscriptions - stay on top of all new market developments Page 22 CONNECT WITH SGS Page 23 INDUSTRY NEWS - CONSUMER PRODUCTS PAGE 3 UPDATED RULES FOR PRODUCT ENVIRONMENTAL PROFILES The PEP ecopassport® Association Steering Committee approved the 3rd edition of its Product Category Rules (PCR) on 2 April 2015. This new edition updates existing guidance, improves clarity, ensures consistency in the Product Environmental Profiles (PEPs) being delivered, and harmonises with updated market requirements. Environmental assessments, (where appropriate) an environmental compliance of a PEP declaration to increasingly required by clients, allow assessment. The 3rd edition replaces its the scheme’s rules, as well as the the electrical, electronic and HVAC-R predecessor, though edition 2.1 remains requirements specified in ISO 14025, (heating, ventilation, air-conditioning valid for assessments until 2 October 2015. taking into account industry best practices. and refrigeration) manufacturers to demonstrate their products’ GREEN BUILDING BENEFITS STREAMLINED PEP ECOPASSPORT® environmental credentials in a clear and Harmonisation with EN 15804 means ACCREDITATION consistent format that is common across that PEP ecopassports® now count as all PEP products. With three accredited PEP verifiers , at environmental product declarations SGS we can streamline the assessment After formal verification, environmental (EPDs). This increases the schemes and verification process. We can offer assessments can be upgraded to PEP recognition by environmental labels that a ‘one stop’ PEP ecopassport® service ecopassports® – an environmental require environmental declarations for for electrical, electronic and H-VAC identity card for electrical, electronic and construction products and equipment manufacturers in Europe and North HVAC-R products. It presents the results used, such as HVE or LEED. It also meets America, saving both time and money. of a life cycle analysis (LCA) consistently the requirements of France’s Direction de We can train in-house staff to complete in accordance with international l’Habitat, de l’Urbanisme et des Paysages environmental assessments against the standards such as ISO’s 14025, 14040 (DHUP) scheme. new 3rd edition PCR, or complete the and 14044. More than 1,000 PEPs are assessment on behalf of clients. Once available for a range of E&E and HVAC-R FROM ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT complete, one of our accredited verifiers products. ® TO PEP ECOPASSPORT can make the final assessment of the Manufacturers, or third party consultants, PEP and, if appropriate, award a PEP NEW PCR, NEW RULES ® can complete environmental assessments. ecopassport . Building on the experience of the To achieve a PEP ecopassport® though, For more information on our ecodesign first 1,000 PEPs, the new PCR has an official PEP accredited verifier must services, visit SGS Product Sustainability. been updated to keep up to date approve the assessment. Supply chain Caroline Girot and harmonise its requirements assessment solutions consultants offer EcodesignConsultant with ever-changing international and support to companies in Europe, North SGS France European regulations. In particular, America or Asia in the delivery of life [email protected] the updates harmonise with EN cycle analyses that comply with the t +33 1 41 24 88 03 15804 the recent European standard requirements of the PEP ecopassport®. SGS Consumer Goods & Retail concerning environmental declarations Accredited PEP verifiers check the for construction products. The PEP Association, agile and responsive to the industry’s needs, has also taken this opportunity to clarify the data and processes required. The aim is to ensure that assessors apply the same rules and methodologies to every assessment. Full details can be found on the PEP website1. Manufacturers, or third party assessors, use the PCR to produce and verify 1 PEP Ecopassport - Produce a LCA 2 SGS Expands PEP Ecopassport Program Verification INDUSTRY NEWS - CONSUMER PRODUCTS PAGE 4 LAW-MAKERS AND REGULATORS REINFORCE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITMENTS In 2015, China reinforced its environmental policies and laws, strengthening air and water pollution controls. Almost immediately, polluters found themselves subject to litigation, for example, a group of chemical companies subjected to compensation demands for about US$26 million1. China is supporting victims of air and water pollution by actively clamping down on polluters and forcing them to comply with environmental regulations. Other countries are implementing similar measures. Some companies are also taking the lead on the subject, implementing ambitious initiatives, moving faster than policy development. Some brands and retailers are now implementing dynamic and ambitious voluntary sustainability programmes. They are measuring tangible impacts of their industrial processes and their commitments are pulling forward their services providers and competitors. For example, site assessments are routinely combined with laboratory analysis (e.g. waste water, incoming water, sludge sampling). Thus, voluntary initiatives are a strong driver for supply chain improvement, which coincide with higher regulatory and NGO pressures. But for other market players, how to identify relevant actions and make the first step? Around the world, many governments For example, as a result of the environmental risks relevant to their are strengthening regulations, with Greenpeace Detox Campaign, some sector. It is the starting point to solve commitments to build the relevant of world famous fashion brands but the issues found in the supply chain, frameworks for environmental protection also some retailers have committed to and reduce environmental footprint. and vigilance. For example: eliminating toxic chemicals from their Extending a company’s responsibility to Due diligence duty for parent manufacturing processes and supply all steps of the supply chain is driving companies in France chains. Greenpeace persuaded brands to industrials and retailers to monitor all disclose information about their supply- the potential impacts of their activities, OECD guidelines chains and their progress, in recognition worldwide, including environmental European Parliament resolution of of the public’s “right to know”. ones. It requires organisations to evolve 29 April 2015 … on the Bangladesh and acquire new skills and processes. 2 Sustainability Compact GO BEYOND THE CORPORATE SHELL SECURE SUPPLY-CHAIN ENVIRONMENTAL Increased empowerment of stakeholders Many industries saw the appearance, (NGOs, unions, etc.) and their need for in 1996, of ISO 14001 as a solution to PERFORMANCE transparency has pushed forward