The New ISO 4210:2014 Safety Standard For Bicycles Coming Soon
The contents of newly published ISO 4210:2014 Safety requirements for bicycles have been determined by the ISO cycles Technical Committee in collaboration with the CEN cycles Technical Committee. The requirements for bicycles are laid out in nine parts, and classify bicycles for four categories of usage: city and trekking, mountain, road racing and young adult bicycles.
 
Within the standard’s introduction it states “…that it was developed in response to a demand throughout the world. The aim is to ensure that bicycles manufactured in compliance with the International Standard will be as safe as is practically possible. The tests are designed to ensure the strength and durability of individual parts as well as of the bicycle as a whole.”
 
ISO 4210:2014 is scheduled to be adopted in more than 30 European countries, including France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom in August of 2015, and highly probable to be adopted by many other ISO participating countries like Japan, China, Israel, and South Africa. More information about the standard may be found by visiting the Online Browsing Platform (OBP) of the ISO website.

CPSC Proposes Revised Phthalate Requirements

 

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has proposed a revision to Section 108 of the CPSIArequirements concerning phthalates in order to add several additional phthalates to the permanent ban list. Commonly used as plasticizers for polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastics, phthalates can be found in teethers, plastic toys, home furnishings, cosmetics, bicycle saddles and grips, and many other consumer products. The proposed rule would expand the list of permanently banned phthalates from three to six.

 

Standing regulations under CPSIA Section 108(a) prohibit the sale, distribution or importation of any children’s toy or child care articles that contains more than 0.1 percent of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), or butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP). Several phthalates are also prohibited on an interim basis; these are diisononyl phthalate (DINP), diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP), or di-n-octyl phthalate (DNOP).
A report released in 2014 based on research conducted by a CPSC-commissioned Chronic Hazard Advisory Panel (CHAP) contains recommendations to permanently ban DIBP, DPENP, DHEXP, and DCHP, and to impose an interim ban on DIOP. The CHAP also recommended changing the interim ban on DNIP to permanent, and to remove DNOP and DIDP from the interim ban. The proposed rule would prohibit the manufacture for sale, offer for sale, distribution in commerce or importation into the United States of any children’s toy or child care article that contains concentrations of more than 0.1 percent of DINP, DIBP, DPENP, DHEXP or DCHP.

Under Section 108, third party testing and certification is required for children’s toys and child care articles, as well as toys that can be placed in a child’s mouth. According to the CPSC, a “children’s toy” is defined as any consumer product designed or intended for a child who is 12 years old or younger. “Child care articles” are consumer products designed or intended for a child who is 3 years old or younger, to facilitate sleeping or feeding, or to help a child who is suckling or teething. For more information see Prohibition of Children’s Toy and Child Care Articles Containing Specified Phthalates atregulations.gov.

ACT Engages in International Consumer Safety Symposium at ICPHSO
When the International Consumer Product Health and Safety Organization (ICPHSO) gathered in Orlando, Florida for its annual symposium, ACT was there to take part in the exchange of ideas and information on health and safety issues that come into play in the global marketplace.
ACT President and CEO John Bogler joined more than 700 participants from government agency’s,manufacturing, compliance, trade, retail, testing, academia, media and advocacy groups to participate in the collective effort to advance consumer product health and safety worldwide. The assemblage included representatives from the CSPC, Fisher Price, Walmart, Target, the Toy Industry Association and others convening to tackle such important issues as data sharing, reducing injury from latent hazards, transparency and technology, product recalls, customs and shipping, chemical hazards and more. For more information about ICPHSO go to www.ICPHSO.org
ACT Renews Membership in BPSA, Joins OIA

 

ACT Lab is proud to announce it’s continuedmembership within the Bicycle Product Suppliers Association and has newly joined the Outdoor Industry Association. These affiliations will allow ACT to stay engaged and abreast of the latest trends and demands within the bicycle and outdoor sports industries.

 

The BPSA is a valuable resource for the bicycle industry, providing marketplace statistical data, and a leading force behind legislative affairs and addressing cycling safety issues. The OIA is the leading trade association of the outdoor recreation industry, serving more than 4,000 manufacturers, distributors, suppliers and retailers with a strong political action committee in Washington D.C. and a broad coalition of partners across recreation, transportation and conservation. For more information about these organizations visit theBPSA and OIA websites.