In light of legislation enacted on 10 October, U.S. Customs and Border Protection will provide duty-free treatment for imports of eligible infant formula base powder entered or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption during 13 October – 31 December 2022.

The Danish Environmental Protection Agency has published a study showing that the combined effect of different endocrine disruptors (so-called cocktail effect) which are present in fast-moving consumer goods could pose a health risk to pregnant woman and young children.

Mexico has re-established for a two-year period a tariff-rate quota with an in-quota rate of zero for certain toys and baby products from all sources that are imported by eligible domestic producers.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has updated the current mandatory safety standard for infant swings to incorporate by reference ASTM’s 2022 version of the voluntary standard for these products. The updated standard will apply from 1 January 2023 unless the CPSC receives significant adverse comment by 20 October, in which case it will withdraw the direct final rule before its effective date.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission is seeking public input by 16 September and 23 September, respectively, on recent revisions to the voluntary standards for children’s folding chairs and stools and infant walkers, specifically on whether these revisions improve the safety of these consumer products.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has updated the current mandatory safety standards for frame child carriers and infant bouncer seats to incorporate by reference ASTM’s 2022 version of the voluntary standards for these products.

Hong Kong sellers of a variety of consumer products may like to know that the EU’s Official Journal has published Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/1401 as regards European standards for certain child care articles, children’s furniture, gymnastic equipment, lighters, and information and communication technology (ICT) equipment.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a direct final rule updating the current mandatory safety standards for sling carriers to incorporate by reference ASTM’s 2022 version of the voluntary standard (ASTM F2970-22) while retaining the additional requirement for warning label attachment. The updated standards will apply from 19 November unless the CPSC receives significant adverse comment by 19 September, in which case it will withdraw the direct final rule before its effective date.

On 5 August 2022, the European Commission published a draft Decision on the safety requirements to be met by European standards for certain children’s products and related products pursuant to Directive 2001/95 on general product safety. (“the General Product Safety Directive”). The proposed Decision aims to update the current standards for childcare articles other than toys which are based on a 1997 mandate that is outdated.

Massive in terms of both the size of its market and its environmental footprint, the toy industry is far from synonymous with sustainability. Two Hong Kong mothers, however, believe their innovative toy library platform could help bolster the sector’s green credentials.