On May 8, 2025, the FDA issued a letter to retailers, distributors and importers informing them that dinnerware products such as bowls, plates, cups and utensils made from the sheath of A. catechu palm leaves have the potential to leach toxic alkaloid chemicals into food.

On 12 June 2025, the European Commission published a draft implementing Regulation creating a common disclosure format for the discarding and destruction of unsold consumer products. The disclosure obligation focuses on the discarding of unsold consumer products for the purposes of any type of waste treatment operation including for reuse and recycling. Feedback on the draft implementing Regulation is invited until 10 July 2025.

The State of Washington recently modified the scope and rigorousness of its lead content restrictions on cookware.

The European Commission has released its 2024 annual notification report on food contact materials (FCMs) and related articles, highlighting the key products affected and the most frequently reported issues.

This page lists the contact information of Hong Kong trade associations related to household products.

India has allowed the use of recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) in food contact materials (FCM) and articles.

Hong Kong is a world-renowned sourcing centre for houseware products, including tableware, kitchenware, non-electric domestic cooking/heating appliances and sanitary ware, made from a large range of materials. In response to intensified competition from indigenous Chinese companies and other Asian suppliers, Hong Kong companies are shifting from original equipment manufacturing (OEM) to original design manufacturing (ODM). A few also develop and market their own brands. They are moving upmarket by using more advanced technology in production, providing innovative designs and improving product quality.

The European Commission has published a ‘Call for Evidence’ from any interested parties on the EU’s rules on the environmental impact of professional refrigeration products. The notification states that, although annual primary energy savings are expected to reach an estimated 15.6 TWh by 2030, this current initiative will review the ecodesign and energy labelling requirements to assess whether further energy and resource savings can be attained. Hong Kong traders wishing to provide feedback may do so by the deadline of 31 March 2025.

North American consumers are accustomed to using search engines to browse through product information and refer to online reviews on popular websites before making purchases online. Hence, e-commerce businesses in North America often use search engine optimisation (SEO) strategies and place ads on online media to increase brand visibility and traffic flows.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has informed retailers and distributors of cookware that certain imported products may leach lead into food and that these should not be available on the US market. The agency will take appropriate action when violative products are found.