Latest news with #Evaluation
The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Thousands of ‘toxic' toys are recalled in UK over chemical that ‘can damage children's reproductive systems'
THOUSANDS of 'toxic' toys have been recalled in the UK, over fears they could damage the reproductive systems of children. Parents are urged to immediately remove the toys from their children, and dispose of them responsibly. 1 The toy is being destroyed at the border Credit: Amazon The remote control toy, targeted at primary school aged boys, was sold via Amazon, with the Amazon has now removed its listing for the QUNREDA Remote Control Car, after a Serious chemical risk The report found that the product presents a "serious chemical risk" due to excess concentrations of phthalates. It has also been incorrectly labelled. Read more recall stories The notice reads: "The product presents a serious chemical risk as it has an excessive concentration of phthalates. "Phthalates may harm the health of children, possibly causing damage to the reproductive system if ingested. "The product is also incorrectly labelled, with no manufacturer's name and address on the toy. It continued: "The product does not meet the requirements of the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation & Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) Enforcement Regulations 2008 or the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011." Most read in The Sun Product destroyed at border The safety report then revealed that the product is now being rejected at the border and "destroyed." Anyone who owns the product, which has a model number of RCQ1 should contain Amazon, and should be able to get a refund. Aldi urgently recalls £3.29 freezer essential over dangerous disease that affects 1 in 100 of Brits Products are commonly recalled when they pose a risk to customers' health. If you are worried about the safety of one of your products, check the government website, to see if a recall has been issued. Recent product recalls This comes as Citroen recalled tens of thousands of cars from UK dealerships, to Citroen DS3 models built between 2009 and 2019 and CS3 models built between 2009 and 2016 were Your product recall rights Chief consumer reporter James Flanders reveals all you need to know. Product recalls are an important means of protecting consumers from dangerous goods. As a general rule, if a recall involves a branded product, the manufacturer would usually have lead responsibility for the recall action. But it's often left up to supermarkets to notify customers when products could put them at risk. If you are concerned about the safety of a product you own, always check the manufacturer's website to see if a safety notice has been issued. When it comes to appliances, rather than just food items, the onus is usually on you - the customer - to register the appliance with the manufacturer as if you don't there is no way of contacting you to tell you about a fault. If you become aware that an item you own has been recalled or has any safety noticed issued against it, make sure you follow the instructions given to you by the manufacturer. They should usually provide you with more information and a contact number on its safety notice. In some cases, the manufacturer might ask you to return the item for a full refund or arrange for the faulty product to be collected. You should not be charged for any recall work - such as a repair, replacement or collection of the recalled item This led to a notice that owners of these models them until the problem is resolved. A Shoppers have been warned not to eat the popular sweet treat. The Food Standards Agency warned that the Neosis Schokolade Love of But this is not mentioned on the label, making it a possible health risk to anyone with an Shops selling the chocolate are warned to "immediately stop sales and to undertake product withdrawals".
Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Thousands of ‘toxic' toys are recalled in UK over chemical that ‘can damage children's reproductive systems'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THOUSANDS of 'toxic' toys have been recalled in the UK, over fears they could damage the reproductive systems of children. Parents are urged to immediately remove the toys from their children, and dispose of them responsibly. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 The toy is being destroyed at the border Credit: Amazon The remote control toy, targeted at primary school aged boys, was sold via Amazon, with the dangerous gadget imported to the UK from China. Amazon has now removed its listing for the QUNREDA Remote Control Car, after a Serious Product Safety Report was issued by the Government. Serious chemical risk The report found that the product presents a "serious chemical risk" due to excess concentrations of phthalates. It has also been incorrectly labelled. The notice reads: "The product presents a serious chemical risk as it has an excessive concentration of phthalates. "Phthalates may harm the health of children, possibly causing damage to the reproductive system if ingested. "The product is also incorrectly labelled, with no manufacturer's name and address on the toy. It continued: "The product does not meet the requirements of the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation & Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) Enforcement Regulations 2008 or the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011." Product destroyed at border The safety report then revealed that the product is now being rejected at the border and "destroyed." Anyone who owns the product, which has a model number of RCQ1 should contain Amazon, and should be able to get a refund. Aldi urgently recalls £3.29 freezer essential over dangerous disease that affects 1 in 100 of Brits Products are commonly recalled when they pose a risk to customers' health. If you are worried about the safety of one of your products, check the government website, to see if a recall has been issued. Recent product recalls This comes as Citroen recalled tens of thousands of cars from UK dealerships, to replace potentially lethal airbags. Citroen DS3 models built between 2009 and 2019 and CS3 models built between 2009 and 2016 were affected by the recall, which comes after a French woman was killed following a crash as her airbag sent metal fragments into her face causing fatal injuries. Your product recall rights Chief consumer reporter James Flanders reveals all you need to know. Product recalls are an important means of protecting consumers from dangerous goods. As a general rule, if a recall involves a branded product, the manufacturer would usually have lead responsibility for the recall action. But it's often left up to supermarkets to notify customers when products could put them at risk. If you are concerned about the safety of a product you own, always check the manufacturer's website to see if a safety notice has been issued. When it comes to appliances, rather than just food items, the onus is usually on you - the customer - to register the appliance with the manufacturer as if you don't there is no way of contacting you to tell you about a fault. If you become aware that an item you own has been recalled or has any safety noticed issued against it, make sure you follow the instructions given to you by the manufacturer. They should usually provide you with more information and a contact number on its safety notice. In some cases, the manufacturer might ask you to return the item for a full refund or arrange for the faulty product to be collected. You should not be charged for any recall work - such as a repair, replacement or collection of the recalled item This led to a notice that owners of these models should stop driving them until the problem is resolved. A viral Dubai-style chocolate bar has also recently been urgently recalled over a dangerous health risk. Shoppers have been warned not to eat the popular sweet treat. The Food Standards Agency warned that the Neosis Schokolade Love of Dubai chocolate contains peanuts. But this is not mentioned on the label, making it a possible health risk to anyone with an allergy to the nut. Shops selling the chocolate are warned to "immediately stop sales and to undertake product withdrawals".
Euractiv
08-07-2025
- Health
- Euractiv
Animal Testing Under REACH: It's Time to Take 'Last Resort' Seriously
The European legal framework requires its Member States to pay full regard to animal welfare standards when formulating and implementing policies. Yet, when it comes to chemical safety, the EU's flagship regulation, REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals), still relies heavily on animal testing, despite its stated commitment to making this a 'last resort.' REACH was designed with the core objective to protect people and the environment from dangerous chemicals. At the same time, the regulation claims to support and promote the use of non-animal methods as one of its overarching purposes, as outlined in its first article. In reality, this commitment is not being upheld: almost two decades into its implementation, REACH still relies on often-outdated testing methods, which involve not only significant animal suffering, but questionable scientific reliability. REACH promotes the use of alternatives 'whenever possible' (Article 13), and Article 25 explicitly states that testing on animals should only occur as a last resort. Yet in practice, these commitments are frequently bypassed. A report[1] published in 2024 by leading scientists and organisations revealed that the last resort requirement isn't always respected in practice. Companies continue to submit animal data on a routine basis, often because such data is perceived as more readily acceptable. Regulators frequently request or accept animal-based studies, even when suitable non-animal methods are available. The contradictory effects and implications of this approach are evident in the numbers. The scale of animal testing in the EU is staggering. In 2022 alone, over 8.4 million animals were used in scientific procedures across the European Union (EU) and Norway. Of these, more than 1.1 million were used specifically for regulatory testing, including chemical safety assessments.[2] Many of these animals endured moderate to severe suffering. For instance, chemical safety dossiers often include repeated-dose toxicity tests, skin and eye irritation tests on rabbits, and reproductive toxicity tests that use hundreds of animals per chemical. This reality stands in stark contrast to both the ethical principles and legal goals of REACH, and the situation is worsening. A 2023 review revealed that animal testing under REACH has far exceeded initial projections, with numbers expected to rise further in the coming years (Knight et al. 2023 PMID:37470350). This anticipated increase is partly driven by the potential introduction of new testing requirements, designed to enhance protection of human health and the environment. However, the actual benefit of additional animal testing remains uncertain, and without clear evidence that these new requirements will meaningfully improve safety outcomes, there is a real risk of unnecessarily expanding animal use. This isn't just an ethical issue, it's also a scientific one. Animal tests are often poor predictors of human outcomes. Numerous studies have demonstrated that non-animal models, including human cell-based assays and computational approaches, can provide more accurate, faster, and cost-effective data. For example, skin sensitisation assessments once relied upon guinea pig and mice tests, but can now be reliably assessed using a combination of cell-based and computational approaches validated by the OECD[3]. Yet, these animal-free methods are still not being utilised to their full potential. Now is the time to fix this. Nearly two decades after its introduction, REACH is set for a significant revision, offering a critical chance to close this gap between policy and practice. The European Commission has an opportunity to remove regulatory obstacles that slow the adoption of advanced, animal-free safety testing. To truly make animal testing a last resort, not the default, three key reforms should be made: 'No alternative' must truly mean 'no alternative.' Before any animal test is performed, registrants and authorities should publicly document that no equally reliable non-animal method exists. Transparency must be increased. Animal tests should only be approved if they are scientifically necessary, not just administratively convenient. Too often, testing is driven by regulatory habit rather than safety need. Ethical and scientific oversight that balances both the necessity and the ethical cost of animal testing must be required. The decision to use live animals must never be taken lightly or hidden behind bureaucratic procedure. The EU has long positioned itself as a global leader in animal welfare and regulatory innovation. But true leadership involves setting high standards and also upholding them. If REACH continues to allow animal testing as a routine fallback, it will undermine both its credibility and its fundamental expression of Europe's broader values and goals. Policymakers now have a chance to align our laws with EU's political agenda and society's technological advancement. Industry, too, stands to benefit from the rapid embrace of non-animal methods that are often faster, cheaper, and more predictive of human outcomes. By shifting the culture around chemical safety testing, we can build a system that protects people, the environment and animals, without compromising our fundamental public health and safety needs. With REACH under review, it's time to move beyond vague commitments and implement real safeguards to replace animal testing. Let's ensure that the REACH revision reflects not just the best science, but the best of what Europe stands for. By Dr Giorgia Pallocca and Antigoni Effraimidou, Humane World for Animals.
Business Journals
17-06-2025
- Business
- Business Journals
How refrigeration commissioning helps safeguard long-term performance and profitability in cold storage construction
As industrial refrigeration systems grow in complexity and cost, commissioning has emerged as an essential element for ensuring long-term efficiency, reliability and financial return. In industries where uninterrupted cooling is critical, such as cold storage, food and beverage, and pharmaceuticals, commissioning is not just beneficial — it is vital. Understanding the role of commissioning in industrial refrigeration Refrigeration systems account for the highest energy usage in cold storage facilities, with maintenance, refrigerant management and energy costs comprising a large portion of lifecycle operational expenses. Traditional questions during planning phases — such as installation cost and schedule — fail to address deeper operational concerns like long-term serviceability, lifecycle cost, regulatory impact and energy efficiency. These factors directly affect profitability and should be prioritized early in project planning. A well-structured commissioning plan addresses these gaps, beginning at design conception and continuing through installation, startup and the first year of operation. The purpose is to validate that systems are installed and functioning according to the design intent and operational requirements, ultimately supporting consistent performance and reduced lifecycle costs. Modernizing practices: The value of early and thorough commissioning Historically, commissioning in refrigeration projects was minimal, often limited to post-installation punch lists. Today, enhanced technologies — such as commissioning software, Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) services, other software tools such as energy modeling, BIM and EMV (Evaluation, Measurement and Verification) — make it easier to justify early commissioning efforts. These tools provide a baseline design comparison, visibility into system integration and performance, improve energy efficiency and help avoid costly failures. Forward-thinking developers and owners increasingly recognize that robust commissioning plans significantly reduce emergency service calls, product losses and operational disruptions, especially in mission-critical environments like data centers, food production and health care storage. Core phases of a refrigeration commissioning plan 1. Planning and design Objective: Ensure the refrigeration system is designed to be commissionable. Key actions: Form a Commissioning (Cx) team with defined roles and responsibilities. Develop foundational documents: Owner Requirements (OR), Basis of Design (BD) and Construction Documents (CDs). Align Cx efforts with budgets and schedules early in design. 2. Construction and installation Objective: Ensure critical systems are installed correctly to meet operational and energy performance targets. Key actions: Define clear responsibilities across contractors and subcontractors. Plan for pre-functional testing and system integration early in scheduling. Maintain quality control over major refrigeration components and controls infrastructure. 3. Startup and operation Objective: Validate that the system operates as intended and supports long-term operational goals. Key actions: Perform thorough system startup procedures and documentation. Facilitate training for facility operations teams. Conduct post-occupancy evaluations and adjustments during the first year. Bridging design and execution: The CxA advantage A Commissioning Authority (CxA) serves as a critical bridge between design and execution. Their early involvement helps identify scope gaps — such as those related to refrigeration controls or electrical systems — that might otherwise go unaddressed until late in the process, leading to change orders or costly delays. By engaging a CxA at the outset, stakeholders benefit from proactive risk management and coordinated delivery. Stakeholder collaboration and accountability Commissioning thrives on cross-disciplinary collaboration. Owners, design teams, refrigeration contractors, engineers and CxAs must each understand their role within the Cx process. When clearly defined, this shared accountability helps prevent scope omissions and reinforces alignment throughout the project lifecycle. Commissioning as a competitive advantage In markets where reliability is paramount, commissioning can differentiate a project. It ensures that refrigeration systems support operational goals, adhere to regulatory codes and reduce total cost of ownership. Flexible designs with redundancy, room conversions and future expansion capabilities also elevate a project's long-term value. As cold storage and industrial refrigeration markets expand, facilities equipped with thorough commissioning protocols will enjoy enhanced reliability, energy efficiency and cost control. In an environment where downtime translates to direct financial loss, commissioning is not a luxury — it is a necessity. Brinkmann Constructors is the employee-owned leader in the construction industry with a passion for finding creative solutions that save time, minimize costs and deliver the greatest value. With five offices and a project footprint in over 40 states, our reach spans nationwide with a vast portfolio of projects in multifamily, senior living, industrial, cold storage, retail, automotive and more. Mike Bildner has approximately 20 years of construction management experience, most notably 10 years of experience designing and managing refrigeration mechanical projects for a leading full-service mechanical contracting firm before joining Brinkmann. As the MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing) manager, Bildner is responsible for managing and leading MEP subcontractors throughout the project, developing the CPM schedule for all MEP installation activities, reviewing and approving material and equipment for MEP systems before installation, monitoring the installation and startup of the MEP systems, and commissioning of the project with the engineer and owner.
Hans India
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Free Speech Does Not Mean Hurting Sentiments of Others: Justice V Ramasubramanian
Hyderabad: 'Free speech does not mean hurting the sentiments of others,' remarked Justice V. Ramasubramanian, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and former judge of the Supreme Court of India, while addressing a national seminar on Judiciary as the Guardian of Human Rights: An In - Depth Evaluation on Tuesday. Justice Ramasubramanian emphasized the delicate balance courts must maintain when constitutional freedoms come into conflict. 'When two rights compete, the courts must apply extreme caution. In such cases, Article 18 helps determine which right prevails,' he noted. India is not an easy country to govern, he said, highlighting the judiciary's role since Independence and classifying its contributions into four key areas. The first, he said, is facilitating access to justice. 'Facilitating access to justice for the common man is the first step,' he said. Expanding the Scope of Article 21, which guarantees the right to life and liberty, has evolved to include the right to livelihood, dignity, and freedom of movement. The third important contribution, he noted, is uplifting Directive Principles. He explained that the judiciary has interpreted the Directive Principles of State Policy as enforceable by aligning them with Article 21, thereby giving them constitutional strength. The fourth core contribution, he said, is creating laws where none exist. He praised the courts' proactive role in establishing temporary legal frameworks - such as gender sensitization committees for women - in the absence of formal legislation. Justice Dr Shameem Akhtar, Judge of the Telangana High Court, remarked, 'No system is perfect, but ours is evolving towards a more just and compassionate society.' Dr Vidyadhar Bhatt C., Secretary and CEO of the Telangana State Human Rights Commission (TSHRC), stated that in a democratic country, the judiciary is the guardian of human rights. The seminar concluded with a consensus that the judiciary remains the most trusted and consistent guardian of human rights in India. The event was attended by senior members of the bar, law students, civil society representatives, and members of the media.
