Latest news with #hazardoussubstances
CBC
07-07-2025
- Health
- CBC
City of Cranbrook fined $175K for using potentially contaminated dirt during monster truck event
The City of Cranbrook is facing a fine of $175,783 after an inspection found several safety issues at an indoor monster truck event in February. WorkSafeBC, a provincial organization that investigates workplaces for health and safety practices, says that when it inspected the event, it found the dirt used may have been contaminated by "hazardous substances." It alleges the dirt was taken from a wastewater treatment plant without being tested for contamination. The agency also says gas detection monitors for carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide read above the acceptable exposure limit. "The employer also failed to conduct a walkthrough survey to assess the potential for overexposure to hazardous substances, failed to assess the work area to determine the potential for exposure to harmful levels of exhaust from mobile equipment, and failed to implement an exposure control plan," the investigation says. All violations noted by WorkSafeBC are classified as high risk, the agency says. In a statement issued on July 5, the city said it is appealing the fine. The city said the dirt used in February was clean fill taken from a road construction project — not the wastewater treatment plant, as stated by WorkSafeBC.
Arab News
27-06-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Seoul asks Temu, AliExpress to pull children's products over safety concerns
SEOUL: The Seoul city government has asked online retail giants Temu and AliExpress to suspend sales of certain children's products over safety concerns, saying Friday that some goods far exceeded local limits for hazardous substances. Chinese e-commerce titans like Shein, Temu and AliExpress have seen a surge in global popularity in recent years, drawing in consumers with a wide range of trendy, ultra-low-cost fashion and accessories — positioning them as major rivals to US giant Amazon. Their rapid rise has triggered growing scrutiny over business practices and product safety, including in South Korea. The Seoul city government said Friday it recently inspected 35 children's products sold on Temu and AliExpress — including umbrellas, raincoats and rain boots — and found that 11 failed to meet South Korea's safety standards or contained hazardous substances above local limits. In six of the umbrellas, phthalate-based plasticizers — chemicals used to make plastics more flexible — were found at levels far exceeding safety standards, the city said in a statement. Some of those products exceeded the domestic safety limit by up to 443.5 times for the chemical, while two items were found to contain lead at levels up to 27.7 times higher than the locally acceptable level. Based on the inspection results, the Seoul government said it 'has requested that online platforms suspend sales of the non-compliant products.' It also noted that 'prolonged exposure to harmful substances can affect children's growth and health,' and highlighted the need to carefully review product information before making purchases. The Seoul government told AFP the retailers have no legal obligations to comply with their request. But Temu said it 'immediately initiated an internal review' after receiving notice from the city government, and that it was 'in the process of removing the said items.' 'We are continuously improving on our quality control system to prevent, detect, and remove non-compliant products,' a Temu spokesperson told AFP. AliExpress did not immediately reply to a request for comment. Phthalate-based plasticizers can cause endocrine disorders, while lead exposure above safety limits can impair reproductive functions and increase the risk of cancer, according to Seoul authorities. Last year, the city government said women's accessories sold by Shein, AliExpress and Temu contained toxic substances sometimes hundreds of times above acceptable levels. The European Union last year added Shein to its list of digital firms that are big enough to come under stricter safety rules — including measures to protect customers from unsafe products, especially those that could be harmful to minors.
CNA
27-06-2025
- Business
- CNA
Seoul asks Temu, AliExpress to pull children's products over safety concerns
SEOUL: The Seoul city government has asked online retail giants Temu and AliExpress to suspend sales of certain children's products over safety concerns, saying on Friday (Jun 27) that some goods far exceeded local limits for hazardous substances. Chinese e-commerce titans like Shein, Temu and AliExpress have seen a surge in global popularity in recent years, drawing in consumers with a wide range of trendy, ultra-low-cost fashion and accessories - positioning them as major rivals to US giant Amazon. Their rapid rise has triggered growing scrutiny over business practices and product safety, including in South Korea. The Seoul city government said on Friday it recently inspected 35 children's products sold on Temu and AliExpress - including umbrellas, raincoats and rain boots - and found that 11 failed to meet South Korea's safety standards or contained hazardous substances above local limits. In six of the umbrellas, phthalate-based plasticisers - chemicals used to make plastics more flexible - were found at levels far exceeding safety standards, the city said in a statement. Some of those products exceeded the domestic safety limit by up to 443.5 times for the chemical, while two items were found to contain lead at levels up to 27.7 times higher than the locally acceptable level. Based on the inspection results, the Seoul government said it "has requested that online platforms suspend sales of the non-compliant products". It also noted that "prolonged exposure to harmful substances can affect children's growth and health", and highlighted the need to carefully review product information before making purchases. Temu and AliExpress did not immediately reply to requests for comment from AFP. The Seoul government told AFP the retailers have no legal obligations to comply with their request. Phthalate-based plasticisers can cause endocrine disorders, while lead exposure above safety limits can impair reproductive functions and increase the risk of cancer, Seoul authorities said. Last year, the city government said women's accessories sold by Shein, AliExpress and Temu contained toxic substances sometimes hundreds of times above acceptable levels. The European Union last year added Shein to its list of digital firms that are big enough to come under stricter safety rules - including measures to protect customers from unsafe products, especially those that could be harmful to minors.
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
How to meet chemical safety packaging regulations
Chemical safety compliance is a crucial aspect of industries handling hazardous substances. Proper packaging not only protects the environment and people but also ensures adherence to strict regulations imposed nationally and internationally. Packaging for chemical safety compliance involves a combination of suitable materials, precise labelling, and robust design standards to prevent accidents and legal penalties. This article explores the essentials of chemical packaging, focusing on how businesses can meet compliance requirements effectively. Packaging hazardous chemicals is far more than just containing a product. It is about preventing leaks, spills, and dangerous reactions during transport and storage. Chemicals come with diverse properties — some are corrosive, flammable, or toxic — and each requires specific packaging solutions to maintain safety. Safety packaging helps reduce risks to handlers, emergency responders, and the public. Improper packaging can lead to chemical exposure, environmental contamination, and costly recalls or fines. Moreover, compliance with regulations such as the European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR), the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of classification and labelling, and the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) in the UK, is legally binding. The right packaging also plays a key role in maintaining the integrity of chemicals during shipment. It prevents contamination and degradation, ensuring products arrive safely and function as intended. Hence, companies must pay close attention to packaging materials, labelling, and design specifications to remain compliant and uphold safety standards. Choosing the correct packaging materials is the foundation of chemical safety compliance. Packaging must be resistant to the chemical it contains and able to withstand external factors like temperature changes, pressure, and physical impact. Common materials include high-density polyethylene (HDPE) drums, glass bottles, metal cans, and composite containers, each suited for different types of chemicals. For example, corrosive acids may require corrosion-resistant plastic or lined steel drums, while volatile solvents might need sealed metal containers to prevent vapour release. Packaging design also involves secondary containment — such as placing a chemical container inside a secure outer packaging to catch leaks — and incorporating features like tamper-evident seals and pressure-relief valves where necessary. This reduces the risk of spills and explosions, especially during transport. Packaging must pass rigorous testing, including drop tests, leakproofness, and pressure resistance, in line with standards like UN recommendations on the transport of dangerous goods. Such certifications demonstrate the packaging's capability to safely contain chemicals under routine and emergency conditions. Accurate labelling is essential for chemical safety compliance and plays a vital role in emergency response. Labels must clearly display hazard pictograms, signal words such as 'Danger' or 'Warning', hazard statements, and precautionary advice as per the Globally Harmonized System (GHS). Beyond labels, packages need accompanying documentation like Safety Data Sheets (SDS), transport permits, and declarations of dangerous goods. These documents provide detailed information about chemical properties, handling instructions, and emergency measures. Failing to comply with labelling and documentation requirements can result in significant legal penalties and increased safety risks. Clear, consistent labelling aids in the correct handling and storage of chemicals by workers and logistics personnel, preventing accidents. Businesses must keep abreast of regulatory changes and ensure all packaging is updated accordingly. Many industries use specialised software to manage compliance documentation and label printing, reducing errors and improving traceability. Maintaining compliance requires continuous monitoring and improvements. Regular audits of packaging materials, design, and labelling processes help identify potential gaps before incidents occur. Training employees in chemical handling and packaging regulations ensures awareness of best practices and the importance of compliance. Staff should know how to inspect packaging for damage, verify labels, and correctly prepare shipments. Sustainability is also becoming a key consideration in chemical packaging. Selecting recyclable or reusable packaging materials helps reduce environmental impact while maintaining safety standards. Furthermore, businesses benefit from collaborating with packaging experts and regulatory consultants to keep up with evolving safety standards and industry trends. Investing in research and development to innovate safer, more efficient packaging solutions provides a competitive edge. Ultimately, packaging for chemical safety compliance is a complex but essential task for any organisation dealing with hazardous materials. From selecting suitable packaging materials and design to ensuring clear labelling and documentation, every step must meet strict regulatory requirements. Adopting best practices in packaging not only safeguards people and the environment but also protects businesses from legal and financial risks. As regulations evolve and sustainability gains focus, ongoing vigilance and innovation will be key to maintaining effective chemical safety compliance. "How to meet chemical safety packaging regulations" was originally created and published by Packaging Gateway, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
