What’s Trending In Compliance In September 2024

This blog was originally posted on 23rd September, 2024. Further regulatory developments may have occurred after publication. To keep up-to-date with the latest compliance news, sign up to our newsletter.

At Compliance & Risks we help manufacturers, retailers and their supply chain partners to monitor and manage global regulations via C2P, our compliance knowledge management platform.

We break down some of the top compliance trends in September 2024 that are generating the most interest globally this month.

1. UK: Management of Waste Lead Acid Batteries containing POPs, Guidance Document, August 2024

Published on 9 August 2024, this guidance applies to waste automotive, industrial and portable lead acid batteries. 

The plastic cases of waste lead acid batteries may contain persistent organic pollutants (POPs).

In waste consignment notes waste lead acid batteries that may contain POPs must be described as ‘containing POPs’.

The lead acid batteries containing POPs, or the material containing the POPs, shall be destroyed by sending them to either:

• An incinerator (D10 or R1 hazardous waste, municipal waste, or cement kiln);
• A metal smelter (R4) to destroy the POPs.

One shall only export the waste for destruction of the POPs. Section 3  ‘dispose of lead acid batteries containing POPs’ of the guide lists activities that are allowed, which may include pre-treatment to separate the POPs containing plastics for destruction.  

Operators must notify the export of lead acid batteries from England to destinations outside the UK. The Environment Agency issues consent to export the waste. 

2. EU: RoHS Exemption Validity and Rolling Plan, August 2024

On 7 August 2024, an updated table providing an overview of Annex III and IV exemptions including their validity status and submitted exemption requests was released by the EU Commission.

The validity and rolling plan is current to 6 August 2024.

Exemptions are listed numerically, with the formulation, scope and applicability shown in the cell’s comment. Both exemption start and end dates are shown, along with the date of the first renewal request submitted in due time (at least 18 months before the end date).

This document has no legal effect and is published by the EU Commission for reference purposes only.

3. Ivory Coast: Product Standards Catalogue, July 2024

This publication provides the latest Ivorian Standards Catalogue, listing all standards currently in place in Ivory Coast. The standards are listed in a table structure, presenting the standard title, its reference, and its version. It includes various industries including electricity, metallurgy, mechanics, furniture, packaging, cosmetics, environment, textile, leather technology, among others. 

The standards listed under this Catalogue fall under categories including but not limited to:

• Electricity industry, including test methods and specifications for electric conductors and cables, etc;
• Electrotechnical products, including energy efficiency of lightning fixtures, renewable energy systems for rural electrification, etc;
• Metallurgy industry;
• Mechanics, including safety requirements for household appliances, air conditioning systems, etc;
• Packaging industry, including specifications and testing of corrugated cardboard packaging, paper packaging, etc;
• Quality management – Environment, including waste, its treatment, etc;
• Textile industry and leather technology, etc.

This Catalogue contains the complete list of Ivorian standards currently in place, thereby canceling all previous publications. It, however, does not contain Ivorian standards that are currently being developed, which will be introduced by a different publication.

4. EU: Towards a Restriction of Chromium(VI) Substances Under REACH, Questions and Answers, August 2024

These questions and answers, published by the EU Commission on 05 August 2024, provide an overview of the ongoing restriction process of chromium (VI) substances under EU REACH, and its current status.

The document clarifies the reasons behind the Commission’s intention to request ECHA to prepare a proposal for a possible restriction on chromium (VI) substances. It also offers some clarification on: 

• What is the intended scope of the restriction;
• How will it account for chromium (VI) substances that have already received authorization; and
• How the Commission and ECHA plan to handle applications for and authorizations of chromium(VI) substances that might be affected by the future restriction while the restriction is still not in place.

5. Australia/New Zealand: Information Bulletin, Plug-pack Type Power Supplies, Battery Chargers and Similar Equipment with Integral Pins, June 2024

In June 2024, the SOC released a bulletin in relation to plug-pack type power supplies, battery chargers and similar equipment with integral pins.

The bulletin focuses on electrical safety regulations concerning plug-pack type equipment with integral pins, such as power supplies and battery chargers, within Australia and New Zealand. It mainly affects manufacturers and suppliers of electrical equipment such as power supplies, battery chargers, and similar equipment with integral pins.

The bulletin aims to prevent the certification of electrical equipment with integral plug pins that have international plug pins, such as US or Japanese style plug pins, or European style plug pins. It also aims to ensure the safety and compatibility of electrical equipment in Australia and New Zealand by standardizing the dimension of plugs and sockets for electrical safety.

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The top compliance trends in September 2024 is based on the most viewed regulations on C2P this month. If you would like to see C2P in action, join us for a bite-sized high-level demo to witness the true power behind C2P.

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