Testalks. Textile Testing International. M a y - J u n e Your partner in Testing. March-April Issue

Transcription

1 Testalks M a y - J u n e March-April Issue 2011 Textile Testing International Your partner in Testing

2 Table of Contents Testing & Inspections Phthalate Testing 13 New Substances of Very High Concern-REACH Risk Assessment & Supplier Surveillance. The Role of Accreditation in Building a Nation (By Hamed K.Lateef) Product Safety & Integrity Alert World Accreditation Day 2012 Corporate News In-house Trainings: ISO/IEC Trainings & Workshops

3 Phthalate Test ing Esters of orth-phthalic acid or phthalates are a class of organic compounds commonly added to plastics to increase flexibility. They are sometimes used to facilitate molding of plastic by decreasing its melting temperature. Phthalates can be found in: Flexible Plastic components (e.g., PVC) Print pastes Adhesives Plastic buttons Plastisol prints Plastic sleevings Coatings Why Phthalates Testing? Phthalate plasticizers are not chemically bound to PVC so they may leach out. Endocrine disruptors (chemicals that interfere with endocrine or hormone system in animals, including humans. These disruptions can cause cancerous tumors, birth defects, and other developmental disorders). Exhibit Bio accumulative properties (Bioaccumulation occurs when an organism absorbs a toxic substance at a rate greater than that at which the substance is lost ). Banned Phthalates Federal Standards CPSC-CH-C EN 15777: 2009 EN 14372: 2004 For further information about Phthalate testing, Contact Us at Ph: support@ttilabs.net Phthalate Testing Methods ASTM D: Regional Standards State of California under Proposition 65

4 REACH:13 News substances added as SVHC (Substances of Very High Concern) An SVHC is a chemical substance that is subject to requirements under the REACH (Registration Evaluation, and Authorization of Chemicals) Regulation in the European Union. On June 18, 2012, the ECHA Member State committee voted unanimously to add 13 additional substances to the SVHC Candidate List, for a total of 84 substances. Compliance is required immediately. The expansion of the SVHC list is part of a long term European Union (EU) strategy to regulate and limit the use of hazardous substances. Under REACH regulation, substances that are one of the following can be regarded as substance of very high concern(svhc): carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic to reproduction (CMRs); persistent, bio-accumulative and toxic (PBTs); very persistent and bio-accumulative (vpvbs); seriously and / or irreversibly damaging the environment or human health, as substances damaging the hormone system; Once a substance is added to the SVHC Candidate List, REACH imposes immediate obligations on manufacturers and importers to disclose the presence of these substances in their products. The regulation mandates that manufacturers and importers of articles are required to notify their customers and users on the presence of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) in any of their products when exceeding 0.1% by weight and provide instructions on safe use of the product. View the link below to see the candidate list View the link below for details Candidate List updated with thirteen new Substances of Very High Concern

5 Risk Assessment The Flow chart below gives an outlines of the approach which should be followed when evaluating suppliers for conformance. Technical Managers must risk assess each product to decide if: When product needs testing? What it needs to be tested for? Identify any physical testing required? Identify any chemical testing required?

6 The Role of Accreditation in the development of a Nation By Hamed K.Lateef CEO Textile Testing International Chairman Technical Committee for Halal Food Standards (PSQCA) Unlike Allah s creation, which is perfect and flawless, the products and services of mankind can always be improved, especially with respect to their quality and system, which always has room for improvement. As we enter an era of increasingly rapid change and competition, it is important for our businesses and services to demonstrate their products are fit for purpose. Accreditation and its use in technical regulations on products, processes and services plays an important role in sustainable development and trade facilitation through the promotion of safety, quality and technical compatibility. Whether it be Education, Labs, public or private sector, health, food, consumer goods, transport, Accreditation and Standardization can provide the framework for the assurance that goods and services are up to the mark All or most developed countries currently enjoy the trade benefits which flow from national accreditation systems and the greater market access which they allow. The lack of such a national accreditation program in a developing country may hamper its economic growth and development. The absence of an accreditation structure and its awareness has thus been recognized by many developing countries as a key development priority to be addressed. The process of accreditation and its associated benefits are not widely understood outside the accreditation community. The international trends of certification and accreditation that are bound to affect our economic activities are unfortunately not well understood, nor there is a sufficient preparation in an organized and institutional manner to face these challenges. In order to penetrate and capture foreign markets, we shall have to develop confidence among the foreign importers of the products or services supplied by our exporters in accordance with the international standards of quality, environment; health etc. accredited by 3rd party internationally recognized accreditation system. When it comes to the economic and commercial development of a Nation, Accredited certification is the only way through which our exporters can demonstrate to a client or an end user in a distant country that the product or service supplied by them conforms to or complies with the international standards. Accreditation is the procedure by which a person or organization is authorized by a competent body to carry out specific tasks. Accreditation also plays a vital role in improving the functioning, capability and productivity of an organization, giving definition to roles and by providing guidelines to achieve optimum Quality and Output.

7 Continued The Role of Accreditation in the development of a Nation The consumers confidence is established through accreditation, technical barriers to trade are reduced, quality of products and services is improved, and above all, export base of the country is broadened as a result of product compliance ad enhanced acceptability in the Global market. It would be extremely difficult to capture our share of world market unless importers have confidence in our products. Confidence cannot be built unless our products are able to compete and conform to international requirements. To attain this objective, we will have to ensure that whatever is exported from Pakistan conforms to the international standards. By attaining accreditation, we build confidence among our exporters that the product they will be exporting is of the required quality, meets specifications and complies with all the requirements of the applicable standards. The future s export and trade will rely heavily on accredited certification and it is necessary to adopt this route to remain in the market as well as to expand our exports. Developing an accreditation infrastructure can be a daunting task for a national government which does not perceive itself as possessing the knowledge, experience or financial resources to do so. Fortunately in Pakistan we have the competent support of PNAC, which provides accreditation to Inspection, Certification and Laboratories. Further more, the benefits which are derived are significant and extend beyond the trade sphere. Standardization and Accreditation contributes to the basic infrastructure that revolves around the society, including Life Style, Ethics, health, safety and environment while promoting sustainability and good regulatory practice. Perhaps the most basic value-added benefit to be derived from the implementation of a national accreditation program is the economic and political autonomy which can be gained. Uncertainties are reduced and national pride is bolstered through a national accreditation body. Use of a well-designed and implemented accreditation process results in an improved quality of goods and services. In developing countries, this is especially true when the accreditation scheme is integrated into a larger quality improvement and recognition program. With an increase in quality of goods comes increased access to markets and the potential for higher gains with broader sustainability and acceptability. Accreditation processes may also improve organizational efficiency through the reduction of wastages, better staffing time utilization and more effective management. Accreditation is internationally recognized as a reliable indicator of technical competence. National economies which have established an accreditation infrastructure are better positioned to build national and international confidence in the quality of products and services which they produce. Increased consumer confidence, especially on an international scale is likely to aid national and regional economic growth. In summary, accreditation is far more than a piece of paper to hang on the wall. It s a reflection of a community s commitment to professionalism today and tomorrow.

8 Product Safety & Integrity Alert Variation of Lead (Pb) Contents within the same Sample Submission Dear Customers, As your partner In Quality and Conformity, We at Tti believe that it is our duty to share technical information which can effect the product integrity of our valued clients. With reference to the issue highlighted above, We would like to inform all stakeholders that We have recently received several cases where a variation in Lead ( Pb) Contents within i hi the h same lot l off submitted b i d samples/components l /C h been has b recorded d d. The table below show the Lead Content (Pb) Values of Metal Rivets from the Top, Bottom and Thumb taken randomly from the same sample submission lot Original g Value Retest 1 Retest 2 Retest 3 Top Bottom Thumb This variation can hamper the authenticity of the test results, reducing the reproducibility and repeatability of the results. We would therefore like to request all stakeholders to monitor their supply chain. Test Reports are useful as a tool for enhancing quality and productivity only if the tested samples l are representative t ti off a homogenous h b lk shipment. bulk hi t A Failure F il i this in thi regard d can lead to claims and even cancellations. And would render the Test Report as invalid, especially for regulatory testings which are correlated by the customers of various countries For Further Information, Contact us at or l us at support@ttilabs.net l b ISO/IEC Accredited ISO/IEC Accredited w w w. t t i l a b s. n e t CPSC Accredited

9 World Accreditation Day 2012 in Pakistan Islamabad, Pakistan (14th June 2012) World Accreditation Day was commemorated by PNAC on the theme ; Accreditation "Supporting Safe Food and Clean Drinking Water". Mr.Hamed K.Lateef ( CEO Tti), while delivering his Key note Presentation on the Importance of Accreditation in the development of the country emphasized that accreditation could be used as a tool to revive the Industry, Public and private sector of Pakistan. While sharing the benefits Textile Testing International had received from the Global Recognition after the completion of 6 years of accreditation, Mr.Hamed acknowledged the support of PNAC in the country. Dr.Anjum Bashir (Director General, PNAC), in his inaugural speech appreciated the role of Tti in setting up an example for the country, being a Pakistani but Internationally recognized ISO/IEC Lab & ISO/IEC Accredited Inspection Body. He also acknowledged the collaboration between Tti and PNAC in spreading the awareness on Lab Accreditation in the country. European Union Ambassador to Pakistan, Lars Gurnnar Wigemark also spoke on the occasion encouraging PNACs role in Pakistan. View the link below for complete highlights of the Event

10 In-house Training: Revision of the Requirements of ISO/IEC Accreditation In order to increase the involvement and awareness on requirement of ISO/IEC Accreditation, The Quality Department at Tti organizes a refresher course for both the technical team and the customer services Team every year. The training session on ISO / IEC Accreditation was conducted on 26 th May 2012, which followed by a written test and viva to insure the understanding of all employees at Tti. Tti has also conducted various external trainings for the industry of Pakistan on the above mentioned topic in collaboration with PNAC ( Pakistan National Accreditation Council) at FCCI, PTEA and universities like PU and TIP Karachi. Mentioned below are the contents of the Training: Management Requirements Technical Requirements Organization Management System Document control Review of requests, tenders and contracts Subcontracting of tests and calibrations Purchasing services and supplies Service to Customer Complaints Control of non-conforming testing/ calibration Improvement Corrective actions Preventive actions Control of records Internal audits Management reviews General Personnel Accommodation and environmental conditions Test and Validation calibration methods and method Equipment Measurement traceability Sampling Handling of test and calibration items Assuring quality of test and calibration results Reporting the results