|
| ||
|
EDITORIAL | ||
|
Dear Reader, |
CONTENTS | |
|
True to a tradition going back almost 60 years, PFI is
pursuing numerous research projects and is thus actively contributing to
innovative developments in the footwear and leather goods sector. Topical
final reports can be found under the heading “Research” in this
Newsletter. In order to assure ongoing expansion of our service offerings, we have been able to gain the accreditations necessary for transition to the latest test and certification standards. Our thanks go to all PFI clients and members for your valued cooperation during the past year and we look forward to continuation of our fruitful relationship in the year to come. We wish you professional and personal success and contentment for 2016. Trusting that you will have an enjoyable read Dr. Kerstin Schulte P.S.: As usual, our laboratories at Pirmasens and in China will be open for business during the week between Christmas and the New Year. |
• PFI: Accreditation for DIN EN ISO 9001:2015 and 14001:2015 • ECJ Clarifies REACH Regulation • The Chinese Footwear Market: Huge but Tough • China: Children’s Footwear Standard Comes into Force in 2016 • Rapid Test for Chromium(VI): How Reliable? • Plasticizers in Consumer Goods | |
|
NEWS | ||
|
PFI:
Accreditation for DIN EN ISO 9001:2015 and 14001:2015 Simultaneously with publication of the new standards DIN EN ISO 9001:2015 and DIN EN ISO 14001:2015, the German national accreditation body (Deutsche Akkreditierungsstelle GmbH) has awarded PFI the appropriate accreditation certificate confirming transition to the new standard. | ||
|
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ||
|
SCCP: Threshold Set for Unintentional Contamination
Hitherto there has been a lack of clarity as to the SCCP concentration up to which one can talk of contamination and the concentration at which deliberate use can be assumed. The new regulation EU 2015/2030 dispels uncertainties regarding the marketability of products. | ||
|
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ||
|
ECJ Clarifies REACH Regulation In its ruling of September 10, 2015, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) backs the view of several countries – including Germany – regarding the threshold of 0.1 percent by weight for substances of very high concern (SVHC) in products of complex composition. This ruling has far-reaching consequences for importers and retailers in the EU. | ||
|
| ||
|
PFI FAREAST | ||
|
China has long shed its image as the world’s workshop and has meanwhile become a very attractive marketplace. The Chinese have a pronounced hunger for famous «global brands» and high quality goods are much in demand. But a word of warning is in place here: Anybody wishing to gain a foothold in the Chinese market is well advised to first become thoroughly acquainted with the legal requirements pertaining to imported goods. PFI offers guidance through the Chinese standards jungle with all its surprising deviations from western standards.
| ||
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ||
|
GB 30585-2014 “Safety technical specification for children’s footwear” is the official title of the children’s footwear standard which is due to come into force in China on 1 January 2016. The new standard has great significance not only for Chinese manufacturers of children’s shoes, but also for the shoe trade, and for the inspection of shoes imported into China. | ||
|
CHEMISTRY | ||
|
Rapid Test for Chromium(VI): How Reliable? A Danish research group has developed a fast screening procedure for the contact allergen chromium(VI) in leather and metal alloys. Is this test a reliable method for
detection of chromium(VI) contamination in leather without any need for
sophisticated laboratory testing?
| ||
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ||
|
Plasticizers in Consumer Goods
For manufacturers the legal situation often appears somewhat opaque. Some plasticizers are banned, others permitted only for use in certain groups of articles. Moreover, additional national regulations exist in various European countries. More ... | ||
|
Without plasticizers running would hardly have become a popular sport | ||
|
RESEARCH | ||
|
An Ever-present Helper: The «AutoShoe»
The project belongs in the areas of «Wearable electronics» and « Mobility in old age». | ||
|
The «AutoShoe» can be fastened and opened by means of a smartwatch or a smartphone | ||
|
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ||
|
In mid-2015 PFI concluded a research project entitled «Optimisation of Penetration-resistant Inserts in Safety Shoes». The goal of the project was to optimise the penetration resistance of inserts for safety shoes of category S3. An associated task was to critically scrutinise the test criteria for penetration resistance as set out in the currently valid standards for safety shoes and penetration resistant midsoles. | ||
|
MASTHEAD | ||
|
PFI Group Phone: +49 6331 2490 0 Chairman: Ralph Rieker Managing Director: Dr. Kerstin Schulte Authors: Dr. Ines Anderie, Dr. Michal Knauer, Dr. Gerhard Nickolaus, Dr. Sigurd Riemer, M.Eng. / Dipl.-Ing.(FH) Ronny Weis, Dipl.-Ing. (FH) Thorsten Knierim Editor: Dipl.-Ing. (FH) Elisabeth Rouiller | Translation: Anthony J. Rackstraw B.Sc. (Hons) Please send us your questions and comments: newsletter@pfi-germany.de. | ||
|
| ||
2015 was a very exciting year for PFI. At
the 
