Laws and Regulations
There are different quality regulations and standards around the world that are applicable to fastening products for certain applications. Others are not directly applicable to fastening products, but do apply to our customers’ products in which our fasteners are installed. YKK has always made safety and quality top priorities and has been investing its resources to ensure that products manufactured by YKK meet all applicable standards. Below are descriptions of some of those key laws.
CPSIA(Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008)
The CPSIA was signed into law by President Bush in August 2008, amending the provisions of the Consumer Product Safety Act. The main objectives of the CPSIA were to (a) strengthen consumer product safety standards, (b) increase safety requirements for children’s products and (c) revitalize the Consumer Product Safety Commission. YKK does not make consumer products, however, its components are used in consumer products. Major requirements of the CPSIA impacting our customers’ products and YKK’s commitments are described below:The main objectives of the CPSIA
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A. Strengthen consumer product safety standards
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B. Increase safety requirements for children’s products
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C. Revitalize the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
The main requirements of CPSIA
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YKK does not make consumer products, however, its components are used in consumer products.
Major requirements of the CPSIA impacting our customers’ products and YKK’s commitments are described below:
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Lead content in surface coating and substrates
Lead content in products manufactured by YKK, except TZN airtight / watertight zippers and zippers with lead crystals/ rhinestones, does not exceed the lead content requirements of the CPSIA, as confirmed through internal testing.
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Phthalates
Products, manufactured by YKK, except TZN airtight / watertight fasteners and Rail Seal Fasteners with PVC materials, do not exceed CPSIA phthalate limitations, as confirmed through internal testing.
REACH(Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals)
REACH is the European Community Regulation on Chemicals and their safe use, which deals with registration, evaluation, authorization and restriction of chemical substances. Major requirements of the law that could be related to fastening products are listed below:-
1. SVHC (Substances of Very High Concern) None of the 46 substances listed in the candidate list of SVHC (as of March 1st, 2011) are found in YKK’s major products in a concentration more than 0.1% (w/w), except Rail Seal Fasteners with PVC materials and TZN airtight / watertight zippers.
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2. European Nickel Restriction (part of Annex XVII)All YKK products indicated as “N-ANTI” meet the above mentioned nickel restriction. Metal zippers using nickel material, such as 3YN, 3MN, 4MN, 5RN, 5RNM etc, metal finishes using nickel material, such as NP, NS, HP etc. do not meet this regulation.
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3. European Azo colorants and Azo dyes Restriction (part of Annex XVII)YKK products meet the above mentioned Azo colorants and Azo dyes restrictions.
KC Mark
KC Mark stands for "Korea Certification", and is a legally compulsory certification mark that must appear on products as specified in related laws and ordinances.YKK major products meet the above mentioned KC mark requirements.