In order to ensure consumers' right, the Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection (BSMI) has published a notice to include polyvinyl chloride (PVC) floor coverings in the scope of mandatory inspection. Both imported and domestically manufactured PVC floorcoverings shall be compliant with mandatory requirements and bear the Commodity Inspection Mark before they can be placed on the market beginning from January 1, 2023.

50 PVC floor coverings were randomly purchased from the market and tested in 2020 and 2021. Among them, 28 PVC floorcoverings were not in compliant with CNS 8906 "Polyvinyl chloride floorcovering" on the limit of phthalate plasticizers, which are classified as endocrine disruptors and may affect the health of both male and female infants, said by the BSMI.

The BSMI pointed out that floor coverings that are subject to mandatory inspection are defined as those for purpose of building floors (1) by using polyvinyl chloride, not recycled, as the ingredient or material and (2) with no information on the labeling that they are not intended for use in caring places for children under 14 years of age. PVC floor coverings are subject to the conformity assessment procedure of Declaration of Conformity and the inspection standard is CNS 8906.

The BSMI urges companies to produce or import PVC floor coverings that are in compliant with the inspection requirements to ensuring a safe living environment for consumers.

Responsible Division: 2nd Division

Contact Person: Cheng, Ching-Hong, Deputy Director

Tel. (O): +886-2343-1763

Email: ch.cheng@bsmi.gov.tw