On 5 November 2025, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has added 1,1′-(ethane-1,2-diyl)bispentabromobenzene to the candidate list of substances of very high concern (SVHC). The Candidate List of SVHC now contains 251 entries for chemicals.
Entry added to the Candidate List on 5 November 2025:
| Substance Name | EC No. | CAS No. | Reason for inclusion | Use |
| 1,1′-(ethane-1,2-diyl)bis[pentabromobenzene] (DBDPE) | 284-366-9 | 84852-53-9 | Very persistent and very bioaccumulative, vPvB (Article 57e)） | Flame retardant |
Under REACH, companies have legal obligations when their substance is included – either on its own, in mixtures or in articles – in the Candidate List.
If an article contains a Candidate List substance above a concentration of 0.1 % (weight by weight), suppliers have to give their customers and consumers information on how to use it safely. Consumers have the right to ask suppliers if the products they buy contain substances of very high concern. Importers and producers of articles have to notify ECHA if their article contains a Candidate List substance within six months from the date it has been included in the list (5 November 2025).
Under the Waste Framework Directive, companies also have to notify ECHA if the articles they produce contain substances of very high concern in a concentration above 0.1 % (weight by weight). This notification is published in ECHA’s database of substances of concern in products (SCIP).
Source: https://echa.europa.eu/-/echa-adds-one-hazardous-chemical-to-the-candidate-list-2
The Care Food GBA Standard is the first Greater Bay Area (GBA) standard in the silver economy sector led by Hong Kong. During the development of this standard, CMA Testing, as a third-party testing institution, participated deeply. Leveraging comprehensive and clear technical support, we contributed professional expertise to enhance product quality and food safety.
CMA Testing provides relevant testing services based on the Standard. We offer third-party quality assurance services covering testing, inspection, and certification. By integrating international experience with the localized needs of the Greater Bay Area, we promote technological innovation to ensure products are safe and reliable, addressing the practical needs of cross-border elderly care.
Contact us to learn more
Shanghai:
(+86) 021 6433 0500
info.sh@cmatesting.org
Shenzhen:
(+86) 0755 8835 0808
info.sc@cmatesting.org
CMA+ InnoLIFE member “#Ginpact” successfully utilized our “A+ Mark” for third-party testing and packaging label review. Empowered by the CMA+ platform to go global, they successfully collaborated with Tmall Global and gained exposure at the Mega Show in HKCEC, reaching global consumers.
Making a product market-ready and achieving successful global expansion can’t be done in a single step. But at CMA+, with technology, product development, and one-stop global expansion support, you can always find your brand’s positioning!
Want to become part of our community? Want to be our next partner in large-scale exhibitions and tap into more markets? Have ideas for going global but unsure how to realize them?
GoGlobal Services / InnoLIFE Membership Inquiries:
Karen Yip (+852) 9440 4122 karenyip@cmatesting.org
Mick Wong (+852) 6899 6729 mickwong@cmatesting.org
Sarah Cui (+021) 6433 0500 sarahcui@cmatesting.org
Click to learn more about A+ mark: https://www.cmatesting.org/aplus-mark/
CMA Testing and CMA+, together with InnoBlock Technology Limited, proudly presents a comprehensive training course on the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).
CBAM will be implemented in 2026, directly impacting businesses exporting to the EU! Our course provides essential insights on:
- The core principles & latest requirements of CBAM
- Hands-on guidance on compliance & reporting
- Calculating product carbon footprint
- Effective strategies for risk management
Limited seats available! Scan the QR code or click to register now!
[Registration link]：https://www.wjx.top/vm/mKYyNqI.aspx#
On October 21, we held a special launching ceremony. A defining moment of the launch was the symbolic “Golden Key” assembly ceremony, where representatives from CMA+, Yingke Law Firm, Hui Doe&Sum Law Firm LLP in association with Yingke(Hong Kong) Law Firm, and SESG came together to piece together the key – marking the official start of our powerful tripartite collaboration in business innovation, legal and wealth management.
This union is dedicated to providing comprehensive support for businesses and talent embarking on their global expansion journey, with Hong Kong serving as the ideal springboard to the world.
Thank you to everyone who joined and witnessed this milestone. The launch is just the beginning; we look forward to sailing towards a vibrant future together!
On October 14, 2025, World Standards Day, the “Guangdong Standardization Innovation Development Conference and 2025 World Standards Day Promotion Event” was held in Foshan, Guangdong. During the event, a new batch of 27 “Greater Bay Area Standards” was officially announced. Among these, CMA Testing was awarded a plaque and confirmation certificate as one of the lead compiling units for the “Care Food GBA Standard”, fully demonstrating its leading role and contributions in testing technology and standard formulation, and further advancing high-quality development through Greater Bay Area Standards.
The “Care Food GBA Standard” is the first standard in the silver economy sector led by Hong Kong industry stakeholders. Developed in collaboration between The Hong Kong Council of Social Service and The Chinese Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong, it was officially included in the “Greater Bay Area Standards” list on September 25 this year. This standard provides clear guidance for “care food” producers in Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao, helps unify testing procedures, enhances product quality, promotes technological innovation and food safety, and creates more cross-regional cooperation and market expansion opportunities for Hong Kong manufacturers, effectively benefiting the silver-haired population across the Greater Bay Area and nationwide.
That same afternoon, Mr. Dominic Lam, Chief Operations Officer of CMA Testing, along with The Hong Kong Council of Social Service and the Shenzhen Association for Analysis and Testing, visited the Guangdong Standardization Research Institute. There, they studied the history and successful cases of standardization and engaged in mutual exchanges.
As the silver economy gains momentum, many renowned restaurants and food enterprises are stepping into the “care food” market, aiming to offer elderly-friendly dining with improved safety, nutrition, and variety. The Chinese Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong (CMA) and Hong Kong Council of Social Service (HKCSS) co-led the development of the “Care Food GBA Standard”, in collaboration with Shenzhen Association of Testers and Analysts and over 40 cross-sector partners.
On September 25, the Greater Bay Area Standardization Research Center officially included the “General Requirements of Dysphagia Diet for Elderly (Care Food)” in the GBA Standard list. As the first GBA standard initiated by Hong Kong’s industry for the silver economy, it provides a technical framework for unified food testing, enhanced quality, safety assurance, and innovation. With more restaurants and manufacturers investing in care food, this standard comes at the right time to guide the industry towards professional, standardized, and scalable development.
Dr. Wingco Lo, President of CMA, stated: “The Care Food GBA Standard is not only a collective achievement of Hong Kong’s business, social, and testing sectors but also a key step in upgrading the elderly-friendly food industry. Leveraging CMA Testing’s expertise, we will support the industry in complying with the latest international benchmarks in processing, freezing, sterilization, and nutritional preservation. This will empower manufacturers and restaurants to create higher-quality elderly care foods and capture new opportunities in the silver economy.”
CMA Testing now offers comprehensive soft food testing services, providing technical support across the supply chain—from R&D to quality assurance. This enhances product quality, accelerates industry compliance with the new standard, and strengthens competitiveness for food and catering brands entering the silver dining market.
CMA Testing, HKCSS, and leading industries are working together to support the next milestone in innovation and standardization for the elderly-friendly food sector, paving the way for a thriving silver economy in the Greater Bay Area.
CMA Testing and CMA+ extend our warmest wishes to you and your family. May you enjoy a joyful National Day & Mid-Autumn Festival, blessed with health, happiness, and harmony!
🥮 Mooncakes, a beloved festive treat, are not only popular in local markets but also widely enjoyed by consumers overseas.
To further enhance your brand image, CMA Testing offers professional testing and the A+ Mark certification. Showcase your product’s superior quality and strengthen your competitive edge in the market!
🚀 In line with the HK 2025 Policy Address, CMA+ offers a “Go Global Task Force” to help your food products successfully enter the Halal market and expand your global business opportunities!
👉 Feel free to contact us and let’s embark on a new chapter of global expansion together!
HALAL Certification Services:
https://www.cmatesting.org/tc/service/%e6%b8%85%e7%9c%9f%e8%aa%8d%e8%ad%89/
A+ Mark:
https://www.cmatesting.org/tc/aplus%e6%a8%99%e7%b1%a4/
Go Global Business Services Contact:
- Karen Yip (+852) 9440 4122 | karenyip@cmatesting.org
- Mick Wong (+852) 6899 6729 | mickwong@cmatesting.org
- Sarah Cui (+021) 6433 0500 | sarahcui@cmatesting.org
September 20, 2025 – At the CAS Major Achievements in Scientific and Technological Transformation Initiative & Zhejiang New Knowledge and Quality·Showcase and Trading Fair (Ningbo New Materials Session), CMA Testing, with its CMA+ technology commercialization platform, participated as a representative of a major signing project affiliated with the Chinese Academy of Sciences. They entered into a strategic cooperation agreement with Ningbo Harbour Technology Industrial Development Co., Ltd. to jointly establish the “CMA+ Ningbo Technology Commercialization Base & Global Launchpad” and the “Ningbo-Hong Kong Offshore Technology Innovation Center FHKI Base.” This collaboration marks a critical step forward in our efforts in transformation of scientific and technological achievements and international expansion.
This signing ceremony stood out as a major highlight of the trading fair. It aims to fully leverage CMA Testing’s professional expertise in testing, certification, technical standardization, and commercialization, combined with Ningbo Harbour Tech’s industrial resources and geographical advantages, to jointly accelerate the rapid transformation and international application of scientific and technological achievements from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and other cutting-edge sources.
As a technology commercialization platform from Hong Kong, CMA+ is not merely a participant in Ningbo-Hong Kong technological exchange but also a catalyst and accelerator for connecting the innovation resources of both places. CMA+ can build a bridge for the transformation of new quality productive forces:
- Creating a “Two-Way Channel” for Tech Transfer: Introducing cutting-edge technologies from Hong Kong into the mainland market while also assisting mainland enterprises in going global through Hong Kong.
- Building a Comprehensive Service System: Providing full-chain support for technology commercialization, from technical assessment and market matching to industrial implementation.
- Pooling Innovative Resources: Aggregating innovation resources from Hong Kong universities and research institutions to form an industry-oriented “Technology Solutions Repository.”
Looking ahead, CMA+ will play the following key roles in the Ningbo-Hong Kong tech cooperation:
Precise Matching, Facilitating Technology Landing
Leveraging its systematic understanding of Hong Kong’s tech resources and deep comprehension of Ningbo’s industrial needs, CMA+ will establish a regular technology demand matching mechanism to help high-quality projects quickly find application scenarios in Ningbo.
Ecosystem Development, Serving the Full Innovation Cycle
We will bring together governments, universities, enterprises, and investment institutions from both locations to build a full-chain service system covering technology transfer, startup incubation, and industrial acceleration, effectively reducing the institutional and time costs associated with transformation of scientific and technological achievements.
CMA Testing’s deep involvement and signing at this event represent a concrete action in implementing the “Deepening Academy-Local Cooperation” strategy. We firmly believe that through this two-way collaboration, we can outfit more “golden ideas” from the laboratory with market-recognized “standard packaging,” paving a golden pathway from “technology” to “product,” and from “Ningbo” to “the world.” Let us join hands and create the future together!
