Certification and Compliance to International Standards:

What is BPA?

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical that is used primarily in the manufacture of polycarbonate (PC) raw material plastic. PC is a plastic that is often used in mouldings for food packaging; for example in drinks bottles.

BPA however can on rare occasions be found in other plastic materials – this is why Kenwood check all plastic components in contact with food.

 
What is the concern about BPA?

BPA is a chemical that in sufficient doses can mimic the action of the human hormone oestrogen. This can cause health problems to humans.

When PC is manufactured the BPA content is consumed by the raw material manufacturing process, however small quantities of BPA can migrate from PC plastic over time, or when exposed to excessive heat or conditions outside of normal use. Many consumers are concerned about exposure to BPA, especially for infants, from this migrating, which has led to some countries already legislating about the levels of BPA in baby bottles.

 
What have Kenwood done about BPA?

• From the beginning of 2013 we have stopped using PC in all components in contact with food for all of our new products.


• We test every plastic component that comes into contact with food to ensure that any migration falls below the accepted level before products are put on the market, a product will not be sold until we hold test reports that show no BPA is detected. These tests are carried out by specialised independent laboratories.


• We have management systems in place to regularly check food contact on our components, these include declarations for our supply chains, factory audits and on-going product surveillance testing.

• We test every component that comes into contact with food to ensure that the part complies with all applicable legislation before products are put on the market.


• A product will not be sold until we hold test reports that show the parts PASS the food contact legislation for the market in which it will be sold.


• These tests are done by specialised independent laboratories. The laboratories use scientific machines that very accurately check compliance so that when the test shows a PASS result we know we comply with the appropriate legislation.


• We have management systems in place to regularly police food contact parts, these include declarations from our supply chains, factory audits and on-going product surveillance tests.

Responsible Recycling

At Kenwood we take our environmental responsibilities very seriously, unwanted electrical equipment is the UK’s fastest growing type of waste. Many electrical items can be repaired or recycled, saving natural resources and the environment. If you do not recycle, electrical equipment will end up in landfill where hazardous substances will leak out and cause soil and water contamination – harming wildlife and human health. To remind you that old electrical equipment can be recycled, it is now marked with a crossed-out wheeled bin symbol. 
 

Please do not throw any electrical equipment (including those marked with the crossed out wheeled bin symbol) in your bin.  In the UK, distributors (including retailers) are required to provide a system which allows all customers buying new electrical equipment the opportunity to recycle their old items free of charge. As a responsible retailer, Kenwood have met these requirements by financially supporting the national network of WEEE recycling centres established by local authorities.  Kenwood are also a founder member of the REPIC WEEE Compliance Scheme, to find out more information about recycling and where your nearest recycling centre is click the REPIC button below.

Find out more here. 

Chemicals and hazardous substances legislation

What is REACh?

Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals legislation.

This legislation controls chemicals and substances. For our business, it defines the safe levels of certain substances within the products, packaging and spare parts we place on the market.

What is RoHS?

Restriction of Hazardous Substances legislation.

This legislation restricts hazardous substances within the products we place on the market.

What we do to control substances

• We hold declarations from our supply chains to show that every product complies with REACh legislations before products are put on the market.
   
• We hold declarations from our supply chains to show that every component complies with RoHS legislation before products are put on the market.
   
• A product will not be sold until we hold test reports and or declarations that show the parts comply with both legislations.
   
• Tests are done by expert independent laboratories. The laboratories use scientific machines that very accurately check compliance so that when the test shows a PASS result we know we comply with the appropriate legislation.
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• We have management systems in place to regularly police hazardous materials, these include declarations from our supply chains, factory audits and ongoing product surveillance tests.