Baar (March 24, 2026) – SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, has published SafeGuardS 041.26, highlighting a technical advisory note from the UK’s Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), issued on March 2, 2026, providing guidance on testing for asbestos in consumer products containing sand, such as toys, hobby products and decorative products.

Asbestos fibers are resistant to heat and corrosion. They are a group of naturally occurring fibrous minerals of various mineral forms and fiber types and can pose a health risk when airborne or inhaled.

The advisory note emphasizes that UK legislation prohibits the placing on the market of products containing asbestos fibers due to their classification as carcinogens.

The OPSS position is set out in the advisory note and identifies three preferred testing methodologies for asbestos in products containing sand: polarized light microscopy (PLM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

SEM and TEM are specifically recommended by the OPSS for the detection of asbestos in consumer products containing sand due to their ability to reliably identify asbestos at low concentrations and very fine or thin asbestos fibers.

SGS experts publish SafeGuardS to keep stakeholders informed about regulatory changes that could impact their business. SafeGuardS 041.26 includes further information on the PLM, SEM and TEM methods for detecting asbestos in sand.

Stakeholders are encouraged to refer to the original SafeGuardS 041.26 for more details.

SGS toy and juvenile product services
SGS offers a wide range of services to ensure that products comply with relevant standards for childcare articles and children’s equipment. They provide consulting, training, product development, testing, audit and inspection services to ensure that products comply with strict regulations worldwide, demonstrating the safety and quality of juvenile products being brought to the market. After all, it’s only trusted because it’s tested. Learn more about SGS’s toy and juvenile product services. [www.sgs.com/en/consumer-goods-retail/toys-and-juvenile-products]

SGS SafeGuardS keep you up to date with the latest news and developments in the consumer goods industry. Read the full UK Issues Advisory on Asbestos in Products Containing Sand SafeGuardS. [www.sgs.com/en/news/2026/03/safeguards-04126-uk-issues-advisory-on-asbestos-in-products-containing-sand]

Subscribe today and receive SGS SafeGuardS direct to your inbox. [www.sgs.com/subscribes]

For further information, contact:

Dr. HingWo Tsang
Global Information and Innovation Manager
Tel: +852 2774 7420
Website: www.sgs.com/hardlines
LinkedIn: SGS Connectivity & Products

About SGS
SGS is the world’s leading Testing, Inspection and Certification company. We operate a network of over 2,500 laboratories and business facilities across 115 countries, supported by a team of over 100,000 dedicated professionals. With more than 145 years of service excellence, we combine the precision and accuracy that define Swiss companies to help organizations achieve the highest standards of quality, compliance and sustainability.

Our brand promise – when you need to be sure – underscores our commitment to trust, integrity and reliability, enabling businesses to thrive with confidence. We proudly deliver our expert services through the SGS name and a portfolio of trusted specialized brands, including Applied Technical Services, Brightsight, Bluesign and Nutrasource.

SGS is publicly traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange under the ticker symbol SGSN (ISIN CH1256740924, Reuters SGSN.S, Bloomberg SGSN SW).