TÜV Rheinland Hong Kong hosted its first Coffee Machines & Appliances Summit on 28 November, highlighting rising safety, regulatory, and cybersecurity challenges in modern household appliances.

The summit brought together global brands, suppliers, OEMs and retailers to discuss food contact material (FCM) compliance, chemical regulation and IoT security. Speakers noted that coffee machines and other small appliances are evolving from simple devices into complex, digitally connected products subject to strict global standards.

Experts highlighted key trends shaping the industry: the transition to BPA-free and PFAS-free materials, increasing regulatory divergence across markets, and the technical complexity of ensuring compliance. Manufacturers were urged to adopt robust GMP processes, cross-functional governance and validated testing to avoid recalls and market delays.

Cybersecurity in connected appliances was a major focus. As devices integrate apps, AI and cloud connectivity, regulators in Europe, the US and Asia now require manufacturers to implement secure-by-design practices and ongoing vulnerability monitoring.

TÜV Rheinland emphasised that safety in modern appliances now requires an integrated approach spanning chemical safety, material integrity and digital security – a convergence that will define compliance in the years ahead.