Since the start of 2021, several
US states have published bills to restrict flame retardants (FRs) in a variety
of consumer products.
Delaware has published bill
HB 77, with a proposed effective date of July 1, 2021. This covers a variety of
consumer products with the following restrictions:
- Residential
upholstered furniture: ≤ 0.1% each of TBB, antimony, TBPH, SCCP, Deca-BDE,
HBCD, TBBPA, TDCPP, TCEP and TCPP, and ≤ 0.1% of a mixture containing 1 or more
of the above FRs - Products for children under 12 that are primarily
intended for use in homes: same restrictions as 1 - Mattresses: ≤
0.1% of an organo-halogenated FR and ≤ 0.1% of a mixture containing 1 or more organo-halogenated
FR - Electronic
enclosures: same restrictions as 3
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New York has released two
bills, with a proposed enforcement date of July 1, 2022:
- Residential upholstered furniture (Bill A3031):
prohibits halogenated FRs and phosphorus-bromine FRs - Residential upholstered furniture (Bill S2178): as
above
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S2178 covers residential
upholstered furniture certified to meet the open flame flammability standard
from December 1, 2024.
These are just the latest
restrictions on FRs to be proposed and/or implemented by states in the US. FRs
are targeted because of their toxic effects and negative impact on the
environment.
Other jurisdictions with regulations
covering FRs in consumer products include California, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine,
Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island,
San Francisco (California), Vermont, Washington and Washington D.C. There
is no standardization between these state’s regulations as to what restrictions
or prohibitions are enforced. In addition, Maine, Oregon, Vermont, and
Washington also require disclosure information on some FRs in children’s
products.
Stakeholders should be
aware the language in each bill may change as it progresses.
Glossary:
- TBB – 2-Ethylhexyl-2,3,4,5-tetrabromobenzoate
- TBPH – bis(2-ethylhexyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrabromophthalate
- SCCP – Short Chain Chlorinated Paraffins
- Deca-BDE – decabromodiphenyl
ether - HBCD – hexabromocyclododecane
- TBBPA – tetrabromobisphenol A
- TCEP – tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate
- TCPP – tris(1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate
- TDCPP – tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate
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SGS Chemical Testing
SGS offers a comprehensive range of
testing services to help manufacturers and suppliers ensure their products are
safe and comply with national and international regulations concerning harmful
chemicals. Learn more about SGS Chemical Testing Services.
SGS SafeGuardS keep you up to date with the
latest news and developments in the consumer goods industry. Read the full U.S.
Legislation Updates: Flame Retardants in Consumer Products SafeGuardS.
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For further information contact:
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