Connecticut Plans Restrictions on Flame Retardants in Consumer Products

The House of Representatives in the US State of Connecticut has passed a bill to restrict the use of flame retardants in children’s products and upholstered furniture.

The bill, Substitute HB 5299, has passed Connecticut’s House of Representatives and is now awaiting deliberation in the State Senate. If it becomes law, the new regulations will come into effect in two phases, and restrict the use of five flame retardants in children’s products. The flame retardants include:

- Decabromodiphenyl ether (Deca-BDE)
- Hexabromocylododecane (HBCDD)
- Tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP)
- Tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCP/TDCPP)
- Tris(1-chloro2-propyl) phosphate (TCPP)

The new law defines children’s products as those designed or intended primarily for children aged 12 and younger. These include changing pads, clothing, crib mattresses, nursing pillows, strollers and toys. The proposal excludes:

- Consumer electronics
- Children’s toys subjected to ASTM F963
- Motor vehicles governed by 49 CFR 571.213 (child restraint systems) and 49 CFR 571.302 (flammability of interior materials)

If approved by the governor, the new law will come into effect on July 1, 2018 for manufacturers, and July 1, 2019, for distributors, retailers and wholesalers. Connecticut would then join a number of other US States in restricting flame retardants in consumer products.

With a number of US States now looking at ways to restrict or ban flame retardants, it is advisable for companies to check they are compliant with current regulations. Through their global network of laboratories, SGS are able to provide a range of services, including analytical testing and consultancy for flame retardants in children’s products and upholstered residential furniture for the US and international markets.

SGS Services for Consumer Goods
SGS offers the full-range of inspection, testing, certification, verification and training services, helping your company to develop products with minimum risk, get products to market as quickly as possible, ensure that raw materials, components and final products are safe and effective, and achieve compliance with the regulatory requirements of different geographic markets. Learn more about SGS’s Consumer Products Services (www.sgs.com/en/consumer-goods-retail)

SGS SafeGuardS keep you up to date with the latest news and developments in the consumer goods industry. Read the full Connecticut State House of Representatives passes bill on flame retardants SafeGuardS. (www.sgs.com/en/news/2016/05/safeguards-10516-connecticut-state-house-of-representatives-passes-bill-on-flame-retardants)

Subscribe here: www.sgs.com/subscribesg, to receive SGS SafeGuardS direct to your inbox.

For further information contact:

Hing Wo Tsang
Global Hardlines Information and Innovation Manager
Tel:(+852) 2774 7420
Email: cts.media@sgs.com
Website: www.sgs.com/cgnr

About SGS
SGS is the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. SGS is recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 85,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 1,800 offices and laboratories around the world.

Sugarloaf Marketing
Union Street
Flimwell
East Sussex
TN5 7NY

This release was published on openPR.