US State of Maine Proposes Additions to the List of Priority Chemicals for Children’s Products.

The US state of Maine has issued a proposal to designate decabromodiphenyl ether (Deca-BDE) and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) as Priority Chemicals (PC). As designated PC’s, the intentional inclusion of these flame retardants, in certain children’s products, will require reporting to Maine’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

The proposal was revealed in October 2016 and, should it be accepted, will require a completely new Chapter, numbered 889, in the ‘Toxic Chemicals in Children’s Products’ law. If adopted, reporting on these two flame retardants will become effective within 180 days of the effective date of the new law.

Maine’s DEP has issued these proposed changes under the ‘Toxic Chemicals in Children’s Products’ law, which was first enacted in 2008. The law requires manufacturers, importers or distributors to report the use of a PC if it is intentionally added to certain categories of product and exceeds the practical quantification limit (PQL).

Since enactment, designated PCs are listed as:

• Bisphenol A (BPA)
• Nonylphenol
• Nonylphenol ethoxylates
• Formaldehyde
• Arsenic, cadmium and mercury
• Phthalates: BBP, DBP, DEP and DEHP

A children’s product is defined by the law as a consumer product intended for, made for, or marketed for use by children under 12 years of age, such as baby products, toys, car seats, personal care products and clothing. It also includes any consumer product containing a chemical of high concern that when used or disposed of will likely result in a child under 12 years of age or a fetus’s being exposed to that chemical.

The proposed addition of Chapter 889 means the scope of the proposal will include:

• Childcare articles
• Children’s clothing, footwear, sleepwear and toys
• Electronic devices for children
• Household furniture and furnishings
• Mattresses and mattress pads

Stakeholders should make a point of staying informed about proposed changes to chemical reporting in order to guarantee future compliance for their products.

SGS Juvenile Products & Childcare Article Services
Through a global network of laboratories, SGS can provide a range of services, including analytical testing and consultancy for priority chemicals (PCs) or chemicals of high concern to children (CHCCs). Our experts will help you comply with strict regulations worldwide, demonstrating the safety and quality of the juvenile products you bring to market. Learn more about SGS’s Juvenile Products & Childcare Services (www.sgs.com/en/consumer-goods-retail/toys-and-juvenile-products/juvenile-products-and-childcare-articles)

SGS SafeGuardS keep you up to date with the latest news and developments in the consumer goods industry. Read the full US State of Maine Proposes to Designate 2 Flame Retardants as Priority Chemicals for Reporting SafeGuardS. (www.sgs.com/en/news/2016/12/safeguards-18216-us-state-of-maine-proposes-to-designate-2-flame-retardants-as-priority-chemicals)

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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/hardlines

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This release was published on openPR.