On June 22, 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published proposed significant new use rules (SNUR) for three flame retardants, tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP),...more
On December 31, 2021, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed a new law that imposes obligations on manufactures of consumer “electronic displays,” upholstered furniture, and mattresses. Beginning January 2024, any new products...more
On June 25, 2021, the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) new standard addressing the flammability of upholstered furniture went into effect.1 The rule adopts California Technical Bulletin 117-2013—applicable to...more
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released on December 22, 2020, final rules under Section 6(h) of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for five persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) chemicals --...more
The European Commission (EC) has adopted a new set of eco-design requirements for ten categories of energy-consuming products, including refrigerators, washing machines, and televisions pursuant to the Ecodesign Directive...more
Washington State has taken its first steps towards implementing the nation’s strongest state chemicals law. This month, the Department of Ecology (Ecology) announced certain chemical-product combinations that it is studying...more
California Governor Jerry Brown has signed into law a ban on flame retardants in certain household products. Starting January 1, 2020, it will be prohibited to sell or distribute children’s products, mattresses, and...more
California Governor Jerry Brown has signed into law Assembly Bill (“A.B.”) 2998, restricting the sale of flame retardant-containing children products and furniture. Effective January 1, 2020, A.B. 2998 prohibits any person...more
State legislatures have been relatively active on chemical and material regulations in 2017. As previously reported here, at least 51 bills to regulate chemicals were introduced across the country’s state houses in 2017. ...more
Over the past few weeks, there have been many key goings-on related to the CPSC and its Commissioners....more
In a split across party lines, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC or the “Commission”) recently voted on a largely unprecedented course of action: to ban an entire class of chemicals from popular consumer...more
In 2015, a group of consumer groups filed a petition with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (“CPSC”) seeking to ban under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act the use of non-polymeric organohalogen flame retardants...more
This week, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) voted to form an advisory panel and begin drafting a rule to restrict the use of halogenated flame retardants in four consumer product categories: children’s...more
March 6 marked the final day for the introduction of bills in the Maryland General Assembly without a rules suspension. Below are highlights of environmental or related public health bills under consideration in the Maryland...more
Under the recently amended Toxic Substances and Control Act (TSCA), EPA is bound by new requirements and enforceable timetables to complete risk assessments for chemicals manufactured, distributed and imported to the United...more
State legislatures continue to consider legislation to restrict chemicals even as, at the federal level, the Toxic Substances Control Act has been thoroughly overhauled by the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st...more
The California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) is proposing to list certain children’s foam-padded sleeping products as “Priority Products” under the Safer Consumer Product (SCP) Regulations and today announced...more
The Massachusetts Senate became the latest state legislative body to pass a bill that would ban at least eleven flame retardants from children's products sold in the state. An Act to protect children and families from harmful...more
The District of Columbia and the state of Washington recently enacted laws banning the use of listed flame retardants in certain products, ranging from children’s products and residential upholstered furniture in Washington...more
Earlier today, the CPSC unanimously agreed to publish in the Federal Register a new enforcement policy proposed by Commissioner Joe Mohorovic regarding the certification of certain adult wearing apparel...more
EPA Releases TSCA Assessment Documents For Flame Retardant Chemicals: On August 18, 2014, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released for public comment three Problem Formulation and Initial Assessment documents...more
EPA Issues Direct Final Rule On Significant New Use Notification Electronic Reporting: On July 20, 2015, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a direct final rule amending the Toxic Substances Control Act...more
EPA Seeks Comment On Series 810 Test Guidelines: On June 17, 2015, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability for comment of several Series 810, non-binding, draft test guidelines developed by...more
California state law bill SB 763 has stayed relatively under the radar since its introduction in February 2015. However, with recent traction in the state legislature – including passage in the Senate in June and passage in...more
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on June 12, 2014, safer alternatives to flame retardants currently used in consumer and commercial products, including building insulation and products with flexible...more