US Congress Introduces Proposal to Restrict Flame Retardants under Children Protection Act

HONG KONG, China - Oct. 8, 2014 - PRLog -- On 15 September 2014, the US Congress introduced S.2811 ‘Children and Fire Fighters Protection Act of 2014’ to restrict ten flame retardants in children’s products or upholstered furniture. The chemicals are generally halogenated flame retardants, with antimony trioxide as the only inorganic substance included on the list.

Effects of Flame Retardants Used in Children’s Products and Upholstered Furniture

The proposal also calls the Commission to appoint a Chronic Hazard Advisory Panel (CHAP) to study the effects on human health of all chemical flame retardants that may be used in children’s products or upholstered furniture and to make recommendations. The Commission shall evaluate the findings and to promulgate a final rule within 180 days upon receipt of the report from CHAP.

The proposal would take effect on the date of enactment and the restriction of the flame retardants would be enforced 1 year after the date of enactment.

Highlights of the proposal are summarized in Table 1 (http://newsletter.sgs.com/eNewsletterPro/uploadedimages/0...) within the latest SafeGuards bulletin.

About SGS Testing and Safety for Consumer Goods

Throughout a global network of laboratories, SGS is able to provide a range of services, including analytical testing (http://www.sgs.com/en/Consumer-Goods-Retail/Hardgoods/Hom...) and consultancy for flame retardants and other restricted substances in consumer products for the US, EU and international markets.

Please do not hesitate to contact an SGS expert for further information.

Website: www.sgs.com/cgnr

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 80,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 1,650 offices and laboratories around the world.