CPSC Recommends Halting Use of Flame Retardant in Some Products While Total Ban Considered

The Consumer Product Safety Commission is recommending that manufacturers of children’s products, upholstered furniture, mattresses and plastic casing for electronics refrain from adding non-polymeric, organohalogen flame retardants (OFRs), it said in a guidance document. Importers should also obtain assurances from manufacturers that their products do not contain OFRs, CPSC said. The chemical, used to improve fire resistance, may be released from the foams, textiles and polymers to which they are added and lead to potential human and environmental exposures, it said.

The guidance document comes in response to a 2015 petition by a coalition of consumer advocates and health professionals. The commission in September granted the petition to consider a rule banning OFRs. “In the meantime,” CPSC requested manufacturers and importers of “(1) durable infant or toddler products, children’s toys, child care articles or other children’s products (other than children’s car seats); (2) upholstered furniture sold for use in residences; (3) mattresses and mattress pads; and (4) plastic casings surrounding electronics” take action to eliminate use of OFRs in their products, it said.

The guidance applies to “additive, non-polymeric chemicals only; it does not include reactive or polymeric OFRs,” CPSC said. The commission was divided 3-2 on whether to issue the guidance document, with Commissioners Robert Adler, Marietta Robinson and Elliot Kaye voting in favor, and Acting Chairman Ann Marie Buerkle and Commissioner Joseph Mohorovic voting against.

(Federal Register 09/28/17)