The Price of Fire Safety - Toxic TRIS Flame Retardants Found in US Children's Products

HONG KONG, June 05, 2013 (Press-News.org) At the same time, the number of flame-retardant substances being restricted or banned as harmful for human health has increased..
Although prohibited and beyond compliance periods, research by America's Center for Environmental Health (2), has identified TRIS flameretardants in children's products and upholstered furniture. It has launched the first ever legal action against retailers selling products in violation of Proposition 65.

A number of US States have also introduced bills to restrict the use of certain flameretardants in consumer products. Essentially, this legislation bans the use of flameretardant from the TRIS family in children's products and bans or restricts its use in upholstered furniture.

Migration Risk of Fire Safety Chemicals

Fire safety is the aim, but comes at a price. Repeated scientific studies have shown that these chemicals continuously migrate from products to house dust, children and pets, according to the American Chemical Society. Manufacturers must comply with regulatory standards, but where there is discretion, balance the desire for fire safety with pragmatic introduction of chemical substances to consumer products.

Key Milestones in US Legislation

- 1977

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission, announces the prohibition of flame-retardant tris-(2,3-dibromopropyl) phosphate (TBDPP, also known as TRIS) in children's clothing and apparel.

- 1988

In January, California incorporated tris- (2,3-dibromopropyl) phosphate (TBDPP, also known as TRIS) to its Proposition list of chemicals known by the state to be carcinogenic. Enforceable from January 1, 1989.

- 1992
In April, California included tris-(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP, also known as TRIS) to its proposition list of chemicals known by the state to be carcinogenic. Enforceable from April 1, 1993.

- 2011

In August, New York prohibits the flameretardant tris-(2-chloroethy) phosphate (TCEP, also known as TRIS) in childcare articles and toys for children under the age of three. Enforceable from December 1, 2013.

In October 2011, California added flame-retardant plasticizertris-(1,3- dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCPP, also known as TRIS or chlorinated-TRIS) to its Proposition 65 list of chemicals known by the state to be carcinogenic. Enforceable from October 28, 2012.

- 2013

In May 2013, Maryland approved measures to regulate the flame-retardant plasticizer TCEP (also known as TRIS) in childcare articles and toys for children under the age of three. Enforceable from 1 October 2013
A further five states (Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Vermont and Washington) have so far introduced proposals to restrict the use of TRIS flameretardants in children's products, upholstered furniture and consumer products (3).

What's next?

This legislative trend will bring more states into line with each other, but also presents a logistical challenge. New legislation is progressing at differing speeds in each state, so it is vital to keep up to date and ensure compliance in a timely fashion in every location. At present, proposed effective dates vary from July 1, 2013 to July 1, 2015. Don't get caught out.

About the SGS Chemical and Technical Expertise

With extensive experience in chemical and product testing, the SGS technical experts and toxicologists can help you to achieve compliance with the new and existing legislation for flameretardants and other restricted substances, for the US and worldwide markets. Throughout the global network of testing laboratories, SGS providesanalytical testing and consultancy (http://www.sgs.com/en/Consumer-Goods-Retail/Toys-and-Juvenile-Products/Juvenile-Products-and-Childcare-Articles/Testing.aspx)for consumer products, including toys, childcare articles and upholstered furniture.

Resources:

1. Novel and High Volume Use Flame Retardants in US Couches Reflective of the 2005 PentaBDE Phase Out (http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/es303471d)

2. CEH - Center for Environmental Health (http://www.ceh.org/)

3. SGS SafeGuards No. 49/13 - US Legislation Updates Flame Retardants in Children's Products and Furniture(http://newsletter.sgs.com/eNewsletterPro/uploadedimages/000006/sgs-safeguards-04913-us-legislation-updates-flame-retardants-in-childrens-products-and-furniture-a4-en-13.pdf) (PDF 471.21 KB)

For more information please contact your local SGS representative or the global team.

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 75 000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 1 500 offices and laboratories around the world.

SGS Consumer Testing Services ensures the quality and safety of every kind of consumer products, from textiles, electronics and furniture to food and automotive. Our customers in these distinct manufacturing industries rely on our inspection and testing capabilities and laboratories to help them comply with the regulatory requirements governing their products, as well as to ensure the integrity of the inputs received from their suppliers.

For more information, please visit: http://www.sgs.com/en/Consumer-Goods-Retail.aspx