Is Laundry Detergent Pod Legislation Imminent?

US Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA) proposed tougher laws surrounding the packaging of liquid laundry detergent pods. According to reports, the Detergent Poisoning and Child Safety Act would direct the US Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) to require safer, child-resistant packaging for liquid detergent packets.
 
Similarly, US Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) recently introduced a bill to seek tougher packaging standards for laundry and dish detergent packets, added reports.

Sales of Pods, Pacs, Flings and the like soared nearly 26% to more than $796 million in supermarkets, drugstores, mass market retailers, military commissaries and select club and dollar retail chains for the 52 weeks ended Nov. 2, 2014, according to Infoscan Reviews, IRI, as previously reported in Happi.

In 2013, the CPSC and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) both urged parents to take immediate action to ensure their family is not exposed to the hazards posed by liquid laundry packets or capsules. Young children who are exposed to the highly concentrated, toxic detergent are at risk of serious injury. Reports of incidents in the United States and Australia have prompted the product safety agencies to warn parents about what can happen if these products are not used safely.

Also in 2013, American Cleaning Institute (ACI) and a group of liquid laundry detergent packet manufacturers launched a multi-year consumer laundry safety program – known as the KEY Pledge – to prevent accidents by educating parents and caregivers about the safe handling of liquid laundry packets.

ACI issued the following statement in response to the introduction of congressional legislation addressing the safety of  detergent packets: “The American Cleaning Institute is aware of new legislative proposals addressing liquid detergent packets. The fact is, legislation is unnecessary because there are already comprehensive activities taking place addressing the safety of detergent packets. Manufacturers of liquid laundry detergent packets are very committed to reducing the number of accidents with these products involving children, which are used safely by millions of consumers. These pre-measured products provide a convenient way for consumers to do laundry.
 
“Manufacturers have already made major changes to their packaging including the addition of easy-to-understand safety icons, improving warning labels to advise proper use and storage instructions, and changing to opaque packaging so the laundry packets are not visible from the outside. In addition, ACI and its detergent manufacturer members are actively engaged in a process – administered by the standard-setting group ASTM International – to enhance and standardize laundry packet labeling and packaging”
 
ACI also released a voluntary guidance document for liquid laundry detergent packet manufacturers which advises on ways to label and design packages to help reduce the likelihood of child exposure to these products. This guidance encourages that safe handling and usage information is clear and prominently placed on the label.