06.09.22
The Washington State Department of Ecology released its final report as part of its Safer Products for Washington law, formalizing a plan that could ban four classes of chemicals in 10 product categories.
This report triggers rulemaking that will make Washington the first state in the country to restrict a number of materials, including phthalates in fragrances used in beauty and personal care products and alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs) in laundry detergents.
Others include organohalogen flame retardants (OFRs) in foam mats and casings for electronics such as televisions, bisphenols in thermal paper and drink can linings, phthalates in vinyl (PVC) flooring. In addition, the state will pursue restrictions on: PFAS in carpet, rugs, indoor leather and textile furnishings, and aftermarket stain- and water-resistance treatments used for all leather and textile products and OFR and certain organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) in recreational foam products such as covered floor mats, foam pits, covered flooring, and outdoor recreational products
The agency is developing rules, which will then be adopted by June 2023, as required by law and take effect as early as one year later.
In 2019, Washington State passed the Safer Products for Washington Act. Advocates for the new law, including Toxic-Free Future and Safer States and say it will help stop the use of thousands of chemicals in millions of products by addressing chemicals as classes; tackle “high-priority” chemicals first—PFAS, flame retardants, phthalates, alkylphenol ethoxylates, bisphenols, and PCBs; and drive the demand for sustainable products.
This report triggers rulemaking that will make Washington the first state in the country to restrict a number of materials, including phthalates in fragrances used in beauty and personal care products and alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs) in laundry detergents.
Others include organohalogen flame retardants (OFRs) in foam mats and casings for electronics such as televisions, bisphenols in thermal paper and drink can linings, phthalates in vinyl (PVC) flooring. In addition, the state will pursue restrictions on: PFAS in carpet, rugs, indoor leather and textile furnishings, and aftermarket stain- and water-resistance treatments used for all leather and textile products and OFR and certain organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) in recreational foam products such as covered floor mats, foam pits, covered flooring, and outdoor recreational products
The agency is developing rules, which will then be adopted by June 2023, as required by law and take effect as early as one year later.
In 2019, Washington State passed the Safer Products for Washington Act. Advocates for the new law, including Toxic-Free Future and Safer States and say it will help stop the use of thousands of chemicals in millions of products by addressing chemicals as classes; tackle “high-priority” chemicals first—PFAS, flame retardants, phthalates, alkylphenol ethoxylates, bisphenols, and PCBs; and drive the demand for sustainable products.