News & Insights: Toxic Flame Retardants

Report triggers new Washington rulemaking to regulate the largest-ever number of chemical classes and products by a state—with 4 chemical classes in 10 product categories Restrictions include phthalates in fragrances, BPA in drink can linings, and PFAS in home textiles, among others Olympia, WA—On Monday, the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) released its final […]

At least 32 states will consider more than 210 bills on toxic chemical policies  (WASHINGTON, D.C.)—Safer States today released its annual analysis of anticipated state policies across the country on toxic chemical laws, predicting that toxic “forever chemical” regulation and clean-up will significantly drive this year’s state-level policies on toxic chemicals. Similar to 2021, efforts […]

On December 31, 2021, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed into law a groundbreaking bipartisan bill restricting the use of flame retardants in furniture, mattresses, and electronic displays. While several states have passed similar legislation, New York is now the first in the U.S. to also include a prohibition on organohalogen flame retardants (OFRs) in electronic enclosures such as televisions. This new law mirrors a similar prohibition adopted by the European Union.

Safer States analyzed anticipated state-level policies on toxic chemical regulation, finding that at least 27 states will consider policies in 2021. Safer States anticipates that at least 180 bills will be under consideration in 2021 and efforts to combat toxic PFAS chemicals will continue to be the most prevalent issue.

At least 29 states will consider more than 180 policies to require companies to disclose what is in their products as well as limit exposures to toxic chemicals. These policies include bans on PFAS in food packaging and firefighting foam as well as bans on toxic flame retardants in electronics.

This Earth Day, we look back with hope on progress from the last year.

Toxic Flame Retardants and Chemical Disclosure Top Toxic Chemical Issues for States (Portland, OR) – In an effort to fill regulatory gaps left by the federal government, states are stepping up to protect public health from harmful chemicals, according to an analysis by Safer States. The analysis found that at least 28 states will consider more […]

Policy Banning Toxic Flame Retardants Signed into Law

Bans on Nonstick PFASs, Toxic Flame Retardants Top Issues as States Work to Fill Chemical Protection Gaps  (Portland, OR) – State legislatures across the country are stepping up to protect public health from harmful chemicals in an effort to fill gaps in chemical protections due to inaction by the US EPA, according to an analysis […]

This week, the state of Maine proved its mettle as a champion of public health, passing a ban on all added flame retardant chemicals in new upholstered furniture starting next year.