CEH Statement on California’s New Furniture Flammability Standard
Today California regulators announced final approval of the state’s new furniture flammability standard TB 117 -2013. The new standard replaces a decades-old standard that promoted harmful flame retardant chemicals, putting children and families at risk while not improving fire safety.
“Today’s announcement is a culmination of our long drive to urge the state to update a so-called “safety” standard that was actually harmful to our health,” said Michael Green of CEH. “It’s the last step for state regulators but the first step for businesses, who should now move quickly to offer safer products made without harmful flame retardant chemicals.”
Yesterday, CEH announced testing that found harmful flame retardant chemicals in 90% of children’s furniture purchased from Toys R Us, Target, Walmart and other stores in 13 states and Canada. Earlier this year CEH reached the first-ever legal agreement with a maker of children’s nap mats, requiring the company to end its use of flame retardant chemicals in its products.
Businesses have until January 1, 2015 to comply with the new standard, although they may comply anytime after January 1, 2014. CEH is urging companies to come into compliance with products made without flame retardant chemicals as son as possible, to meet the growing demand for safer products.
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