California Releases Initial List of Priority Products to Enhance Consumer Product Safety Regulations
California's Enhanced Consumer Product Safety Regulations (SCP) have released the first initial priority list of products containing candidate chemicals, including:
1. Sprayed polyurethane foam (SPF) containing unreacted diisocyanates;
2. Children's foam mattress sleep products containing tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate or TDCPP;
3. Paint and gloss removers and surface cleaners containing methylene chloride.
Priority products refer to consumer products containing one or more candidate chemicals that possess hazardous properties that are harmful to human health and the environment. SCP requests that the California Department of Toxic Chemicals Management (DTSC) publish an initial draft list of priority products by April 28, 2014. The draft list of priority products will not have legal effect until the relevant legislative processes are completed.
The designation of the above three products and candidate chemicals is based on the following two SCP specifications:
1. The product may expose the public or the environment to one or more candidate chemicals;
2.exposure may lead to "significant or widespread adverse effects".
The initial list of priority products is a preparatory step before the regulations officially come into effect. This initial list must be incorporated into the SCP (Specific Product Safety) specifications through legislative procedures. Once formally included, manufacturers of priority products must notify the DTSC (Department for Technology and Communications Commission) and conduct alternative analysis (AA). Finally, the DTSC will require manufacturers to comply with relevant management decisions based on their alternative analysis reports, including product labeling and sales bans.
Following the announcement of the initial list, the DTSC will hold three public briefings in the U.S. between May and June 2014 to explain to stakeholders the three priority products containing candidate chemicals. The initial list of priority products for the second half of 2014 will then enter the legislative process, which is estimated to take a year.
Manufacturers and distributors of products exported to the US that may contain the above three substances are advised to conduct a chemical substance content inventory of their products in order to prepare for chemical substance analysis reports or chemical substance replacement as early as possible.
Sources: International Chemicals Policy Promotion Network (2014-03-19)
