Maine, USA, designates four phthalates as priority hazardous substances
The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has listed four phthalates as priority hazardous substances under the Toxic Chemicals in Children’s Products law.
This announcement will affect distributors and manufacturers of children's products. Manufacturers who intend to add regulated phthalates to their products must prepare the following information:
- Product Description;
– The amount and function of these harmful substances added;
– Product sales information; and
– Other manufacturer assessments and information related to hazardous substances, such as scientific research or other evaluation reports.
This announcement addresses the following phthalates added to children's products:
– 鄰苯二甲酸二(2- 乙基己基)酯 (di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate，DEHP)；
– 鄰苯二甲酸二丁酯, (dibutyl phthalate，DBP)；
– 鄰苯二甲酸丁基芐基酯 (benzyl butyl phthalate，BBP)；以及
– 鄰苯二甲酸二乙酯 (diethyl phthalate，DEP)。
Regulated children's products include:
- clothing;
– Handicrafts;
–Home repair products;
– Cosmetics and personal care products;
–Household cleaning products;
– Furniture; and
– Jewelry and accessories.
Second-hand products and beverage and food packaging are not subject to this regulation.
Maine has listed over 1,400 chemicals of concern, 49 of which are designated as Substances of Very High Concern (SHC). Currently, Maine has removed nine substances from its SHC priority list. In addition to the four phthalates added this time, five more hazardous substances are listed below:
– 雙酚A (bisphenol A，BPA)；
– 乙氧化壬基酚 (nonylphenol/nonylphenol ethoxylates，NP/NPE)；
– 鎘 (cadmium)；
– 汞 (mercury)；
– 砷 (arsenic)。
Sources:Chemical Watch (2015-07-27) (Compiled by PIDC)
