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USA: Nevada prohibits Organohalogenated flame retardants in certain consumer products

JUNE 2021 - CHILDREN'S PRODUCTS, HARDLINES, SOFTLINES

Nevada bill AB 97¹ was signed into law on 27 May 2021 to regulate organohalogenated (OFRs) flame retardants. Products for children under 12 years old, upholstered residential furniture, residential or business textile using to cover windows or walls and mattresses are within the scope. This requirement will be effective on 1 July 2022. This bill also prohibits the discharge, use or release of class B firefighting foam containing perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) starting 1 January 2022.

OFRs have been regulated by the various US States e.g. California, Maine and Maryland, etc. It is a class of substances that contains one or more carbon elements and one or more halogen elements. Some flame retardants may be migrated out of the products, and this has led to human and environmental concerns. The Nevada bill prohibits the target products containing any flame-retardant organohalogenated chemicals in any product component in a concentration greater than 1000 ppm. 

Moreover, manufacturers should not substitute OFRs with a chemical that has been identified by a state or federal agency that being known or suspected to be highly possible harmful to human. 

[1]  Bill AB97