CONSUMER PRODUCTS AND RETAIL E-SSENTIALS

USA: California bans fiberglass in mattresses and other furniture

OCTOBER 2023 - HARDLINES, SOFTLINES, TOYS AND CHILDREN'S PRODUCTS

On 8 October 2023, the California Governor signed bill AB 1059¹ to ban juvenile products, mattresses and upholstered furniture (covered products) containing textile fiberglass and amend exemptions of flame retardants restriction. 

Ban the use of textile fiberglass 
Starting from 1 January 2027, manufacturers, importers, retailers or online sellers shall not manufacture, sell, offer or distribute in commerce the covered products containing textile fiberglass.  It is common for fiberglass used in the inner covers of furniture for insulation and fire protection. The fiberglass particles can potentially get dislodged and launched into the surrounding environment which can cause skin, eye, and lung irritation.

Amendment of the flame retardant restriction 
The bill AB 1059 newly includes two exemptions under Section 19101 of the Business and Professions Code²:

• Aramid fiber when used in fabric in the interior of a mattress or in fabric that covers the bottom (nonsleep surface) of a mattress that has a sleeping surface on only one side of the mattress.
• Modacrylic fiber without antimony trioxide or other covered flame retardant chemicals.

The components of adult mattresses other than foam will be exempted until 1 January 2027. In addition, this restriction does not apply if the Department of Toxic Substances introduces regulatory measures to control flame retardant.

[1] CA Bill AB 1059: Product safety: consumer products: textile fiberglass and covered flame retardant chemicals

[2] Business and Professions Code, Division 8, Chapter 3 Article 5.5 Juvenile Products, Upholstered furniture, and mattress Section 19101 –  19104 (Previous bill no. AB 2998) 

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