Chemical Regulations

The Washington State Legislature passed the nation’s first ban on all forms of the toxic flame retardants known as PBDEs.  The legislation banned the use of the penta and octa forms of PBDEs, with limited exceptions, by 2008. It banned the use of the deca form in mattresses by 2008 and it bans the use of the deca form in televisions, computers, and residential upholstered furniture by 2011, as long as a safer, reasonable, and effective alternative has been identified by the state departments of Ecology and Health and approved by fire safety officials. More

In 2003 California passed a state-wide ban on flame retardant chemicals known as polybrominated diphenyl ethers, or PBDEs.  PBDEs are dangerous chemicals that accumulate in breast milk and harm child development.  They have been found across the globe in both humans and animals, and accumulation levels are rising.  The ban covered two forms of PBDEs, octa and penta. Implementation of California's legislation was initially set for 2006, but intense lobbying by the chemical industry changed the year to 2008.  While nations should clearly take the lead on this issue, states may be able to act more quickly than the federal government. More

The European Commission approved a framework for the Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals (REACH) (COM(03) 644 (01)) in October 2003.  Following two years of negotiation on the Commission’s original proposal and following the European Parliament’s first reading opinion, the Council reached a Common Position on June 27, 2006.

The European Commission supports achieving final agreement on REACH at Second Reading. Final adoption of the proposal is expected by the end of 2006. More