Maine Notice 4Phthalates are priority hazardous substances
The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in Maine, USA, has listed four phthalates as priority hazardous substances in the Toxic Chemicals in Children's Products law.
This announcement will affect distributors or manufacturers of children's products. Manufacturers who intend to add regulated phthalates to their products must prepare the following information:
- Product Description;
– The added amounts and functions of these harmful substances;
– Product sales information; and
– Other manufacturer judgments and information related to hazardous substances, such as scientific research or other assessment reports.
This advisory addresses the following phthalates added to children's products:
– di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP);
– dibutyl phthalate (DBP);
– benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP); and
– Diethyl phthalate (DEP).
Regulated children's products include:
- clothing;
– Craft supplies;
– Home repair products;
– Cosmetics and personal care products;
– Household cleaning products;
– furniture; and
– Jewelry items.
Second-hand products and beverage and food packaging are not subject to this regulation.
Maine has listed more than 1,400 chemical substances of concern, 49 of which are listed as substances of high concern. Currently, Maine has listed 9 priority hazardous substances from the list of substances of high concern, except for the 4 included this time. In addition to phthalates, there are 5 harmful substances as follows:
– Bisphenol A (BPA);
– Nonylphenol/nonylphenol ethoxylates (NP/NPE);
– cadmium;
– mercury;
– arsenic.
Source:Chemical Watch (2015-07-27) (PIDC compilation)
