April 25, 2013
Details
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has published a Federal Register Notice requesting information on materials used in the manufacture of consumer products that are compliant with heavy metal and phthalate standards.
The CPSC Request for Information (RFI) consists of four parts, seeking data and information concerning the following children's products and materials used to manufacture those products:
- Toys subject to ASTM F963-11, Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Toy Safety, and the presence, if any, or at what levels, of the eight elements (antimony, arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury, and selenium) designated in section 4.3.5 of the standard;
- Toys and certain child care articles, and the presence, if any, or at what levels, of the six prohibited phthalates (DBP, BBP, DEHP, DnOP, DINP, and/or DIDP) listed in section 108 of the CPSIA;
- Manufactured woods (composite wood products that are wood-based materials, such as particle board, medium density fiber board, and plywood, consisting largely of natural, untreated wood and glues, adhesives, waxes, resins, and similar materials) and the presence, if any, or at what levels, of lead;
- Synthetic food dyes and the presence, if any, or at what levels, of lead.
Comments must be submitted by June 17, 2013, must be identified Docket No. CPSC-2011-0081-0024, and may be submitted electronically, via email, or written (preferably in five copies) via mail/hand delivery/courier to:
Office of the Secretary
U.S. Consumer Product
Safety Commission, Room 820, 4330
East West Highway, Bethesda, MD 20814
Why It Matters
The RFI seeks information on whether there are materials that can be determined not to include a prohibited element (lead or certain other elements) or chemical (the six prohibited phthalates that are listed in section 108 of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA), such that third party-testing is not required.
This RFI also seeks information on materials that do not, and will not contain the prohibited elements or chemicals in concentrations above the legally allowable limit. Information provided by the public concerning the characteristics of such materials will be used to develop recommended courses of action for the Commission.
How UL Can Help
UL's consumer products group is registered with the CPSC as an accredited laboratory for CPSIA third-party testing and can assist you with the testing and certification requirements under the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA). Our chemical and analytical services include testing for heavy metals, including lead and cadmium, as well as phthalates and other toxins. UL is working with industry to obtain the information requested by the CPSC.
To learn how UL's quality assurance and chemical management services can help ensure regulatory compliance for every country in which you source or sell, click Contact UL at the top of the page and a UL representative will follow up with you soon.