A recent report by the U.S. environmental group Safer States indicates that in 2015, at least 28 U.S. state governments will push for regulations or policies related to the management of chemical substances in consumer products.
As large retail chains in the U.S. such as Walmart have begun requiring their suppliers to disclose and manage substances of high concern (SVHC) in their products, as many as 12 states will consider legislation requiring manufacturers to identify, disclose, and/or eliminate chemicals of concern compared to a few state governments that will set limits on specific chemicals. State governments expected to implement disclosure policies include: California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington.
The categories of specific chemicals that have garnered significant attention largely fall under the categories of flame retardants, plastic components, and preservatives in cosmetics and consumer products, such as formaldehyde. Twelve state governments—Alaska, California, Connecticut, Idaho, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Tennessee, Washington, and the District of Columbia—plan to require the phase-out or special labeling of certain flame retardants used in consumer products. Six state governments—Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, and New York—will legislate on the bisphenol A (BPA) content in children's products, food packaging, and other finished products.
Sources:Chemical Watch (2015-02-18) (Compiled by PIDC)
