Bill > S1132

This bill, aimed at protecting children and families from harmful flame retardants, amends Chapter 94B of the General Laws by adding new sections that define terms like "chemical of high concern" (chemicals known to cause developmental issues, cancer, genetic damage, reproductive harm, endocrine disruption, or damage to the nervous, immune, or organ systems), "children's product" (items for children 12 and under), and various flame retardants including PBDEs (polybrominated diphenyl ethers, which encompass DecaBDE, OctaBDE, and PentaBDE), and TRIS (a group of flame retardants like TDCPP, TCEP, and TCPP). The bill prohibits the manufacture, sale, or distribution of children's products or residential upholstered furniture containing TRIS above 1,000 parts per 1,000,000, and any product containing PBDEs above 0.1 percent by weight. It also restricts products containing other flame retardants identified as "chemicals of high concern" if deemed harmful by government entities. Exceptions are made for motor vehicles, watercraft, aircraft, all-terrain vehicles, off-highway motorcycles, and previously-owned products, as well as products manufactured before January 1, 2014, or those containing restricted chemicals due to recycled materials. Violators face civil penalties, with escalating fines for repeat offenses, and manufacturers, wholesalers, and principal importers must notify retailers of these restrictions at least 90 days before the law takes effect, which is generally January 1, 2016, though a specific provision regarding retailers takes effect on January 1, 2016.