Bill > S2293

This bill, titled "To protect children and families from harmful flame retardants," amends Chapter 21A of the General Laws to prohibit the sale, manufacture, distribution, or import of children's products (items for children 12 and under) and residential upholstered furniture that contain certain chemical flame retardants above a total weight of 1,000 parts per million. The bill defines key terms like "children's product," "department" (referring to the department of environmental protection), "manufacturer," "residential upholstered furniture," and "retailer." It specifically lists several prohibited chemicals, including TDCPP, TCEP, decabromodiphenyl ether, and various PBDEs, and grants the department the authority to review and add other harmful flame retardants every three years if they are found to pose significant health risks, such as developmental toxicity, cancer, or endocrine disruption, and are present in human tissues or the home environment. Exemptions are provided for motor vehicles and their components, as well as for previously-owned products and products manufactured before January 1, 2017, or those containing prohibited chemicals solely due to the use of recycled materials. Manufacturers and retailers violating these provisions face civil penalties, starting at up to $1,000 for a first offense and increasing to $5,000 for subsequent violations per item sold. The bill also mandates that manufacturers notify retailers about the new law by October 3, 2016, and the entire act takes effect on January 1, 2017.