USA - Ban on 11 Flame Retardants in Massachusetts

​​Massachusetts signed into law to prohibit 11 flame retardants in certain consumer products on January 1, 2021.

A manufacturer or retailer shall not sell, offer, or manufacture for sale, distribute in commerce or import into the State the covered products on Janaury 1, 2022 that contain any of the following 11 chemical flame retardants or a chemical analogue in a concentration of more than 1000 ppm for any component part of the covered products.

1. Tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl)phosphate (TDCPP)
2. Tris(2-chloroethyl)phosphate (TCEP)
3. Antimony trioxide
4. Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD)
5. Bis(2-ethylhexyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrabromophthalate (TBPH)
6. 2-ethylhexyl-2,3,4,5-tetrabromobenzoate (TBB)
7. Chlorinated paraffins
8. Tris (1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TCPP)
9. PentaBDE
10. OctaBDE
11. Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA)

Covered products means bedding, carpeting, children's products, residential upholistered furniture or window treatment.

It is also a responsibility for a manufacturer of a covered product, that contains a banned chemical flame retardant, to provide notice to retailers and other persons that sell covered products in the State on or before July 1, 2021.

The law also allows the State's Department of Environmental Protection to review the list of flame retardants every 3 years and amend it if necessary. The Department can also establish a labeling program for any covered products that meet relevant fire safety standards and does not contain a chemical flame retardant listed above.​​