San Francisco Ban of Flame Retardants

Posted on January 3, 2018January 11, 2018 by EA Accounts

San Francisco’s ordinance to ban flame retardants was unanimously approved on October 17^th, 2017. It was sponsored by Supervisor, Mark Farrell of District 2 on the City and County San Francisco Board of Supervisors.

The ban goes into effect as of January, 1^st 2019. Certain companies have been given an additional six months to comply. All other companies are expected to sell any and all “juvenile product or upholstered furniture” with less than “1,000 ppm of any flame retardant chemical”. The ban does not include children’s mattresses unless they meet 16 CFR Part 1632 or 1633.

Details are not currently available of how or if this will affect the California’s flammability label.

Need help with a flammability label? Contact Us.

Ontario Regulation Changes

Posted on August 1, 2017 by Jen Bragdon

The government is planning to update their regulations to limit annual licensing requirements to bedding, mattresses and upholstered furniture articles. Second-hand materials would still be allowed as stuffing, provided they comply with the sterilization standards; labeling requirements would be simplified to give businesses greater flexibility; home hobby and craft operators would no longer need licensing; and they plan on introducing mandatory incident reporting. Before moving forward with these changes, the Ministry will be opening up consultation and reviewing comments this summer and into the fall. They are currently operating under the status quo, but change is imminent. Please CONTACT Ontario for more information.

Regulation to Reduce Formaldehyde Emissions

Posted on August 1, 2017 by Jen Bragdon

Composite Wood Products

If you are a manufacturer, an importer, a distributor or a retailer of any finished product containing manufactured wood, you should be aware that the Environmental Protection Agency’s rule regarding formaldehyde emissions is back on. While the new Administration had attempted to delay the program’s effective date, that effort was met with resistance and threats of legal challenges. While we at Legal Label will have more to say about this subject in coming weeks and months, you should be aware now that the new federal program will be imposing new emissions standards for hardwood plywood, medium-density fiberboard and particleboard as of December, 2017. Laminated wood components will not fall within the scope of the new rule for 7 years and, as of now, structural plywood is exempt as well.

Labels for finished products containing such manufactured wood will also be required as will vigorous record-keeping rules.
Notably, every company in the supply chain will bear the burden of record-keeping.
Legal label will be assist to your company with its new label obligation.
Finally, note that EPA and the State of California are working together to figure out how best to phase out the California program already in existence. As is usual in these situations, a transition period will most likely be provided, thereby easing the changes with product labels
While we have yet to see a lot of details about this new program, we do advise every affected company to now start working with its wood panel suppliers in an effort to anticipate the new requirements. Do not wait!
Stay tuned for further details.

San Francisco’s ordinance to ban flame retardants was unanimously approved on October 17th, 2017. It was sponsored by Supervisor, Mark Farrell of District 2 on the City and County San Francisco Board of Supervisors.

San Francisco’s ordinance to ban flame retardants was unanimously approved on October 17^th, 2017. It was sponsored by Supervisor, Mark Farrell of District 2 on the City and County San Francisco Board of Supervisors.