Oregon to require registration and phase-out of chemicals in children’s products

On 3 July 2015, the House passed SB 478 bill submitted by Oregon on its third reading. The legislation requires Oregon Health Authority (OHA) to establish and maintain list of designated “high priority chemicals of concern” and to periodically review and revise list, requires the registration of articles containing those substances, and calls for their phase-out in certain children's products.
 
According to the bill, list of “high priority chemicals of concern” will mirror Washington state's list of 66 chemicals of high concern to children (CHCC), which includes known or suspected developmental and reproductive toxicants, endocrine disrupting chemicals and carcinogens, including flame retardants, phthalates, parabens, and solvents.
 
The scope of bill SB 478 covers products made for, or marketed to, children under the age of 12, and includes: toys, children's jewellery, footwear and apparel, car seats, and children's cosmetics.
 
Manufacturers of children’s products shall submit reports to Oregon OHA or Interstate Chemicals Clearinghouse biennially to detail the function and volume of listed chemicals present in each product sold into the state. Contaminants, such as unintended chemical byproducts or trace impurities, present at concentrations of 100ppm or more, must also be reported. Manufacturers shall submit the first report no later than 1 January 2018. But they may apply for a waiver from phase-out mandates if sufficient information is given.
 
Unlike the Washington Children's Safe Products Act (CPSA), the Oregon legislation would go beyond reporting requirements. Manufacturers would be required to remove or replace any listed chemical on or before the third biennial reporting, in those products that are “mouthable,” applied to the skin, or manufactured for use by children under the age of three.
 
C&K Testing reminds that manufactures shall make preparations to adapt to stricter standards and requirements on children’s products. Manufacturers shall choose professional testing agencies for compliance testing due to different requirements on consumer products testing in every US state.

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Further information
Senate Bill 478