CPSC Creates Exemptions From Children's Product Testing Requirement for Some Synthetic Fibers
The Consumer Product Safety Commission is finalizing exemptions from testing requirements for children’s products containing certain unfinished manufactured fibers. Under the proposal, unfinished polyester (polyethylene terephthalate, PET), nylon, polyurethane (spandex), viscose rayon, natural rubber latex, acrylic and modacrylic would be exempt from testing requirements for phthalates. All those elements besides polyester would also be exempt from testing for certain elements listed in the voluntary industry standard ASTM F963.
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CPSC found that there is a “high degree of assurance” that the unfinished manufactured fibers don't have any of these chemicals or elements above regulatory limits. “Based on these determinations, the specified unfinished manufactured fibers would not be required to have third party testing for compliance with the requirements of the ASTM F963 elements or phthalates for children’s toys and child care articles,” CPSC said. The final rule takes effect July 1.
Under the proposal, accessible component parts of children’s toys and child care articles made with the unfinished manufactured fibers specified in the final rule will not be required to be third-party tested for phthalates or the F963 elements. Accessible component parts of children’s toys and child care articles made with manufactured fibers not listed in the proposal still have to be tested to get a Children’s Product Certificate, CPSC said.
According to CPSC, an “unfinished fiber is one that has no chemical additives beyond those required to manufacture the fiber. Manufactured fibers, unlike naturally occurring fibers, could have chemicals added before fiber formation to impart color or some desirable performance property, such as flame retardancy. For unfinished fibers as described in this rule, the unfinished fiber is free of these chemical additives,” the final rule said.
(Federal Register 06/01/20)