The American Chemistry Council’s (ACC) North American Flame Retardant Alliance (NAFRA) issues a statement in response to proposed restrictions and reporting requirements from the Washington State Department of Ecology (Department of Ecology) regarding the use of organohalogen flame retardants (OFRs) in casings and enclosures of electronic and electrical equipment. The proposal is part of Safer Products for Washington – Cycle 1.
The statement reads, in part:
“The Department of Ecology’s Safer Products for Washington proposal goes far beyond any other product safety regulation in place at the state, federal or international level by restricting the use of OFRs in casings and enclosures of electronic and electrical equipment intended for indoor use. The proposal also creates an onerous and ambiguous reporting requirement for manufacturers of electronic and electrical equipment intended for outdoor use that contain OFRs in the casing or enclosure. In both cases, the ability to apply OFR chemistries to a wide variety of electronic products could be jeopardized. NAFRA continues to raise concerns with the direction and language of the Safer Products for Washington proposal and the Department of Ecology’s regulatory approach.
“Public health risks posed by fire remain a concern for Washington State. In 2021, there were more than 5,000 house fires in the state, resulting in more than $200 million in property losses. In the span between 2008 and 2017, there were 581 fire-related fatalities to Washington State residents, with the second leading cause reported as “electrical related,” including misuse of electrical equipment, improperly installed wiring, overloaded circuits, or misuse of electrical extension cords.
“Flame retardants are used to reduce fire risks and meet product safety standards. One of the most important benefits of flame retardants in product design is that they can help stop small ignition events from turning into larger fires. This can reduce the risk of a fire spreading and may provide more time for people to escape and more time for emergency personnel to respond.”
Read the full press release at www.americanchemistry.com
