California Seeks Input on Safer Consumer Products Priorities

California's Department of Toxic Substances Control is taking comments on what product categories it should evaluate between 2018 and 2020 under the Safer Consumer Products (SCP) programme.

The DTSC's first work plan covered the period 2015-2017. It included seven broad categories, such as beauty products and furniture, and "potential candidate chemicals" within each category.

The department is currently drafting its 2018-2020 work plan and is seeking public input until 15 November.

Children's sleeping items containing the flame retardants TDCPP or TCEP became the programme's first 'priority product' on 1 July. Manufacturers should have registered with the department by September and begun a statutory alternatives analysis to determine if a safer alternative is possible.

The public comment period on the second priority product – spray polyurethane foam (SPF) containing MDI – ended on 6 June. Regulations to list paint strippers containing methylene chloride are also under development.

State officials have said the next product in line is likely to be perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in carpets and upholstery, or chemicals used in nail salons. Both were subject of workshops earlier this year.

The DTSC said recommendations for its second work plan can include carrying over product categories from the first period as well as new products to consider.