December 6, 2018

California Bans Sale of Upholstered Products Containing FRs Above 1000ppm

Published on 2018-11-29. Author : SpecialChem

California has joined states to ban flame retardants in certain household products. Starting January 1, 2020, it will be prohibited to sell or distribute children’s products, mattresses, and upholstered furniture that contain flame retardants in concentrations above 1,000 parts per million (ppm) in the state of California.

Link Between Flame Retardants and Various Health Problems

California has joined states to ban flame
retardants in certain household products

In passing the bill, the Legislature cited proof that flame retardants do little to increase fire safety, and expressed concerns about the link between flame retardants and various health problems, such as developmental problems in children and cancer.

Implementing Rules and Regulations

The law needs the International Sleep Products Association to survey mattress producers every three years to determine what materials are being used to meet flammability standards.

The Bureau of Electronic and Appliance Repair, Home Furnishings, and Thermal Insulation is sanctioned to enforce the new law and adopt implementing rules and regulations.

California is one of a number of states that have banned flame retardants or specific chemicals commonly used in FRs.

San Francisco’s Flame Retardant Ban to Take Effect

On January 1, 2019, San Francisco’s similar ban on sale of upholstered furniture and juvenile products containing flame retardants goes into effect
From next year, it will be prohibited to sell upholstered furniture, reupholstered furniture, or juvenile products which have been made with, or contain a flame retardant chemical at a level above 1, 000 parts per million.
The same ban goes into effect on July 1, 2019 for similar products that have electrical or electronic components.

Labeling Requirements

In addition to banning the sale of products with added flame retardants, the San Francisco ordinance includes labeling requirements for all upholstered furniture and children’s products sold in the city.
The products must be affixed with labels that state that the item does not contain the flame retardants.
The labels required by San Francisco’s ordinance are the same as those currently required under California’s SB 1019, but the label must be marked to indicate that the upholstery materials contain NO added flame retardant chemicals.

Penalties for Violation

Penalties for violation of the ordinance may not exceed $1,000 per day per violation, with each day constituting a separate violation, and each product for sale also constituting a separate violation. In determining the appropriate penalty, the Director or the court will consider “the extent of harm caused by the violation, the nature and persistence of the violation, the frequency of past violations, any action taken to mitigate the violation, and the financial burden to the violator.”

Source: SpecialChem

https://polymer-additives.specialchem.com/news/industry-news/california-bans-frs-1000ppm-000216623?lr=ipa1812478&li=200190118&utm_source=NL&utm_medium=EML&utm_campaign=ipa1812478&m_i=7YU9LhTjW8hfOIEYf65YWIwC6mJd8Bc_vz%2BqhyypxaX9Lim_s3zYo0mLu6nzI55aCE71W_47xZn0%2BfY8bvm6Yxn0nXkx7%2B

December 6, 2018

More California Regs

California Bans Sale of Upholstered Products Containing FRs Above 1000ppm

Published on 2018-11-29. Author : SpecialChem

TAGS: Flame Retardants

California has joined states to ban flame retardants in certain household products. Starting January 1, 2020, it will be prohibited to sell or distribute children’s products, mattresses, and upholstered furniture that contain flame retardants in concentrations above 1,000 parts per million (ppm) in the state of California.

Link Between Flame Retardants and Various Health Problems

California has joined states to ban flame
retardants in certain household products

In passing the bill, the Legislature cited proof that flame retardants do little to increase fire safety, and expressed concerns about the link between flame retardants and various health problems, such as developmental problems in children and cancer.

Implementing Rules and Regulations

The law needs the International Sleep Products Association to survey mattress producers every three years to determine what materials are being used to meet flammability standards.

The Bureau of Electronic and Appliance Repair, Home Furnishings, and Thermal Insulation is sanctioned to enforce the new law and adopt implementing rules and regulations.

California is one of a number of states that have banned flame retardants or specific chemicals commonly used in FRs.

San Francisco’s Flame Retardant Ban to Take Effect

On January 1, 2019, San Francisco’s similar ban on sale of upholstered furniture and juvenile products containing flame retardants goes into effect
From next year, it will be prohibited to sell upholstered furniture, reupholstered furniture, or juvenile products which have been made with, or contain a flame retardant chemical at a level above 1, 000 parts per million.
The same ban goes into effect on July 1, 2019 for similar products that have electrical or electronic components.

Labeling Requirements

In addition to banning the sale of products with added flame retardants, the San Francisco ordinance includes labeling requirements for all upholstered furniture and children’s products sold in the city.
The products must be affixed with labels that state that the item does not contain the flame retardants.
The labels required by San Francisco’s ordinance are the same as those currently required under California’s SB 1019, but the label must be marked to indicate that the upholstery materials contain NO added flame retardant chemicals.

Penalties for Violation

Penalties for violation of the ordinance may not exceed $1,000 per day per violation, with each day constituting a separate violation, and each product for sale also constituting a separate violation. In determining the appropriate penalty, the Director or the court will consider “the extent of harm caused by the violation, the nature and persistence of the violation, the frequency of past violations, any action taken to mitigate the violation, and the financial burden to the violator.”

Source: SpecialChem

https://polymer-additives.specialchem.com/news/industry-news/california-bans-frs-1000ppm-000216623?lr=ipa1812478&li=200190118&utm_source=NL&utm_medium=EML&utm_campaign=ipa1812478&m_i=7YU9LhTjW8hfOIEYf65YWIwC6mJd8Bc_vz%2BqhyypxaX9Lim_s3zYo0mLu6nzI55aCE71W_47xZn0%2BfY8bvm6Yxn0nXkx7%2B

December 5, 2018

Rhine River Levels Rise

Rising Rhine levels offer respite for German propane market: sources

London — A recovery in Rhine water levels has offered a respite for propane distributors in the German market, according to market sources, even as seasonal demand has remained relatively weak.

Water levels have risen rapidly in recent days, allowing fully loaded propane barges to pass through key choke points, including Cologne and Mainz, for the first time in months, according to a source.

On Tuesday, water levels at the key choke point of Kaub were about 152 cm, with levels expected to hit at least 200 cm by Thursday, according to the German waterways authority WSV. This compares with around 50 cm Monday and only 30 cm measured in the week ending Sunday.

Anything below 80 cm at Kaub is considered critical, and anything below 140 cm requires premium payments. That has resulted in a rapid drop in barge freight rates across several products.

Distribution issues that have dogged the German consumer market for months have eased, a source said, though the market was wary of whether rising levels might offer only a temporary reprieve.

Meanwhile, the impact on barge pricing in the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp trading hub has so far remained relatively muted, with the FOB propane barge holding a $48/mt premium over CIF propane cargoes, as market sources say German refineries have sufficient product to meet still soft seasonal heating demand.

“So far people seem to be fine with contract tons,” said a market source. “It is still warm here.”

https://www.spglobal.com/platts/en/market-insights/latest-news/petrochemicals/120518-rising-rhine-levels-offer-respite-for-german-propane-market-sources?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_content=news&utm_term=we-pet&hootpostid=e24d6951e46a0726a0fc68f3f359c331