Companies Eliminating Flame Retardants as California Requires Labeling
See the list of office furniture companies transitioning to products without flame retardants.
See a list of children’s products and furniture companies and a list of baby product companies transitioning to products made without flame retardants.
August 27, 2014
Furniture labeling will inform consumers whether chemical flame retardants are used
Oakland, CA-Today, as the California Assembly adopted legislation (SB 1019) requiring labeling to inform consumers when furniture contains toxic flame retardant chemicals, the Center for Environmental Health (CEH) released survey results from major makers of office furniture showing that many companies are moving away from the toxic, ineffective chemicals. The survey, conducted in conjunction with HDR Architecture, North America’s 2nd largest design firm, found that leading business furniture companies including Global, Arcadia and David Edward have eliminated flame retardant chemicals from their products, and other major companies including Herman Miller, Martin Brattrud and Haworth are in the process of eliminating these chemicals. CEH also released a list of companies who have agreed to eliminate all flame retardants from home furniture and/or children’s products.
“It’s clear that the market for safer products made without these toxic chemicals is here,” said Michael Green, Executive Director of CEH. “We applaud California for protecting consumers’ right to know when products are made with flame retardants. Smart companies know that by eliminating these harmful chemicals they can offer safer products that parents and businesses want for our homes and workplaces.”
In June, CEH surveyed 56 major producers of office furniture to determine their policies on the use of flame retardant chemicals. Of 24 companies that responded, 12 say they have eliminated flame retardants from some or all of their products, and 3 companies anticipate being flame retardant free by January 1. Eight of the remaining 9 companies requested more time to respond, indicating that their plans to eliminate flame retardants are in process.
“As a manufacturer in California, Arcadia prides itself as being proactive on issues of human health,” said Chris Burgess, Executive Vice President, Arcadia, a leading supplier of furniture for corporate offices, educational institutions, healthcare, hospitality, government and sports facilities. “Eliminating flame retardant chemicals in our products is one example of how we are making our products better, safer and more environmentally sensitive. It’s a win for our customers, the environment and our business.”
In addition to office furniture makers, CEH has compiled a list of home furniture and children’s products companies offering products made without flame retardants. Earlier this year CEH reached legal settlements with several such companies who had been using flame retardants but have now committed to eliminating these chemicals from their products.
Under SB1019, furniture makers will be required to add to existing labels information about whether or not they have used chemical flame retardants in their products sold in California. Under new flammability rules the state adopted this year, furniture companies for the first time in decades can make products that conform to state rules without these toxic chemicals. But the new state standard does not require companies to eliminate flame retardants. Until the labeling rule under SB 1019 comes into force, the CEH lists are the best source for consumers and institutional buyers to know when furniture is safer, without flame retardant chemicals. The draft bill was approved by the state Senate and now goes back to the Senate, to be approved as amended. California Governor Jerry Brown ordered the change to the state’s flammability standard in 2012; CEH is urging him to sign SB1019 into law.
The Center for Environmental Health has an eighteen-year track record of protecting children and families from harmful chemicals in our air, water, food and in dozens of every day products. CEH also works with major industries and leaders in green business to promote healthier alternatives to toxic products and practices. In 2010, the San Francisco Business Times bestowed its annual “Green Champion” award to CEH for its work to improve health and the environment in the Bay Area and beyond.
See the list of office furniture companies transitioning to products without flame retardants.
See a list of children’s products and furniture companies and a list of baby product companies transitioning to products made without flame retardants.
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