Washington State to Impose Restrictions or Mandate Reporting on Chemical Classes with Well-Established Toxicity

In June 2022, The Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) has proposed state-wide chemical restrictions on five classes of chemicals in eleven product categories, the largest number of chemical classes and products to ever be considered by a state at one time. Regulatory determinations cover organohalogen flame retardants (OFRs) in plastic electronic casings, PFASs in textile furnishings, bisphenols in can linings and thermal paper, and ortho-phthalates in personal care items and vinyl flooring. Under the Safer Products for Washington program, Ecology will not identify the following as priority consumer products: Plastic shipping pallets manufactured prior to 2012; Food or beverages; Tobacco products; Drug or biological products regulated by the United States Food and Drug Administration; Finished products certified or regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration or the Department of Defense, or both, when used in a manner that was certified or regulated by such agencies, including parts, materials, and processes when used to manufacture or maintain such regulated or certified finished products; Motorized vehicles, including on and off-highway vehicles, such as all-terrain vehicles, motorcycles, side-by-side vehicles, farm equipment, and personal assistive mobility devices; and Chemical products used to produce an agricultural commodity, as defined in RCW 17.21.020.282.