California Proposition 65 Testing

Bisphenol A - Regulation Effective July 1, 2013:

On July 1, 2013 the California law limiting Bisphenol A (BPA) will go into effect. The limit established for total BPA content is 0.1 parts per billion (ppb). Therefore, products affected by this law cannot contain BPA above this limit. The California requirement is applicable to bottles/cups intended for children 3 years of age or younger. Find out more about the California BPA limit.

In addition to this, the California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) has proposed adding BPA to the California Proposition 65 list as a reproductive toxin. There has been much heated debate between California and the American Chemistry Council regarding this issue. The proposed Maximum Allowable Dose Level (MADL) is 290 micrograms per day. Get the details on BPA and California Proposition 65.

Flame Retardant Concerns:

On October 9, 2012 Tris (1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCPP) was added to the California Proposition 65 list. Over a year after the fact, a number of companies have been found in violation of the requirement – meaning – TDCPP in products without a clear warning label. TDCPP is a flame retardant typically added to polyurethane foam. TDCPP can be found in products such as mattresses, upholstered items, car seats, etc. TDCPP continues to be a hot topic in 2013 & is still turning up in places, especially in the workplace environment. Additionally, the EPA will review 20 different flame retardants to determine if they are hazardous to human health or the environment.

California's Flammability Standard Revised:

In an effort to remove some hazardous flame retardants from furniture, the California Bureau of Electronic & Appliances Repair, Home Furnishings and Thermal Insulation (BEAR-HFTI) has continued working on revisions to California’s flammability standard, Technical Bulletin (TB) 117. Flame retardants were previously added to furniture products in an effort to pass the intense flammability testing set forth in TB 117, which requires that furniture fabric withstand a direct flame contact for 12 seconds. However, the revisions to TB 117 will apply a smolder test that is very similar to ASTM E-1353-08a. The changes to TB 117 are currently being evaluated and will most likely go into effect on July 1, 2014. Find the full list of changes and specifics regarding TB 117.

Applied Technical Services (ATS) is a Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) accredited lab testing consumer products, which includes toys, childcare articles, children’s products, and non-children’s products for compliance with the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA). Since 1967 we have partnered with our customers to help meet consumer expectations, as well as all safety, regulatory, quality, and performance standards. As a compliance testing partner, we support our customers in establishing a reasonable testing and certification program. Our staff is highly knowledgeable with current compliance regulations, and can provide you with rapid response and quick testing turnaround times. Our ISO 9001 certification and ISO 17025 (A2LA) accredited quality assurance programs meets the most stringent industry requirements.