New Orleans, Louisiana – The North American Flame Retardant Alliance (NAFRA) is examining how to challenge recent guidance from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CSPC) around flame retardants in polyurethane foam said spokesman Jay West.
West was responding to a question from the floor following his paper at the CPI Meeting held here 2-4 October 2017.
West continued that NAFRA’s parent, the American Chemistry Council (ACC) is looking at the CSPC’s earlier decisions and examining questions such as ‘have they ever used this kind of authority before?'
West said: 'We’re still very much in an exploratory phase in terms of the specific routes of remedy we might go through.’
‘It’s a very active, fluid situation right now,’ he added.
The CPSC is an independent agency within the US Federal Government. CPSC was created in 1972 by Congress under the Consumer Product Safety Act and began operating in 1973. It’s mission is to protect the public against unreasonable risks of injuries associated with consumer products.
In September, and in the face of advice from its own scientists, the CPSC governors issued guidance bringing doubt on the use of halogenated flame retardants in polyurethane foams for a number of applications. The CPSC's decision was earlier branded 'political' by Lee Salamone, Senior Director, of the CPI, speaking on the fringes of the meeting.
