ACC Comments on Final Recommendations Under Safer Products for Washington

The American Chemistry Council (ACC) issued the following statement in response to the Final Regulatory Determinations Report to the Legislature from the Washington State Department of Ecology (Department of Ecology) regarding its implementation of Safer Products for Washington.

“The American Chemistry Council has serious concerns about the process by which this report was developed, the lack of scientific basis for elements of the report, and the regulatory proposals themselves. In many cases, the Department of Ecology’s recommendations are inconsistent with the underlying intent of the law that created this program. However, we acknowledge the Department has made changes from its initial draft report, and we are appreciative that the Department incorporated stakeholder feedback in some instances.

“ACC strongly supports efforts to ensure that chemicals are responsibly and safely used. Yet, we are concerned that the approach taken by the Department of Ecology could undermine product safety, performance, and innovation. For example, the Department of Ecology is recommending restrictions on all organohalogen flame retardants (OFRs) in plastic device casings and enclosures for all indoor electrical and electronic equipment. These requirements would have a sweeping effect, applying to thousands of electronic and household items — including but not limited to televisions, charging cables, kitchen appliances, clothes washers and dryers, irons, coffee makers, vacuum cleaners, hair dryers, and various other equipment. OFRs are an essential tool to meet product fire safety standards as well as to deliver product performance. 

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