Health Canada Aims to Eliminate the Use of Flame Retardants in Certain Consumer Products

Stakeholders are reminded Health
Canada has published a notice concerning compliance with flammability
performance requirements for specified goods under the Canada Consumer Product
Safety Act (CCPSA).

The intention of the notice is to the
encourage manufacturers, importers, advertisers and sellers of these products to
achieve compliance without using flame retardant chemicals, or by using safe
and non-chemical alternatives.

CCPSA prohibits the manufacture,
import, advertisement or sale of any consumer good that is a “danger to human
health or safety.” While flame retardant chemicals are designed to slow
ignition and the spread of fire, some can also be harmful to human health in
certain exposure situations. Health Canada is encouraging businesses to
voluntarily disclose to the public when any flame retardant chemical is used in
a consumer product supplied or sold in Canada.

Current prohibitions and restrictions
include:

  • Polyurethane foam intended for a child under three years of age –
    prohibition on tris (2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP)
  • Textile fibres intended for use as wearing apparel – prohibition on tris (2,3-dibromoproply) phosphate (TDBPP)
  • Loose-fitting sleepwear for children – restrictions on all flame
    retardant chemicals

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For more information, see SGS’s
original SafeGuard 090/21.

Stakeholders are also reminded that Health
Canada has published, ‘Industry Guide to Flammability of Textile Products in
Canada’. This offers advice to industry concerning what actions can be taken
and encourages consideration of fiber content, fabric construction, weight and
finish, etc., when designing, constructing and sourcing products and their
components.

SGS Softlines Services

SGS has a worldwide network of over 40
state-of-the-art laboratories specializing in testing of apparel, footwear, and
home textiles. Their committed team is drawn from multi-disciplinary
backgrounds, allowing them to carry out a comprehensive range of physical,
chemical, and functional testing services for components, materials and
finished products. SGS helps companies ensure quality, performance, and
compliance with international, industrial, and regulatory standards worldwide.
After all, it’s only trusted because it’s tested.
Learn more about SGS’s Softlines Services.

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keep you up to date with the latest news and developments in the consumer goods
industry. Read the full Health Canada Publishes
Notice on the Use of Flame Retardants in Certain Consumer Products
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For
further information contact:

Louann
Spirito

Consumer
and Retail — Softlines

US
& Canada Softlines Business Head

Tel:
+1 973 461 7919

HingWo
Tsang

Global
Information and Innovation Manager Hardlines

Tel:
(+852) 2774 7420

Email:
crs.media@sgs.com

Website:
www.sgs.com/softlines

LinkedIn:
sgs-consumer-goods-&-retail

About
SGS

We
are SGS – the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company. We
are recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. Our 93,000
employees operate a network of 2,600 offices and laboratories, working together
to enable a better, safer and more interconnected world.

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