On
July 1, 2021, the Californian Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) made
carpets and rugs containing perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
a Priority Product under the Safer Consumer Products (SCP) Program.
According
to the DTSC, consumers exposed to PFAS may risk several health concerns,
including kidney cancer, testicular cancer, hormone disruption, thyroid
disease, liver damage, developmental & reproductive harm, and
immunosuppression.
The
DTSC has identified carpets and rugs as a major source of PFAS, which are used
extensively for water, stain and oil resistance. The regulation applies to
consumer products containing PFAS made from natural or synthetic fabric
intended to be used as a floor covering inside commercial or residential buildings,
including carpeted door mats.
Exemptions
under the regulation include:
- Carpets
and rugs only used outdoors - Carpets
and rugs for use in planes, trains, ships and vehicles - Resilient
floor coverings - Artificial
Turf - Wall
hangings/coverings - Table
mats - Camping
sleeping mats
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Businesses
operating California that manufacture, import, distribute, sell, or assemble
carpets and rugs containing PFAS now have until August 30, 2021 to provide the DTSC
with a Priority Product Notification (PPN). By December 28, 2021, they are also
required to submit additional analyses and any of the documents listed below:
- Chemical
Removal Intent/Confirmation Notification - Product
Removal Intent/Confirmation Notification - Product-Chemical
Replacement Intent/Confirmation Notification, or - Preliminary
Alternative Analysis Report
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Stakeholders
are advised to now check compliance with the latest Californian requirements
for carpets and rugs.
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.
SGS SafeGuardS keep you up to date with the latest news and developments in the
consumer goods industry. Read the full U.S. California DTSC
Adopts Carpets and Rugs that contain PFAS as Priority Product SafeGuardS.
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For further information contact:
Louann Spirito
Consumer and Retail — Softlines
US & Canada Softlines Business Head
Tel: +1 973 461 7919
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
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