Minnesota Expands Restrictions on FR Chemicals to Two Product Classes

Mattress and residential textiles will be added to products subject to Minnesota's controls on flame-retardant (FR) controls under a law signed May 22. They join children's products and upholstered furniture.

Another expansion also involves addition of the phrase "any organohalogenated flame retardant chemical." Previously, the state had targeted just four named chemicals. The 1,000-ppm limit remains. The updates will become effective in July 2022.

There are exemptions and exceptions (bit.ly/2HK6kZv):

• Used products.
• Electronic components and their casings.
• Any products in the four classes that are subject to a federal flammability standards.
• Mattress stitching.
• All adult mattress components except foam.
• Certain polymeric chemicals subject to federal rules.
• Certain chemicals deemed safe in federal rules.

The new law also adds provisions addressing firefighting foams. Those become effective next year.