Chris Sunuu, the New Hampshire governor, signed a law prohibiting the sale of soft furniture containing fire retardant (FR) chemicals and limiting the use of fire foam containing fluorine and fluoroalkyl substances (PFASS).
The first is SB 193, which will prohibit the sale, manufacture and distribution of cushioned furniture, covering or cushioning materials containing more than 1% flame retardant or flame retardant mixture. The regulation defines flame retardants as any chemical with the function of resisting or inhibiting fire spread, including halogenated, phosphorus-based, nitrogen-based and nano-level substances.
Exceptions to the ban include second-hand furniture, public-use furniture and mattresses. New furniture produced before 2020 and products imported or purchased by retailers or wholesalers before 2021 are also exempted.
The law will also empower state attorneys general to require furniture manufacturers to provide a certificate of competence and include a provision for compensation to retailers. It came into effect on September 3.
Following Maine and California, New Hampshire has taken action in recent years to ban the use of flame retardants in soft furniture. Concerned about its impact on the environment and health, these substances have been the focus of attention in Europe and the United States.
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