CPSC’s Proposed Rule Would Expand Phthalate Ban

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recently published a long-awaited proposed rule that, if finalized in its current form, would permanently ban certain additional phthalates from children's toys and child care products. 79 Fed. Reg. 78324 (Dec. 30, 2014). The proposed additional phthalate ban covers DIBP, DPENP DHEXP, and DCHP, and applies to these two categories of products, while leaving in place the CPSC's original ban of DEHP, BBP, and DBP for the same types of items. If the proposed rule is adopted as expected, the CPSC's interim ban of DNOP and DIDP, which applied only to child care products and mouthable toys, will also sunset, so there could be some major changes in store for those that make, source, and sell children's and baby care products.