New: Chemical Reporting
2011 Maine Products Disclosure
Maine passed a chemical safety law in 2008 called the Kid Safe Products Act, under which manufacturers must disclose the use of priority chemicals of high concern in consumer products. The State may require companies to search for safer alternatives. Priority chemicals in products may be phased out when children are exposed and safer alternatives are available, effective and affordable.
In 2010, Maine named the first two priority chemicals under the Kid Safe Products Act: bisphenol A (BPA) and nonylphenol (NP) / nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs). Maine used the law to ban the use of BPA in reusable food and beverage containers, becoming the ninth state to prohibit BPA in plastic baby bottles and sippy cups. Infant formula and baby food makers must assess the availability of safer alternatives to BPA by January 1, 2012.
Manufacturers were required to report their use of NPEs in cosmetics, personal care products, cleaners and home maintenance products by October 3, 2011. Twenty-five manufacturers reported on priority chemical use in consumer products to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection by the deadline.To see a list of products that manufacturers reported to contain BPA or NPEs, click on the view by product category link.
Please sign up for HealthyStuff.org Updates!
Sign up to receive updates from HealthyStuff.org and our partner organizations on new product testing and how you can help state and federal efforts to reform chemical policy.