Flame Retardant Testing

Proactive Approach to Meeting Regulation and Brand Protection

The addition of flame retardants in consumer goods such as upholstered furniture, children’s products and tent fabric were once lauded for increasing fire safety. Commonly added to polyurethane foams and textiles, flame retardant compounds created unique chemistries which inhibited ignition of a fire or reduced fire severity.

In the past few years though, research has linked flame retardants to numerous health and environmental problems. It’s these studies that have given rise to a plethora of new regulations. Manufacturers and retailers are now tasked with ensuring that their soft goods comply with the various state, federal and international requirements. Flame retardants testing can confirm compliance to regulations, as well as providing peace of mind that products are free of these harmful chemicals and safe for consumer use.

SOLUTION

At Bureau Veritas, we have been partnering with manufacturers, brands and retailers in meeting the chemical requirements of today’s challenging marketplace for decades. We can identify and address the flame retardants that may be present in products or used during manufacturing process, developing a customized program to help you meet the applicable requirements and industry standards for markets in which products will be sold, as well as any retailer requirements.

Factors such as where a product will be sold, the nature of the product, and its applicable regulations help determine which flame retardants to test for.

For example, there are numerous CA Proposition 65 settlements for products such as upholstered furniture, certain children’s products, mattresses, seat cushions, and tent/shelter fabrics. Each product type has its own list of compounds and maximum allowable limits. For example, foam pregnancy cushions and nursing pillows sold in California must contain no more than 25 mg/kg of each TCEP, TRIS, and TDCPP. Washington State has their own requirements (HB 2545 under chapter RCW 70.240.025), as do other states, municipalities and countries such as Minnesota, Vermont, Maine, New York, Maryland, Washington D.C., Canada (SOR/2014-79 of CCPSA), and the EU (2009/48/EC).

With our state-of-the-art analytical testing instrumentation and experienced analytical testing team, we operate testing systems such as GC/MS, GC/MS-NCI, HPLC/MS, and ICP-OES to efficiently and accurately detect and quantify the levels of flame retardant compounds present in your samples.

What are the key benefits?

• Validate the raw materials in the early stages of your supply chain are compliant
• Evaluate if your end products meet regulatory requirements and consumer expectations
• Implement quality management throughout the supply chain
• Reduce potential losses due to returns and recalls
• Enhance risk management and brand protection

FAQ

What types of regulations exist for flame retardants?
There are too many to list here. In recent years, more and more governments and municipalities have placed restrictions on flame retardants. Please contact one of our subject matter experts to help navigate you through your unique situation.

What types of products contain flame retardants?
Flame retardants can be added to almost any type of product, but in the textile world, they are most commonly found in foams and fabrics. This includes clothing, drapery, mattresses, cushions, carpets, and even materials in textured children’s books.

What are the health risks of flame retardant exposure?
Many studies have linked certain classes of flame retardants with adverse health problems. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences has stated that there is a growing body of evidence that associate them with endocrine and thyroid disruption, impacts to the immune system, reproductive toxicity, cancer, and fetal/child neurological development and function. Exposure can occur via direct contact, dust accumulation, and even while fighting fires.

How much does flame retardant cost and how quickly can I get results?
Cost and turnaround times are situation specific. The list of selected compounds and which testing systems require utilization are often determining factors. Please contact one of our knowledgeable engineers to create a plan that meets your needs, timeframe, and budget.

Get in touchwith us

First name

Last name

Phone (e.g. +1 415-555-1234)

Company

Country / Territory

How can we help you?

Would you like to receive marketing communication from Bureau Veritas?

Yes

INFORMATION NOTICE TO DATA SUBJECTS
Your personal data are collected by Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services Division (“BVCPS”), through its entity Bureau Veritas Hong Kong Limited (having its registered office at 1/F, Pacific Trade Centre, 2 Kai Hing Road, Kowloon Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong), as well as the BVCPS affiliate(s) with which you had, have or will have a business relationship or that otherwise decide(s) which of your personal data is collected and how it is used.  A list of BVCPS affiliates is available at: BVCPS Locations (https://www.cps.bureauveritas.com/sites/g/files/zypfnx236/files/media/document/BVCPS%20Locations_20210611_for%20web.pdf)
Your personal data are subject to computer processing in order to respond to your requests and to provide you with additional information about BVCPS services, events or topics that may be of interest to you on the basis of your consent to the processing of your personal data for that purpose (by checking the box below).
Your personal data are intended for use by the relevant business departments of BVCPS and/or their service providers depending on the nature of your requests, as well as by BVCPS IT department.    Your personal data will be retained until the earlier of (a) one year after the last communication, or (b) your request to delete the personal data. 
Your personal data may be transferred outside the European Union, on the basis of your explicit consent, as the data subject, to the proposed transfer. By checking the box below, you are providing your explicit consent to the proposed transfer, with your acknowledgement of the possible risks of such transfer due to the absence of an adequacy decision pursuant to Article 45 of the General Data Protection Regulation of 27 April 2016 or of appropriate safeguards pursuant to Article 46 of the General Data Protection Regulation of 27 April 2016.
In accordance with the French Data Protection Act of 6 January 1978 as amended and the General Data Protection Regulation of 27 April 2016, you may have the right to access, rectify and erase any personal data concerning you, as well as the right to limit the processing, the right to oppose to the processing or the right to portability of your personal data. You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time by connecting to the site or application (https://personaldataprotection.bureauveritas.com). and unchecking the box dedicated to the collection of your consent. You also have the right to set out general and specific guidelines that define how you intend these rights to be exercised after your death. You can exercise your rights by e-mail at the following address: https://personaldataprotection.bureauveritas.com. Finally, you have a right to lodge a complaint to the Commission Nationale Informatique et Libertés (CNIL) or the relevant authorities in your country.
Fields marked with an asterisk must be filled in. Otherwise, BVCPS would not be able to respond to your requests and/or provide you with additional information.