§ 2971 - Brominated flame retardants - Vermont Statutes

§ 2971. Brominated flame retardants

(a) As used in this section:

(1) "Brominated flame retardant" means any chemical containing the element bromine that is added to plastic, foam, or textile to inhibit flame formation.

(2) "Congener" means a specific PBDE molecule.

(3) "DecaBDE" means decabromodiphenyl ether or any technical mixture in which decabromodiphenyl ether is a congener.

(4) "Flame retardant" means any chemical that is added to a plastic, foam, or textile to inhibit flame formation.

(5) "Manufacturer" means any person who manufactures a final product containing a regulated brominated flame retardant or any person whose brand-name is affixed to a product containing a regulated brominated flame retardant.

(6) "Motor vehicle" means every vehicle intended primarily for use and operation on the public highways, and shall include farm tractors and other machinery used in the production, harvesting, and care of farm products.

(7) "OctaBDE" means octabromodiphenyl ether or any technical mixture in which octabromodiphenyl ether is a congener.

(8) "PentaBDE" means pentabromodiphenyl ether or any technical mixture in which a pentabromodiphenyl ether is a congener.

(9) "PBDE" means polybrominated diphenyl ether.

(10) "Technical mixture" means a PBDE mixture that is sold to a manufacturer. A technical mixture is named for the predominant congener in the mixture, but is not exclusively made up of that congener.

(b) As of July 1, 2010, no person may offer for sale, distribute for sale, distribute for promotional purposes, or knowingly sell at retail a product containing octaBDE or pentaBDE in a concentration greater than 0.1 percent by weight.

(c) Except for inventory purchased prior to July 1, 2009, a person may not, as of July 1, 2010, manufacture, offer for sale, distribute for sale, or knowingly sell at retail the following products containing decaBDE in a concentration greater than 0.1 percent by weight:

(1) A mattress or mattress pad; or

(2) Upholstered furniture.

(d) Except for inventory purchased prior to July 1, 2009, a person may not, as of July 1, 2012, manufacture, offer for sale, distribute for sale, or knowingly sell at retail a television or computer with a plastic housing containing decaBDE in a concentration greater than 0.1 percent by weight.

(e) This section shall not apply to:

(1) the sale or resale of used products; or

(2) motor vehicles or parts for use on motor vehicles.

(f) As of July 1, 2010, a manufacturer of a product that contains decaBDE and that is prohibited under subsection (c) or (d) of this section shall notify persons that sell the manufacturer's product of the requirements of this section.

(g) A manufacturer shall not replace decaBDE, pursuant to this section, with a chemical that is:

(1) Classified as "known to be a human carcinogen" or "reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen" in the most recent report on carcinogens by the National Toxicology Program in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services;

(2) Classified as "carcinogenic to humans" or "likely to be carcinogenic to humans" in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's most recent list of chemicals evaluated for carcinogenic potential; or

(3) Identified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as causing birth defects, hormone disruption, or harm to reproduction or development.

(h) A violation of this section shall be deemed a violation of the Consumer Fraud Act, chapter 63 of Title 9. The attorney general has the same authority to make rules, conduct civil investigations, enter into assurances of discontinuance, and bring civil actions, and private parties have the same rights and remedies as provided under subchapter 1 of chapter 63 of Title 9.

(i) In addition to any other remedies and procedures authorized by this section, the attorney general may request a manufacturer of upholstered furniture, mattresses, mattress pads, computers, or televisions offered for sale or distributed for sale in this state to provide the attorney general with a certificate of compliance with this section with respect to such products. Within 30 days of receipt of the request for a certificate of compliance, the manufacturer shall:

(1) Provide the attorney general with a certificate declaring that its product complies with the requirements of this section; or

(2) Notify persons who sell in this state a product of the manufacturer's which does not comply with this section that sale of the product is prohibited, and submit to the attorney general a list of the names and addresses of those notified.

(j) The attorney general shall consult with retailers and retailer associations in order to assist retailers in complying with the requirements of this section. (Added 2009, No. 61, § 46.)