SEATTLE (AP) — Washington state is now requiring manufacturers of toys, cosmetics, jewelry and baby products to report when their products contain certain harmful chemicals.
State officials have come up with a list of 66 chemicals that would trigger reporting to the state. The list includes formaldehyde, bisphenol A and endocrine disruptors.
The new law went into effect this week. Ecology Department officials say the rule is the first step in making children’s products safer.
It applies to manufacturers of products intended for sale in Washington. Retailers who only sell, but don’t make or import, children’s products are not subject to the rule.
Large manufacturers must report to the state by August 2012. The rule will phase in over the next several years for smaller companies.
