Chemical Legislation in Connecticut
An Act Concerning Child Product Safety (Green Chemistry Initiative)
Connecticut passed the Act Concerning Child Product Safety in 2008. The Act identifies the following children’s products as banned hazardous substances that may not be introduced into commerce within the state:
- Between July 1, 2009, and June 30, 2011: children’s products containing lead in excess of 300 ppm by weight for any part of the product.
- Starting July 1, 2011, children’s products containing lead in excess of 100 ppm by weight for any part of the product. However, if the Commissioner or Consumer Protection determines a lower limit is feasible, then the law authorizes a lead limit as low as 40 ppm
- Starting July 1, 2009, children’s products with lead-containing paint greater than 90 ppm total lead content.
- Starting July 1, 2009, children’s products with lead-containing paint greater than 0.009 mg of lead per cm2.
Limited exemptions are available for inaccessible components and electronic devices.
Note, however, that these lead restrictions are largely preempted by the federal Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA). As a result, the federal lead limits will be enforced in Connecticut. The Act also requires the state to compile a list of toxic substances, recommend the maximum amount of the substance that should be allowed in children’s products, and identify safer alternatives to those substances. The Act authorizes the Department of Consumer Protection to participate in an interstate clearinghouse to prioritize chemicals according to their level of concern and organize available data on such chemicals. Finally, the Act prohibits the sale of asbestos containing toys or other articles marketed for use by children under the age of 16.
An Act Establishing a Chemical Innovations Institute at the University of Connecticut
In 2010, Connecticut adopted legislation establishing a Chemical Innovations Institute within the University of Connecticut Health Center, in order to promote green chemistry and provide assistance to business, state agencies, and nonprofit organizations in identifying safer alternatives to chemicals that are harmful to public health and the environment.
An Act Prohibiting the Use of Bisphenol-A in Thermal Receipt Paper and Increasing the Duties of the Chemical Innovations Institute
On July 13, 2011, the Governor of Connecticut signed into law SB 210. Effective October 1, 2013, the Act prohibits the manufacture, sale, offer for sale, or distribution in Connecticut of thermal receipt paper or cash register receipt paper containing BPA. However, if EPA does not identify a safe and commercially available alternative to BPA in receipt paper by June 30, 2013, the Act would delay the ban until July 1, 2015. (A previous version of the bill also would have required the Chemical Innovations Institute to identify chemicals of high concern as well as safer alternatives to such chemicals. This provision was struck from the final version of the bill.)
An Act Concerning Banning Bisphenol-A in Children's Products and Food Products
In 2009, Connecticut enacted restrictions on the use of BPA in certain food containers. Effective October 1, 2011, the Act prohibits the manufacture, sale, or distribution of BPA-containing reusable food or beverage containers, as well as infant formula and baby food stored in BPA containing plastic containers, jars, and cans. The Act permits existing inventory of infant formula and baby food containers that contain BPA to be sold until October 1, 2012, as long as the containers were bought before October 1.
2011. CONN. GEN. STAT. §§ 21a-12b, 21a-12c
An Act Banning Cadmium in Children’s Jewelry
On June 4, 2010, the Governor of Connecticut signed into law restrictions on cadmium content in children’s jewelry. Effective July 1, 2014, the law prohibits the manufacture, sale, offer for sale, or distribution of children’s jewelry containing cadmium at more than 0.0075% by weight.
Sale of Packaging Components or Packaging Composed of Lead, Cadmium, Mercury, or Hexavalent Chromium Connecticut restricts the use of lead, cadmium, mercury, and hexavalent chromium in packaging.
Effective October 1, 1992, the law prohibits the offer for sale of packages, packaging components, and products in packaging containing these four substances in any concentration, if intentionally added. The law also limits the total concentration of all four substances when incidentally added to packages and packaging components:
- Starting October 1, 1992: 600 ppm by weight.
- Starting October 1, 1993: 250 ppm by weight.
- Starting October 1, 1994: 100 ppm by weight.
CONN. GEN. STAT. §§ 22a-255g to 22a-255m
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