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A one-size-fits-all approach is neither scientifically accurate, nor appropriate. The truth is, just like in our own families, every individual chemical in a family has its own unique set of qualities and behaviors that can provide important benefits. 

From life-saving medications to fuel for our cars, most people would agree: Our lives are better because of modern chemistry. However, the American Chemistry Council (ACC) is concerned by the attempts by federal and state policymakers to use one-size-fits-all policies to ban, restrict, or regulate entire chemical families, such as phthalates, siloxanes, fluorinated chemistries, and flame retardants.

Lately, there has been a trend in one-size-fits-all policies by federal and state policymakers to ban, restrict, or regulate entire chemical families. Reviews and regulations should take into account the significant differences among the many compounds that are part of a chemical family. 

“Safety is a top priority for our industry, and we believe consumers deserve to have confidence that the products they buy are safe.”

The inaccurate and misleading claims made in this study are not supported by the very science and data cited within the research paper.

The ACC’s North American Flame Retardant Alliance (NAFRA) issued the following comments in response to passage of HR 2647 — the Safer Occupancy Furniture Flammability Act (SOFFA) — by the U.S. House of Representatives.

NAFRA is committed to collaborating with downstream users, retailers, brand owners, and government regulators to support the safe manufacture and use of consumer products and to reinforce the value flame retardants bring to fire safety.

Since the introduction of strict fire safety standards in the U.S. — including those standards where flame retardants are a useful tool — fires have been reduced by over 50 percent, from 734,000 in 1980 to 352,000 in 2016.

Manufacturers include specific flame retardants in their products based on the product’s attributes, properties, usage, and potential ignition threats.

Flame retardants are an essential tool for meeting fire safety standards and keeping people and property safe.

Flame retardants are a critical safety component because electronics have a variety of potential ignition sources generated by the essential components of the product, including circuit boards, batteries, wiring, fans, connectors, and even plugs.

The performance properties that make electronics so essential to our lives — utility, speed, durability, and extended use — are powered by potential ignition sources that rely on flame retardants to meet safety standards.

Flame retardants play an important role in reducing fire risk and helping ensure overall product safety.