EPA Issues Compliance Guide for Substances Used in Surface Coatings

January 26, 2021 | The Toy Association is alerting its members to a new compliance guide for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Significant New Use Rule (SNUR) regarding several substances applied as surface coatings in imported and manufactured articles.

“The most likely place these perfluoroalkyl substances might be found in toys is as surface coatings on fabrics, adhesives, or in water-based inks,” said Alan Kaufman, The Toy Association’s senior vice president of technical affairs.  “While toy manufacturers are not expected to be utilizing these substances intentionally, members are cautioned to be certain that purchased fabrics and paper goods, (especially if they are oil-, stain- and/or water-resistant) or water-based inks or adhesives, do not contain substances that are not exempted, as the rule requires 90 days’ notice to EPA of any intention to manufacture or import items containing these substances.”

The new compliance guidance can be read here. Members may direct any questions on this topic to The Toy Association’s Alan Kaufman.