In 2008, Washington's Legislature passed the Children's Safe Products Act (or CSPA) (Chapter 70A.430 RCW). This law applies to children’s products sold in Washington state. Washington’s laws apply to a broader range of consumer products than those covered by federal limits.
CSPA does the following:
Limits the presence of these priority toxic chemicals:
The law defines children’s products as those that fall under these six main categories:
Toys.
Children’s cosmetics made or marketed to children under the age of 12.
Children’s jewelry made or marketed to children under the age of 12.
Products to help a child with sucking or teething, sleeping, relaxation, or feeding.
Products designed or intended to be worn as clothing or footwear by children.
Portable infant or child automobile safety seats.
The law also defines what is not included as a children’s product (e.g., video toys, bicycles, certain sporting equipment, and chemistry sets).
Why does CSPA limit the chemicals that it does?
CSPA limits or bans the use of certain chemicals due to their potential health risks, especially to children. These chemicals are also on our list of priority toxic chemicals due to their harmful impacts on the environment and wildlife.
Cadmium is a heavy metal that is made when refining zinc ore. It is used in pigments for plastics, ceramic, glass, and enamels. It is also used as a stabilizer for polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and in alloys and coatings on steel and other metals.
Health impacts due to exposure to cadmium and cadmium components can result in:
Flame retardants are a group of chemicals that manufacturers add to products such as foam, plastics, textiles, and others to meet flammability standards. Some of these chemicals pose health risks as well as impacts on the environment:
Cancer
Endocrine and reproductive effects
Neurological and developmental disorders
Some flame retardants bioaccumulate (i.e., they build up in living organisms over time), which can harm wildlife such as orcas and other species at the top of the food chain
Lead
Lead is both a naturally-occurring metal and a highly toxic chemical to people and wildlife. It can cause many different types of health problems, but children are more vulnerable than adults to the toxic effects of lead.
The main concern for children is the effect lead has on brain development. Lead is known to cause damage to the brain and nervous system resulting in:
Decreased IQs.
Learning problems.
Hearing and speech problems.
Antisocial and other behavioral issues.
In adults, lead exposure can lead to:
High blood pressure.
Kidney damage.
Lead has been used in products such as paint, ceramics, solders, batteries, cosmetics and plastic such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
Phthalates are a group of chemicals that can be used to make plastics more flexible, and as solvents and fixatives, such as to extend the life of scents in fragrances.
Some can cause the following health and environmental issues:
Hormone disruption.
Impaired reproduction and development in wildlife.
Toxic to aquatic life.
How do we enforce CSPA requirements?
Product testing studies
We monitor the market by conducting product testing studies. We have initiated over 20 product testing studies on products such as children’s clothing, jewelry, cosmetics, toys, bottles, bedding, furniture, and more. As a result of our product testing efforts, we have issued over 150 compliance letters to manufacturers.
Study development
We develop studies that focus on priority toxic chemicals, popular products, underrepresented or more susceptible populations, and manufacturers with previous violations. Some of our studies include the following:
Most enforcement actions have specific deadlines that manufacturers need to respond by. Failure to respond by the deadline reduces the opportunity to contest the enforcement action.
RCW 70A.430.070 clarifies our enforcement process for manufacturers of restricted products, including penalties and required recall actions.
WAC 173-334-120 clarifies our enforcement process for manufacturers that fail to comply with reporting requirements.
How do Washington limits compare to federal limits?
Washington’s laws apply to a broader range of children’s products than those covered by federal limits on cadmium and phthalates, but federal lead limits apply to nearly all children’s products as defined by Washington law.
