Rockland County, NY Delays Enforcement of Ban on Toxic Chemicals in Toys

Rockland County has recently signed a stipulation to delay the enforcement of its ‘Toxic Free Toys Act’ until January 1, 2016. It now joins New York Albany County in halting the enforcement of toxic chemicals in children’s products.

Counties Consider Amending Non-Toxic Toy Regulations

In August 2015 Rockland County in New York state implemented Local law 3 of 2015 (Toxic Free Toys Act) [1] to prohibit 7 toxic substances in products for children up to the age of twelve. The law was to be enforced starting October 11, 2015.

In late October 2015, a stipulation [2] signed between Rockland County and the Safe to Play Coalition (STPC) halted the enforcement of Local Law 3 of 2015 until January 1, 2016. The stay will give Rockland County time to evaluate the possibility of amending the law.

Rockland County Local Law 3 of 2015 is functionally identical to Local Law J of 2014 (Toxic Free Toys Act) [3] in Albany County. Rockland County now joins Albany County [4] in halting the enforcement of prohibitions on chemical content in children’s products.

Children’s Products Affected by Law

Highlights of the stay of Local law 3 of 2015 in Rockland County are summarized below

Rockland County Local Law 3 of 2015
Toxic Free Toys Act

Substance
Antimony, arsenic, benzene, cadmium, cobalt, lead and mercury
Scope
Products for children up to age of 12
Requirement
Prohibited
Enforcement date
11 October 2015
Enforcement date (stipulation)
1 January 2016

References:

[1] Safeguards Newsletter – New York Rockland County Prohibits Toxic Chemicals in Children’s Products – 26 August 2015 (http://www.sgs.com/en/Our-Company/News-and-Media-Center/News-and-Press-Releases/2015/08/SafeGuardS-15215-New-York-Rockland-County-Prohibits-Toxic-Chemicals-in-Childrens-Products.aspx)

[2] Rockland County Legislature – Stipulation – October 2015 (https://www.wewear.org/assets/1/7/Rockland_County_Stipulation_1510.PDF)   

[3] Safeguards Newsletter – New York Albany County Prohibits Certain Chemicals in Children’s Product – January 2015 (http://newsletter.sgs.com/eNewsletterPro/uploadedimages/000006/sgs-safeguards-01415-new-york-albany-county-prohibits-chemicals-childrens-products-a4-en-15.pdf)

[4] Safeguards News – US – Albany County Stays Ban on 7 Chemicals in Children’s Products – 2 June 2015 (http://www.sgs.com/en/Our-Company/News-and-Media-Center/News-and-Press-Releases/2015/06/SafeGuardS-09015-US-Albany-County-Stays-Ban-on-7-Chemicals-in-Childrens-Products.aspx)

About SGS Testing Services for Juvenile Products

SGS has dedicated experts and services to assist companies in the development of juvenile products and childcare articles. SGS offers physical/mechanical tests, chemical tests (http://www.sgs.com/en/Consumer-Goods-Retail/Toys-and-Juvenile-Products/Toys/Testing/Chemical-Testing.aspx), packaging evaluation, and inspections to ensure the compliance of consumer products in target markets. The JPMA has selected SGS as the Principal Laboratory and Program Administrator because of its expertise and experience in quality, compliance and safety in the child care products industry around the world.

Please do not hesitate to contact an SGS expert for further information.

Contact details:

SGS Consumer Testing Services
Hing Wo Tsang
Global Toys and Juvenile Products Information and Innovation Manager
SGS Hong Kong Limited
1/F On Wui Centre
25 Lok Yip Road
Fanling, N.T., Hong Kong, China

t: +852 2774 7420
Email: [email protected]  
Website: http://www.sgs.com/juvenileproducts
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