Project Advisory 69, March 2021

House Bill No. 4900 - Restriction of Certain Flame Retardant Chemicals in Massachusetts

All school districts, consultants and their sub-consultants should be aware that with the January 1, 2021 approval of House Bill 4900, Chapter 21A of the Massachusetts General Laws was amended by adding Section 28, prohibiting within Massachusetts the manufacture, sale, distribution in commerce or importation of bedding, carpeting, children’s products, residential upholstered furniture and window treatments that contain certain flame retardant chemicals, except for inventory manufactured prior to December 31, 2021. A manufacturer of a covered product, as defined in Section 28 of Chapter 21A of the General Laws, that contains a chemical flame retardant prohibited by said Section 28 of said Chapter 21A shall provide notice to retailers and other persons that sell covered products in the Commonwealth of the passage of this Act on or before July 1, 2021. This amendment was made to protect children, families, and firefighters from harmful flame retardants.

In addition, every three years, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection will review, identify and recommend, if applicable, other chemical flame retardants that should be prohibited under this section.

Districts should review this amendment of the Massachusetts General Laws with their consultants and local legal counsel to determine compliance requirements and applicability to specific projects.

Refer to the attached documents for additional information: House Bill H.4900

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