The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is requesting information about possible changes to the Commission’s Standard for the Flammability of Clothing Textiles to expand the list of fabrics that are exempt from testing under the standard. CPSC is also seeking possible ways to update provisions under the standard to reduce testing requirements. “CPSC is particularly interested in receiving information about the possibility of adding spandex to the list of fabrics that are exempt from the testing requirements. CPSC also would like information about the equipment and procedures specified in the standard and possible ways to update those provisions to reduce the burdens associated with the testing requirements,” an official notification states. CPSC will accept written comments through June 24, 2019. CPSC said its staff is aware of stakeholder interest in adding spandex fibres to the Specific Exemptions in 16 CFR 1610.1(d). So, it is seeking relevant information and data about spandex fibres that would help CPSC determine whether spandex “consistently yield[s] acceptable results when tested in accordance with the Standard.” With reference to burden and cost associated with testing spandex, CPSC is seeking specific information as to how much testing is required for fabrics containing spandex subject to 16 CFR part 1610. It also wants to know the costs associated with the required testing, and the types of fabrics and garments that require testing. On June 16, 2017, CPSC requested input from interested parties about ways to reduce the burdens and costs associated with existing regulations, while still protecting consumers from risks of death or injuries associated with consumer products. The commission followed up on this burden reduction goal in its Fiscal Year 2019 Operating Plan, directing CPSC staff to review possibilities for reducing burdens, including “expanding exemptions for flammability testing”.
Source – Fibre2Fashion.
