California will prohibit chemical flame retardants in foam

The California state Assembly has approved a bill that would authorise the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission to adopt regulations, allowing the foam insulation used in buildings to meet flammability standards with or without the use of chemical flame retardants. 

Current building codes do not specify the use of flame retardants, but it has become common practice to use them to meet the requirements. The legislation calls for the State Fire Marshal, in consultation with the Bureau of Electronic and Appliance, Home Furnishing and Thermal Insulation, to propose updated flammability standards to the California Buildings Commission by 1 January 2015 . To become effective, the new standards would then have to be adopted by the commission.

The bill (AB127) has been sent to Governor Jerry Brown for his signature, and he has until 13 October to act on it.

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