17.01.2014 • NewsDede WillamsSenior Vice PresidentChemtura

Chemtura Sues California Over New Flammability Standards

U.S. chemical producer and flame retardant specialist Chemtura is challenging in a California superior court new state regulations governing flammability standards for upholstered furniture. The company said the revised rules that took effect on Jan. 1, 2014, replacing standards used as the benchmark nationwide for almost 40 years, replace weaken safety standards rather than improving them.

Under the new rules, furniture manufacturers are required only to make their products pass a cigarette "smolder test," Chemtura said, adding that this eliminates a vital requirement that all filling material used in upholstered furniture pass an open-flame test to replicate a candle, match or lighter flame. "If left unchallenged, California's revised, weakened fire safety standard could tragically lead to more fires and more injuries, deaths and property damage nationwide," said Anne Noonan, senior vice president, industrial engineered products.

Chemtura said the lawsuit is necessary to obtain judicial review of the revised rules and the authority of the California Bureau of Electronic and Appliance Repair, Home Furnishings and Thermal Insulation to ignore a key requirement in the revised standards. It says the relative threat from smoldering cigarettes is declining due to the significant decline in the number of people smoking and is subordinate to maintaining open-flame protection regulations.

Interview

Specialty Chemicals in a Shifting World
Adapting to Tariffs and Strengthening Regional Networks

Specialty Chemicals in a Shifting World

Jennifer Abril, President & CEO of SOCMA, discusses the impact of new tariffs and the importance of regional supply networks in the specialty chemical industry.

Innovation Pitch

The Start-up Platform for Chemistry & Life Sciences
Discover Tomorrow’s Innovators

The Start-up Platform for Chemistry & Life Sciences

CHEManager Innovation Pitch supports innovation in the chemistry and life sciences start-up scene. The platform allows founders, young entrepreneurs, and start-ups to present their companies to the industry.

most read

Photo
19.05.2025 • NewsChemie

OQ Chemicals firmiert künftig wieder als Oxea

Der bis Mai 2020 unter dem Namen Oxea bekannte Hersteller von Oxo-Zwischenprodukten und Oxo-Derivaten, der zwischenzeitlich zum Omanischen Energieunternehmen OQ gehörte und unter dem Namen OQ Chemicals firmierte, kehrt zu seinem alten Namen und seinen Wurzeln zurück.