In 2008, Washington's Legislature passed the Children's Safe Products Act (or CSPA) (Chapter 70A.430 RCW). This law applies to children’s products sold in Washington state. Washington’s laws apply to a broader range of consumer products than those covered by federal limits.
CSPA does the following:
The law defines children’s products as those that fall under these six main categories:
The law also defines what is not included as a children’s product (e.g., video toys, bicycles, certain sporting equipment, and chemistry sets).
CSPA limits or bans the use of certain chemicals due to their potential health risks, especially to children. These chemicals are also on our list of priority toxic chemicals due to their harmful impacts on the environment and wildlife.
Cadmium is a heavy metal that is made when refining zinc ore. It is used in pigments for plastics, ceramic, glass, and enamels. It is also used as a stabilizer for polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and in alloys and coatings on steel and other metals.
Health impacts due to exposure to cadmium and cadmium components can result in:
Flame retardants are a group of chemicals that manufacturers add to products such as foam, plastics, textiles, and others to meet flammability standards. Some of these chemicals pose health risks as well as impacts on the environment:
Lead is both a naturally-occurring metal and a highly toxic chemical to people and wildlife. It can cause many different types of health problems, but children are more vulnerable than adults to the toxic effects of lead.
The main concern for children is the effect lead has on brain development. Lead is known to cause damage to the brain and nervous system resulting in:
In adults, lead exposure can lead to:
Lead has been used in products such as paint, ceramics, solders, batteries, cosmetics and plastic such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
Phthalates are a group of chemicals that can be used to make plastics more flexible, and as solvents and fixatives, such as to extend the life of scents in fragrances.
Some can cause the following health and environmental issues:
We monitor the market by conducting product testing studies. We have initiated over 20 product testing studies on products such as children’s clothing, jewelry, cosmetics, toys, bottles, bedding, furniture, and more. As a result of our product testing efforts, we have issued over 150 compliance letters to manufacturers.
We develop studies that focus on priority toxic chemicals, popular products, underrepresented or more susceptible populations, and manufacturers with previous violations. Some of our studies include the following:
Most enforcement actions have specific deadlines that manufacturers need to respond by. Failure to respond by the deadline reduces the opportunity to contest the enforcement action.
Washington’s laws apply to a broader range of children’s products than those covered by federal limits on cadmium and phthalates, but federal lead limits apply to nearly all children’s products as defined by Washington law.
Concerned about toxic chemicals in other products?Our Safer Products for Washington program works to make consumer products safer. Learn more about:
Go to our Safer Products for Washington resources page for information and safety tips.
Susie Bautista
Children’s Safe Products Lead
cspareporting@ecy.wa.gov
360-584-3456
