Canadaâ€s finalized amendments to product safety regulations will reduce or eliminate toxic flame retardants in tents, play tunnels and kids†bed canopies—but more action is needed to stop harmful chemical exposures
Toronto | Traditional territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishinaabeg, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat – We applaud Canadaâ€s decision to get highly harmful flame retardants out of the one million tents, play tunnels and childrenâ€s bed canopies sold each year. Our outdated chemicals regulations need to be updated to stop unnecessary toxic exposures. This is an important step towards safer, healthier kids and communities—but we canâ€t stop here. There is a large and growing need for federal action on the thousands of hazardous chemicals hiding in other everyday products, particularly those marketed at children.
Many of the textiles being addressed in todayâ€s announcement are made from plastic. The more we learn about whatâ€s in plastic products, the more we realize the urgent need to protect people from this toxic chemical soup. Thatâ€s why weâ€re urging the government to phase out toxic flame retardants and other harmful chemicals from plastics here in Canada and push for binding global rules on chemicals of concern at next weekâ€s Global Plastics Treaty negotiations.
Background:Â
- Canadaâ€s new Tents Regulations SOR/2024-217 can be viewed here.
- These regulations will result in these products having “a reduced need for flame retardant chemicals.â€
- There are approximately one million tent products sold annually in Canada, and this change will “reduce or eliminate the need for flame retardant chemicals in tent products,†including gazebos, canopies, play tents and tunnels, and bed tents.
- The Global Plastics Treaty negotiations resume on November 22nd in Busan, South Korea.
- The federal government must bring in stronger rules to get toxic chemicals out of plastic products.
ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENCE (environmentaldefence.ca): Environmental Defence is a leading Canadian environmental advocacy organization that works with government, industry and individuals to defend clean water, a safe climate and healthy communities.
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For more information or to request an interview, please contact:
Lauren Thomas, Environmental Defence, [email protected]
