Last Updated:	2007-12-09
Group:	flame retardants
Report Contents
-   Restricted Substances -   Full Report -   Exemptions -   Key Documents -   Other Documents -   Contacts -   Revision History

Introduction

In 2007, Maine adopted Public Law 296, “An Act to Protect Pregnant Women and Children from Toxic Chemicals Released into the Home,” which expanded the existing law restricting the sale and distribution of new products containing certain mixtures of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs).

Defined Restrictions:
The 2007 amendments lower the permitted concentration of “penta” or “octa” mixtures of PBDEs in new products from 1% to 0.1%. New products may not be sold or distributed containing more than 0.1% of the “penta” or “octa” mixtures of PBDEs. The 2007 amendments also extend the restrictions to the “deca” mixture of PBDEs for several categories of products. Effective January 1, 2010, the manufacture or sale of a television or computer that has a plastic housing containing the deca mixture of PBDEs will be prohibited.