Bill Text: NJ ACR91 | 2012-2013 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Respectfully urges Congress to enact legislation banning phthalates and bisphenol A from children's products.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-01-10 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Consumer Affairs Committee [ACR91 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2012-ACR91-Introduced.html
ASSEMBLY CONCURRENT RESOLUTION No. 91
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
215th LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2012 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman DANIEL R. BENSON
District 14 (Mercer and Middlesex)
Assemblywoman CONNIE WAGNER
District 38 (Bergen and Passaic)
SYNOPSIS
Respectfully urges Congress to enact legislation banning phthalates and bisphenol A from children's products.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel
A Concurrent Resolution respectfully urging Congress to enact legislation banning phthalates and bisphenol A in children's products.
Whereas, Phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA) are hazardous toxins that can have adverse effects on humans and animals and are found in many plastics, food and drink packaging, baby bottles, teething devices, toys, and other child care articles, and children and babies are exposed to these products on a regular basis; and
Whereas, There is substantial evidence that BPA has been shown to have hormone disrupting effects, that virtually everyone carries some level of phthalates in their body, and that high levels of exposure to phthalates may pose a hazard to reproduction and to the health and welfare of children; and
Whereas, The United States Environmental Protection Agency classifies bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, also known as diethylhexyl phthalate or DEHP, as a Group B2 probable human carcinogen and added diisononyl phthalate (DINP) to the list of toxic chemicals subject to reporting requirements of section 313 of the federal "Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986," 42 U.S.C. s.11023, and section 6607 of the federal "Pollution Prevention Act of 1990," 42 U.S.C. s.13106, based upon the carcinogenicity of DINP and liver, kidney, and developmental toxicity; and
Whereas, A number of states have banned, or introduced legislation banning, the sale, manufacturing, and distribution of toys, child care articles, baby bottles, and food containers made with phthalates or BPA, but comprehensive federal legislation is needed to create a national standard for manufacturers, retailers, and other distributors; and
Whereas, The European Union recently enacted a ban on baby bottles containing BPA, which is set to begin in 2011; and
Whereas, The increasing public concern over products containing BPA and phthalates has led many companies to voluntarily limit the use of these toxic chemicals, or in some cases, completely remove BPA from children's products, baby bottles, and reusable water bottles; and
Whereas, It is altogether fitting and proper and in the public interest for this Legislature to respectfully urge the United States Congress to enact legislation banning phthalates and bisphenol A from children's products; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey (the Senate concurring):
1. The United States Congress is respectfully urged to enact legislation banning phthalates and bisphenol A from children's products.
2. Duly authenticated copies of this concurrent resolution, signed by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the General Assembly and attested by the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the General Assembly, shall be transmitted to the President and Vice President of the United States, the Majority and Minority Leaders of the United States Senate, the Speaker and Majority and Minority Leaders of the United States House of Representatives, and each member of the United States Congress elected from this State.
STATEMENT
This concurrent resolution respectfully urges the United States Congress to enact legislation banning phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA) from children's products.
A number of states have banned, or introduced legislation banning, the sale, manufacturing, and distribution of toys, child care articles, baby bottles, and food containers made with phthalates or BPA, but federal legislation is needed to create a national standard for manufacturers, retailers, and other distributors in order to respect interstate commerce and nationally promote safer children's products. Recently, the European Union enacted a ban on baby bottles containing BPA, which is set to begin in 2011. Growing public concern has also led many companies to voluntarily limit the use of these toxic chemicals, and in some cases, completely remove BPA from children's products, baby bottles, and reusable water bottles.
