Plasticisers in plastics and upholstery materials - Core
Level:
Phthalates are used as plasticisers in plastics and upholstery materials, several phthalates are suspected to be endocrine disruptors.
Details
- Type:
- Award criteria
- ID:
- 11021:1
- Group:
- Furniture
- Swedish:
Criterion text
- Points are awarded if tendered products contain padding material in which none of the following is added1 in the padding material2.
- halogenated organic compounds (including chlorinated polymers). For example, organic chlorinated paraffins, fluorine compounds, and organic whiteners.
- Bisphenol A compounds
- alkylphenols, alkylphenol ethoxylates or other alkylphenol derivatives3
- pigments and additives based on tin, chromium VI and mercury and compounds of these.
- compounds classified, in EU binding classification or in self-classification, with the following hazard statements according to the CLP Regulation (1272/2008)4:
| Classification according to Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 on classification, labelling and packaging | |
| Hazard class | Hazard statement |
| Carcinogenic | H3505 |
| Mutagenic | H340 |
| Toxic for reproduction | H3605 |
- Points are awarded if tendered products contain padding material in which dyes are used only to distinguish between different qualities (e.g. hard and soft foam) within the same type of padding/stuffing material, or if the padding material is visible and is used without anything over it.
- Points are awarded if tendered products contain padding material in which metal complex dyes and dyes classified with the following risk phrases and hazard statements according to the CLP Regulation4 are not constituents6:
| Classification according to Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 on classification, labelling and packaging | |
| Hazard class | Hazard statement |
| Acute toxicity (categories 1-3) | H300, H301, H310, H311, H330, H331 |
| Specific target organ toxicity - single exposure (category 1) | H3707 |
| Specific target organ toxicity - repeated exposure (category 1) | H3727 |
| Hazardous to the aquatic environment | H400, H410, H411 |
- Points are awarded if tendered products contain padding material in which the formaldehyde concentration in the padding/stuffing material does not exceed 20 ppm in accordance with EN ISO 14184-1 or an equivalent method approved by Nordic Ecolabelling. Alternatively, the formaldehyde emission does not exceed 0.005 mg/m3 measured in a climate chamber in accordance with ENV 13419-1.
1Additives include all substances in the product, including additive agents (e.g. pigments) in the ingredients, but not contaminants from raw material production. Contaminants include residues from the production of the raw materials contained in the finished product in concentrations below 100 ppm (0.01 weight%, 100 mg/kg), but not substances that intentionally and for a particular purpose have been added to a raw material, regardless of quantity.
2Exceptios are given to producers of mattresses and padded furniture for adhesives with additives containing polychloroprene, if the emission of the rest monomer chloroprene (2-chloro-1,3-butadiene) is ≤1 µg/m³ after 3 days measured with the chamber method EN ISO 16000. The exemption is valid until 30 June 2016. The exemption is not valid for mattresses designed for children.
3Alkylphenol derivatives are defined as substances that are shed from alkylphenols during degradation.
4Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures, amending and repealing Directives 67/548/EEC and 1999/45/EC, and amending Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006.
5If it has been definitely proved that the hazard cannot be caused by any other routes of exposure, the route of exposure in question can be stated as a part of the hazard statement. For reproduction toxicity, the type of effect shall have been specified, if this is known (the effect on fertility or foetal development). One or two letters after the hazard statement indicate the route of exposure (for example, H350i - May cause cancer by inhalation) and/or the type of effect. All additional codes are included in the criteria.
6Constituent substances include all substances in a product, including contaminants in the substances or raw materials. Contaminants include reaction/by-products and breakdown products at levels above 0.01% (corresponds to 100 ppm). Constituent substances also include, regardless of level, additives that have been intentionally added to achieve a particular function, e.g. preservation or stabilisation of the substances or raw materials.
7As a part of hazard statements H370 and H372, the organs affected can be indicated, if this is known.
Verification
- Certification schemes that fulfil the requirement, for example a licence in accordance with the Nordic Ecolabelling criteria for furniture and fitments
- Technical documentation from the manufacturer demonstrating that the requirement is fulfilled.
Information about the criterion
There are currently no accredited verification bodies according to ISO/IEC 17029 (Conformity Assessment – General Principles and Requirements for Validation and Verification Bodies), as it is a relatively new standard. However, this may change, especially if the demand to verify compliance in this way increases. This possibility is therefore included in the list of possible evidence. More information about the standard can be found on Swedac's website.
If the requirements are fulfilled, points or price reductions, for example, are awarded depending on the evaluation model selected.
Note that the requirement that additives may not be classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction also covers dyes. Dyes shall thus fulfil both the requirement on additives and the requirement on dyes.
Environmental goals
Motive
Many padding materials can contain substances that are hazardous to the environment and health. These substances can be emitted to the environment and be absorbed by the body.
Halogenated organic compounds contain one of the halogens chlorine, bromine, fluorine or iodine. They are often stable and thus difficult to break down. They can remain in the fat tissue of organisms and can thus be passed up the food chain.
Bisphenol A is a hormone-like synthetic chemical used for manufacturing, e.g. epoxy plastic and polycarbonate plastic. It can be used as a stabiliser in plastic. Bisphenol A can have a hormone-disrupting effect in humans. Children are particularly sensitive to hormone-disrupting effects, and substances that have these properties therefore need to be minimised in our everyday lives. Bisphenol A is classed as being suspected toxic for reproduction, that is, a substance suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child. Stricter classification is expected to enter into force in 2016, which means that Bisphenol A might be added to the candidate list in REACH Article 59 of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals). The requirement is based on the precautionary principle, since it is unclear which concentrations have an effect on human health.
Alkylphenols are used as additives in polymer materials. They are antioxidants that protect the material against decomposition by means of the polymers' reaction with oxygen in the air. Alkylphenols are not chemically bound but can emit from the material. They are persistent and bioaccumulative and can have long-term effects in the environment.
Tin compounds are used, among other things, as stabilisers in plastic. Organic tin compounds are very toxic to aquatic life. Organic tin compounds are regulated in REACH Annex XVII. Hexavalent chromium is sensitising and, by inhalation, carcinogenic. Mercury is one of the most dangerous known environmental toxins and poses a threat to both the environment and humans. It is intact for a long time and accumulates in soil, water and living organisms. Mercury affects the nervous system, the cardiovascular system, the immune system, the reproductive system and the kidneys. Sweden has a general ban on mercury under Ordinance 1998:994. Work is in progress to limit emissions globally.
Formaldehyde is a volatile substance that can be emitted from the material. It is classed as a suspected carcinogen (CAS 50-00-0, hazard statement H351) and sensitising.
Versions history
The version date indicates when the sustainability criterion was created or last updated. Last reviewed dated tells when we last checked that the sustainability criterion still is relevant.
- Current ID
- 11021:1
- Version date
- 2021-12-13