Post on 06-Mar-2018
Phasing out PFASs –Hazardous chemicals from a
furniture retailer’s perspective
Ralph Nussbaum, Ph.D.Product Requirements & ComplianceIKEA of Sweden, Älmhult, Sweden
PFAS WorkshopDepartment of Toxic Substances Control
Sacramento, CA31st of January, 2017
Älmhult
389 IKEA stores worldwide (FY16)
14 % 14 %
8 %7 %
5 %
Germany USA France UK Italy
Top selling countriesRetail sales per country as a percentage of total IKEA sales
25 %
19 %
8 %5 % 5 %
China Poland Italy Sweden Lithuania
Top purchasing countries
Chemistry teamTherese Lilliebladh, Team manager
Product development - IKEA Range & Design strategy
Democratic design
LÖVBACKENSide table
Concerns when establishing chemical requirements
• Customer health & safety
• Workingenvironment
• Outdoorenvironment
Requirements are based on
• Legislation, regulations & standards
• Scientific facts
• Customerexpectations
Basically all articles sold all over the world shall comply with the strictesthealth, safety and environmental requirements on any of the sales markets
More and more complex regulations
IKEA chemical strategycornerstones
• To minimize or totally refrain from using chemicals that can be harmful to people or environment
• We try to phase out potentially harmful chemicals already before they are regulated
Chemical strategy objectivesl strategy objectives1: Increased information on chemical content of ourproducts
2: All materials used in IKEA products are assessed for chemical safety
3: Phase out substances and materials that could cause harm
4: Our suppliers share ourvalues on chemical safety and complkiance
5: Build trust within IKEA, by increasing the awarenessamong co-workers, consumersand other key stakeholdersabout our work on chemicals
Some considerationswhen phasing outhazardous chemicals
1. Is the chemical reallyneeded? Is the particularproperty really needed?
2. If yes, can wedevelop/change the material (with no need for hazardous chemicals)?
3. May an alternative substance be used? Are the alternatives available reallymore safe? What data is available?
A phase-out example –Flame retardants in upholstery furniture NA
• Ban on brominated FRsince 2000
• Ban on all flame-retardants in upholsteryfurniture NA (2015)
• Launch of new interliner for upholstery furniture –No need for chemical FRs
Some major phase-outs and achievementsover the years
* exception for electrical articles
1993 – Formaldehyde banned in wood coatings
1996 – PVC phase-out*
1996 – Azodyes releasing carcenogenic arylamines banned in textiles/leather
2000 – All brominated flame retardants banned*
2005 – Cr-VI in chrome plating banned
2006 – Bisphenol A in plasic for children’s products (0-7 yrs) banned
2007 – Lead in metal fittings banned
2008 – Cr-VI in chromating/anodizing banned
2010 – Lead in mirror backings
2012 – Bisphenol A in food contact products banned
2015 – Mercury in light sources banned (replaced by LED)
2015 – Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) banned in textiles
Furniture and furnishingfor the many people
PFASsPoly- and perfluoroalkyl substances
IKEA specifiation IOS-MAT-0010:“organic compounds that contain one or more perfluoroalkylmoieties, –CnF2n+1 where n≥3”
PFASs in textil materials
Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in materials treated for oil, water and/or stain repellency.
PFASs are not allowed to be used.Contamination limit values for some specific substances:• Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS): 1 μg/m2
• Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA): 1 μg/m2
All requirements also apply to any salt or derivative of the respective compounds.
• 2009: Ban on PFOS, PFOA, PFOSA and theirderivatives. Approval required for all otheruse of PFASs.
• 2014: Most of the useof other PFASs on textile ended.
• 2015: Total ban on production of textileswith PFASs.
PFAS phase-out
Carpets and rugs -never anyuse of PFASs!
PFAS phase-out
Upholsteryproducts –very limiteduse of PFASswhich ceased>10 yearsago
PFAS phase-out
Shower curtains –water-repellencyis enough
PFAS phase-out
Umbrellas & rain ponchos –water-repellency is enough
Conclusion
“...no alternatives matching the PFAS-based repellents on all technical parameters are available. The alternatives provide durable water repellency, but no repellency against oil, oil-based dirt and alcohol.”
PFAS-free repellents(but not for ”oil-repellency”)
• Paraffin wax
• Fat-modified resins
• Silicone repellents(polysiloxanes)
• Dendrimer-basedrepellents
• Polyurethane repellent
PFAS phase-out
Metre fabric– taken outof the range
How to secureyour supply chain?
Supply chain control
• Identify IKEA chemical compliance requirements (material by material), and:– Identify documentation requirements including test
plans
• Communicate requirements along the supply chain
• Evaluate sub-suppliers and materials
• Secure process control in production
Risk sources of banned substances
• Direct use of the banned substance somewhere back up the supply chain
• Insufficient process control
• Contamination, e.g. from – Process equipment– Recycling
Testing to securecompliance
• Product development
• Verifying tests
• Audits
• Spot checks
• Testing after claims
It’s about the ...