FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 18, 2008
	CONTACT: Jackie Hirschhaut (336) 884-5000 X116

Congress Moving Quickly on New Lead Regulation

HIGH POINT, N.C. – Legislation establishing new limits on lead in consumer products is moving swiftly through Congress and could be on the President’s desk as early as Labor Day.

Currently, consumer products are covered by federal regulations that limit the amount of lead in paint, as well as standards that limit lead in toys and vinyl products intended for children. Both the U.S. House and Senate versions of the legislation now under consideration would apply more stringent lead limits.

The new legislation primarily targets toys and jewelry intended for children, but also covers paints/coatings, plastics, electronics, batteries and textiles. It would apply to furniture coatings and any furniture intended for children’s use.

In light of this anticipated legislation and the issues surrounding lead found in other consumer products, the American Home Furnishings Alliance earlier this year conducted research on whether the use of lead-based pigments in home furnishings products might present a potential concern for the industry. Due to data already available regarding wood furniture coatings, the evaluation instead focused on the pigments used in leather, bonded leather, bicast and vinyl. Samples tested included materials finished in Europe, South America and China.

Following rigorous testing, the University of Cincinnati Leather Research Lab concluded that “even in the most extreme exposure circumstances,” a leather finish containing lead does not present a health or safety risk.

AHFA cautions that its research findings are based on limited testing. The alliance encourages companies to conduct independent testing and to communicate with their suppliers about the restrictions on lead in products produced for sale in the United States.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has determined that residential leather upholstered furniture intended for adult use is not covered under current regulation. Similarly, it is not covered in the new legislation as currently proposed.