In late 2021, the Washington State Department of Ecology submitted a draft regulatory decision to the state legislature that proposed restrictions on Organohalogen Flame Retardants (OFR) used in plastic housings of electrical and electronic products.  The products covered include but are not limited to TV sets, laptop computers, mobile phones, kitchen appliances, washing machines, irons and hair dryers.  The draft is currently in an open period for comments until Jan 28, 2022.  

 In order to meet the safety requirements of products, manufacturers use organic halogen-based flame retardants according to the properties, characteristics, uses and fire hazards of products, and have met the target of the European Union for the control of harmful substances.  At present, whether the replacement of organic halogen-based flame retardants can achieve the goal of "safer" remains to be studied.  Once the draft becomes a law, it will bring risks to the supply chain control of Chinese electronics manufacturers exporting to the United States and greatly increase the cost of raw materials.