Daily News
From Home Furnishing Business
Petition Against Calif. Smolder Standard Denied
September 8,
2014 by in Industry, Legal 
A California judge on Friday denied a petition from chemicals manufacturer Chemtura to strike down the state's new smolder standard for furniture.
Judge Michael Kenny of Sacramento County Superior Court ruled to deny Chemtura's petition, and uphold the TB 117-2013 smolder standard for furniture promulgated by the Bureau of Electronic Appliance Repair, Home Furnishings and Thermal Insulation, a subunit of the Department of Consumer Affairs.
The practical effect of this ruling allows furniture manufacturers to abandon use of additive flame retardant chemicals in upholstered furniture should they so choose.
The ruling allows the furniture industry to continue unimpeded to meet the Jan. 1 mandatory compliance deadline for the new testing standard.
Kenny ruled that Chemtura has not proven that TB 117-2013 violates California Business and Professions Code section 19161.