The Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association expects to post a PowerPoint presentation on its web site early this week with information on how new and pending legislation regulating phthalates will impact the industry starting Jan. 1. More than 50 SGMA members participated in a conference call Monday to discuss the legal ramifications of new laws in California and Washington and a pending Congressional bill.


Phthalates refers to a series of chemicals used as plasticizers in a broad range of sporting goods and toys. They are widely used to soften synthetic leathers used in low-end or children’s baseball gloves, footballs, baseballs and soccer balls.


New legislation in California essentially bans the use of one group of phthalates known as “3Ps,” including DEHP, for use in children’s products. A bill pending before Congress adopts California’s DEHP provisions.  Most European countries already ban the use of DEHP in children’s products. Another phthalate being scrutinized is DINP, also referred to as a “6P” phthalate. Both DEHP and DINP are suspected of affecting the reproductive and endocrine systems. Similar concerns about bisphenol-A, or BPAs, prompted retailers across Canada and REI to pull polycarbonate bottles from their shelves last month. 


The phthalate legislation will likely result in some products being removed from shelves by retailers, some of whom are expected to adopt their own policies on the chemicals. Under pressure from consumer groups, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Toys R Us announced in March they would require toy suppliers to stop using phthalates. Other looming issues include whether products in transit or in production at the time the law goes into effect will be grandfathered.