The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has added Decabromodiphenyl ether (DecaBDE) to its listed of restricted chemicals according to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). As of March 8, 2021, products containing this chemical can no longer be manufactured or sold in the United States.
DecaBDE is a flame retardant used in many products, including televisions, computers, and upholstered articles. It is also used in textiles, such as Avila Twilight, a blackout roller shade fabric from Mermet USA.
Due to the EPA ruling on this FR chemical, effective March 8, 2021, Mermet will stop distribution of Avila Twilight FR in the United States.
In response to the ruling, Draper has immediately ceased the use of Avila Twilight FR in our shade production.
In a letter announcing the move, Mermet included the following statement:
“Mermet recently requested that the EPA provide guidance on the March 8th ruling in order to allow Mermet to continue offering its customers the current version of Avila Twilight FR for a short time period while alternatives are developed. The outcome of this request, and any additional availability of the fabric will be announced as soon as it is available.”
Mermet is also hard at work developing a Deca BDE-free version of Avila Twilight FR which will be available in the next few months.
In the meantime, if you are a Draper dealer with orders for this fabric currently in our system, please contact your Draper representative. Draper offers a wide variety of flame-retardant shade fabrics, including some that are inherently flame retardant.
