Phasing out PFASs –Hazardous chemicals from a

furniture retailer’s perspective

Ralph Nussbaum, Ph.D.Product Requirements & ComplianceIKEA of Sweden, Älmhult, Sweden

PFAS WorkshopDepartment of Toxic Substances Control

Sacramento, CA31st of January, 2017

Älmhult

389 IKEA stores worldwide (FY16)

14 % 14 %

8 %7 %

5 %

Germany USA France UK Italy

Top selling countriesRetail sales per country as a percentage of total IKEA sales

25 %

19 %

8 %5 % 5 %

China Poland Italy Sweden Lithuania

Top purchasing countries

Chemistry teamTherese Lilliebladh, Team manager

Product development - IKEA Range & Design strategy

Democratic design

LÖVBACKENSide table

Concerns when establishing chemical requirements

• Customer health & safety

• Workingenvironment

• Outdoorenvironment

Requirements are based on

• Legislation, regulations & standards

• Scientific facts

• Customerexpectations

Basically all articles sold all over the world shall comply with the strictesthealth, safety and environmental requirements on any of the sales markets

More and more complex regulations

IKEA chemical strategycornerstones

• To minimize or totally refrain from using chemicals that can be harmful to people or environment

• We try to phase out potentially harmful chemicals already before they are regulated

Chemical strategy objectivesl strategy objectives1: Increased information on chemical content of ourproducts

2: All materials used in IKEA products are assessed for chemical safety

3: Phase out substances and materials that could cause harm

4: Our suppliers share ourvalues on chemical safety and complkiance

5: Build trust within IKEA, by increasing the awarenessamong co-workers, consumersand other key stakeholdersabout our work on chemicals

Some considerationswhen phasing outhazardous chemicals

1. Is the chemical reallyneeded? Is the particularproperty really needed?

2. If yes, can wedevelop/change the material (with no need for hazardous chemicals)?

3. May an alternative substance be used? Are the alternatives available reallymore safe? What data is available?

A phase-out example –Flame retardants in upholstery furniture NA

• Ban on brominated FRsince 2000

• Ban on all flame-retardants in upholsteryfurniture NA (2015)

• Launch of new interliner for upholstery furniture –No need for chemical FRs

Some major phase-outs and achievementsover the years

* exception for electrical articles

1993 – Formaldehyde banned in wood coatings

1996 – PVC phase-out*

1996 – Azodyes releasing carcenogenic arylamines banned in textiles/leather

2000 – All brominated flame retardants banned*

2005 – Cr-VI in chrome plating banned

2006 – Bisphenol A in plasic for children’s products (0-7 yrs) banned

2007 – Lead in metal fittings banned

2008 – Cr-VI in chromating/anodizing banned

2010 – Lead in mirror backings

2012 – Bisphenol A in food contact products banned

2015 – Mercury in light sources banned (replaced by LED)

2015 – Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) banned in textiles

Furniture and furnishingfor the many people

PFASsPoly- and perfluoroalkyl substances

IKEA specifiation IOS-MAT-0010:“organic compounds that contain one or more perfluoroalkylmoieties, –CnF2n+1 where n≥3”

PFASs in textil materials

Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in materials treated for oil, water and/or stain repellency.

PFASs are not allowed to be used.Contamination limit values for some specific substances:• Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS): 1 μg/m2

• Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA): 1 μg/m2

All requirements also apply to any salt or derivative of the respective compounds.

• 2009: Ban on PFOS, PFOA, PFOSA and theirderivatives. Approval required for all otheruse of PFASs.

• 2014: Most of the useof other PFASs on textile ended.

• 2015: Total ban on production of textileswith PFASs.

PFAS phase-out

Carpets and rugs -never anyuse of PFASs!

PFAS phase-out

Upholsteryproducts –very limiteduse of PFASswhich ceased>10 yearsago

PFAS phase-out

Shower curtains –water-repellencyis enough

PFAS phase-out

Umbrellas & rain ponchos –water-repellency is enough

Conclusion

“...no alternatives matching the PFAS-based repellents on all technical parameters are available. The alternatives provide durable water repellency, but no repellency against oil, oil-based dirt and alcohol.”

PFAS-free repellents(but not for ”oil-repellency”)

• Paraffin wax

• Fat-modified resins

• Silicone repellents(polysiloxanes)

• Dendrimer-basedrepellents

• Polyurethane repellent

PFAS phase-out

Metre fabric– taken outof the range

How to secureyour supply chain?

Supply chain control

• Identify IKEA chemical compliance requirements (material by material), and:– Identify documentation requirements including test

plans

• Communicate requirements along the supply chain

• Evaluate sub-suppliers and materials

• Secure process control in production

Risk sources of banned substances

• Direct use of the banned substance somewhere back up the supply chain

• Insufficient process control

• Contamination, e.g. from – Process equipment– Recycling

Testing to securecompliance

• Product development

• Verifying tests

• Audits

• Spot checks

• Testing after claims

It’s about the ...