California legislature continues to advance chemical bills

California’s Assembly and Senate have passed several bills dealing with chemicals in products ahead of a key legislative deadline.Under the California legislative calendar, 31 May is the ‘crossover’ deadline; that is, the last day for each of the state’s chambers to pass bills introduced in that house. And there has been a flurry of activity leading up to the cutoff date.On 23 May, the Senate approved two measures aimed at chemicals in products. The first (SB 392) would give the state’s Department of Toxic Substances Control increased authority to regulate products under the existing Safer Consumer Products programme. The second (SB 647) seeks to reduce lead content limits in jewellery.On the same day, the Assembly voted in favour of a bill (AB 161) directing businesses to offer printed receipts only at a customer’s request, citing concerns over BPA in thermal paper.