Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the risks to the neurological development of (1) foetuses, and (2) new-born children, of exposure to polyurethane mattresses treated with chlorinated phosphate flame retardants.

The Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment has considered the evidence on the potential effects of chlorinated and non-chlorinated phosphate flame retardants from all exposure sources, in general. The Committee is preparing a statement on phosphate-based flame retardants and the potential for neurodevelopmental toxicity. It is expected that the statement will be published in summer 2019.

Chlorinated organophosphorous flame retardants are regulated under the European Union REACH (Restriction, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) regime. The United Kingdom has been proactive in supporting the regulation of flame retardants through REACH. The European Chemicals Agency has announced an intention to restrict a number of chlorinated flame retardants. It is expected that the restriction proposal will be submitted in July 2019, followed by a public consultation.