The Consumer Product Safety Commission in the U.S. issued a guideline last week that exempts sporting goods from a federal ban on phthalates that took effect on Feb. 10. The only sporting goods products that will be subject to the ban are toy versions of sporting goods, i.e. a product intended for use by a child 12 years of age or younger. The ruling also exempts bicycles, playground equipment and musical instruments, as long as they are not aimed at children under the age of 13. The CPSC ruling is a major victory for the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association, which had been trying to get this language from the CPSC.

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