All these ignorant comments are hilarious... The EPA has no ties to any manufacture of anything, they are not making a dime when something such as a new fuel can is made. If there was some brother or friend behind it still does not earn the EPA one single penny for them applying the laws.
It's simple, fuel was being wasted and spilled all over the ground, we are all guilty of it at some point or another. Hell I seem to spill more now with these silly ass cans then I ever did with the old ones.
Boils down to soil samples, testing, observation. I'm sure for some folks that have sensitive skin may have spilt some fuel on themselves accidental and would up in the hospital with chemical burns. Soooo medical records and documents helped in the decision.
If you really think the EPA and the many many portable fuel can manufactures are in cahoots together then your an idiot!
I do recall watching a show where someone took fuel cans out on a boat to refill the tank as needed, and was pissed as hell about the cans blabbering about govt mandate. Though I have not personally researched if they are mandated, I do recall Blitz getting sued out of business for the standard 'rear removable vent' gas cans that we are all familiar, and try to make the new gas cans like.
Either way, if all MFG'rs are going to the so called safety design because one can be sued out of business when a moron misuses a gas can, this is still because of the Gov having its head square up its rectum. There are several industries that need tort reform to ensure they're not put out of business by a handful of ambulance chasers.
We need the "Darwin Act" already. There are just those morons out there who always seem to find the most ridiculous way to hurt themselves outside of any foreseeable warning one could ever come up with.
We as citizens and business owners need to be protected from people who would try and use a hair dryer in the shower, maybe suck dirt out of their eye with a vacuum, or even yes, pour gasoline on a fire out of a gas can full of gas.
You can't fix stupid, and I've yet to see any curriculum try to teach common sense.