Summary of the Impact of PFAS Regulations on Consumer Products
The landscape of consumer product manufacturing, distribution, and retailing is undergoing significant changes due to stringent regulations concerning the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in various products. These regulations affect a wide range of industries, with states rapidly enacting new laws that impose severe penalties and litigation risks for non-compliance. Staying informed about these evolving regulations is crucial for all stakeholders in the supply chain to mitigate potential legal repercussions and to ensure compliance with state and federal mandates.
In addition to state-level regulations, it is important to highlight that the House of Representatives approved the PFAS Action Act of 2021 on July 21, 2021. This legislation includes essential provisions related to labeling requirements for specific consumer products, addressing growing concerns about PFAS exposure (see section 10 of the Act for more information). Although the Senate’s approval is still pending, the movement towards federal regulation indicates a heightened awareness and urgency surrounding PFAS issues in consumer products.
Understanding PFAS: Key Facts and Concerns
PFAS encompasses a vast family of chemicals, estimated to include between 5,000 and 12,000 individual compounds, depending on the definitions used by regulators. According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), these substances have been detected in various consumer products, such as:
- Grease-resistant items like paper, fast food containers, microwave popcorn bags, pizza boxes, and candy wrappers;
- Nonstick cookware (for example, Teflon);
- Stain-resistant coatings applied to upholstery and other fabrics;
- Durable water-repellent clothing;
- Cleaning agents;
- Personal care items (including shampoos and dental floss) and cosmetics (such as nail polish and eye makeup);
- Paints, varnishes, and sealants.
Furthermore, organizations such as the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) emphasize that certain PFAS chemicals can accumulate in both human and animal bodies, primarily through ingestion via contaminated water and food sources. In response, various states have issued health advisories aimed at limiting the consumption of deer meat and fish tissue, underscoring the health risks associated with PFAS.
Overview of PFAS Regulations in Consumer Products by State
States across the U.S. have adopted a variety of approaches to regulate consumer products containing PFAS. These regulations primarily target specific product sectors, although it is important to note that these categories are not exhaustive. Current areas of focus include:
- Food Packaging;
- Cosmetics and Personal Care Products;
- Children’s Products;
- Textiles, Fabrics, Carpets, Rugs, and Upholstery;
- Consumption advisories for Fish Tissue and Deer Meat.
The following overview provides insights into the enacted and proposed state laws and regulations as of December 20, 2022, assisting businesses in evaluating how their products may be affected by these changes.
The accompanying chart outlines the specific product categories regulated in each state, while refraining from detailing the precise regulatory levels or requirements to prevent confusion, as these can differ significantly among states.
| State | Product Categories | Regulatory Status | Reference and Details |
| Alabama | Fish Consumption | Advisory | The Alabama Department of Health has issued limitations for fish consumption from one reservoir and two creeks |
| Alaska | Fish Consumption | Advisory | The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services has issued limitations for fish consumption in one lake |
| California | Proposition 65: All consumer products sold to California consumers may require warnings if these products contain PFOA, PFOS, PFOS salts and transformation and degradation precursors, and PFNA and its salts above safe harbor levels | Enacted | 27 CCR 27001 |
| Cosmetics | Enacted | AB 2762 | |
| Rugs and Carpets | Enacted | Regulation and DTSC Related Information | |
|
1) Cookware; and 2) Food Packaging |
Enacted | AB 1200 | |
|
Children’s Products |
Enacted | AB 652 | |
|
Recycling |
Enacted | SB 343 | |
|
Composting |
Enacted | AB 1201 | |
|
Textiles and Apparel |
Enacted | AB 1817 | |
|
Cosmetics (Additional) |
Enacted | AB 2771 | |
|
Treatments – Converted Textiles or Leather |
Enacted | Regulation and DTSC Related Information | |
| Colorado |
1) Carpets and Rugs; 2) Fabric Treatments; 3) Food Packaging; 4) Children’s Products; 5) Oil and Gas Products; 6) Cookware – certain labelling requirements; 7) Cosmetics; 8) Indoor and Outdoor Textile Furnishings; and 9) Indoor and Outdoor Upholstered Furniture |
Enacted | HB22-1345 |
| Connecticut |
Food Packaging |
Enacted | Public Act No. 21-191 |
|
Fish Consumption |
Advisory | The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has issued an Advisory for fish consumption in numerous locations | |
| Georgia |
1) Food Packaging; and 2) Children’s Products |
Proposed | HB 1629 |
| Hawaii |
Food Packaging |
Enacted | HB 1644 |
|
Recycling |
Proposed | HB 1646 | |
| Indiana |
Fish Consumption |
Advisory | Three state agencies have issued limitations for fish consumption from rivers, streams, and lakes for various contaminants, including PFOS substances |
| Iowa |
Food Packaging |
Proposed | HF 2063 |
| Maine |
PFOS as a “Priority Chemical” in Children’s Products |
Enacted | 38 M.S.R.A. 1693-A(1), 06-096 Chapter 890 |
|
Food Packaging |
Enacted | 32 M.S.R.A. 26A.1731-1738 | |
|
Pesticides |
Enacted | LD 264 and LD 2019 | |
|
Carpets, Rugs, and Fabric Treatments |
Enacted | 38 M.S.R.A. 16 §1614 | |
|
Prohibiting PFAS in All Products by 2030 Note: Some requirements begin on January 1, 2023 |
Enacted | 38 M.S.R.A. 16 §1614 | |
|
Fish Consumption |
Advisory | Remedial Action Guidelines for Certain Types of Fish (pg. 66) and the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Fish Consumption Advisory | |
|
Deer Restrictions |
Advisory | One “do not eat” restriction has been issued for a certain five-mile area | |
| Fertilizer and Compost | Enacted | LD 1911 | |
| Maryland |
Cosmetics |
Enacted | HB 643 |
|
1) Food Packaging; and 2) Rugs and Carpets |
Enacted | SB 273 | |
|
Fish Consumption |
Advisory | The Maryland Department of the Environment has issued limitations for fish consumption in one creek for PFOS substances | |
|
Pesticides |
Proposed | HB 570 | |
|
Recycling |
Proposed | HB 700 | |
| Massachusetts |
Fish Consumption |
Advisory | The Massachusetts Department of the Environment has issued limitations for fish consumption in five ponds and one lake |
|
Food Packaging |
Proposed | S 2893 | |
|
Mosquito Management |
Proposed | S 556 | |
|
1) Child Passenger Restraints; 2) Cookware; 3) Fabric Treatments; 4) Personal Care Products; 5) Rugs and Carpets; 6) Upholstered Furniture; and 7) Children’s Products |
Proposed | H 4818 | |
| Michigan |
Fish Consumption |
Advisory | The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has issued limitations for fish consumption depending on the specific location |
|
Deer Restrictions |
Advisory | One “do not eat” restriction has been issued for a certain three-mile area | |
|
Labeling of Consumer Products Containing PFAS Substances |
Proposed | SB 0217 | |
|
Food Packaging |
Proposed | HB 5250 | |
| Minnesota |
Food Packaging |
Enacted | Minn. Stat. § 325F.075 |
|
Fish Consumption |
Advisory | The Minnesota Department of Health has issued limitations for fish consumption from certain bodies of water | |
|
Food Packaging (Additional) |
Proposed | HF 79 | |
|
Composting |
Proposed | HF 630 | |
|
Prohibit PFAS Substances in Cannabis Packaging |
Enacted | HF 600 | |
|
Cookware |
Proposed | HF 2907 | |
|
Cosmetics |
Proposed | HF 2906 | |
|
Ski Wax |
Proposed | HF 2952 | |
|
Disclosure of Consumer Products Containing PFAS Substances |
Proposed | HF 3075 | |
|
Clothing and Apparel |
Proposed | HF 3076 | |
|
Children’s Products |
Proposed | HF 3571 | |
|
Rugs, Carpets, and Textiles |
Proposed | HF 3180 | |
|
PFAS Funding, PFAS Disclosures or Notifications, and PFAS in the following products: 1) Carpets and Rugs; 2) Fabric Treatments; 3) Upholstered Furniture; 4) Textile Furnishings; 5) Cookware; 6) Cosmetics; and 7) Ski Wax |
Proposed | HF 4492 | |
| New Hampshire |
Fish Consumption |
Advisory | The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services has issued limitations for fish consumption from five lakes |
|
1) Disclosure of Consumer Products containing PFAS Substances; 2) Carpets, Rugs, and Fabric Treatments; and 3) Prohibiting PFAS in All Products by 2030 |
Proposed | HB 1589 | |
|
Labels on Specific Products Containing PFAS |
Proposed | HB 1422 | |
| New Jersey |
Fish Consumption |
Advisory | The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has issued limits for fish consumption for the high-risk and general populations (See pg. 9) |
|
Labelling for Products Containing PFAS, and Prohibiting PFAS in Various Products: 1) Cosmetics; 2) Carpets or Fabric Treatments; 3) Food Packaging; and 4) Cookware |
Proposed | S 3177 | |
|
Recycling |
Proposed | A 1554 | |
| New York |
Children’s Products |
Enacted | S 501B |
|
Food Packaging |
Enacted | N.Y. Environmental Conservation Law § 37-0209 | |
|
Fish Consumption |
Advisory | The New York State Department of Health has issued limitations for fish consumption from multiple waterways in one region | |
|
Carpets |
Proposed | S 5027 | |
|
Apparel |
Proposed | S 6291 | |
|
General Packaging |
Proposed | A 10185 | |
|
Anti-Fogging Sprays and Wipes |
Proposed | S 8188 | |
|
Cosmetics/Personal Care Products |
Proposed | S 8364 | |
|
Prevent Incineration of PFAS Substances |
Proposed | A 10081 | |
|
Feminine Hygiene Products |
Proposed | S 9379 | |
|
1) Cleaning Products; 2) Air Care Products; 3) Automotive Products; 4) Cookware; 5) Fabric Treatments; 6) Rugs; 7) Ski Wax; 8) Textiles and Textile Articles; 9) Outdoor Apparel; 10) Architectural Paints; 11) Personal Protective Equipment; 12) Polishes or Floor Products; |
Proposed | A 10620 | |
|
Prohibiting PFAS in All Products by 2030, and Prohibiting PFAS in the Following Products: 1) Carpets and Rugs; 2) Cookware; 3) Cosmetics; 4) Fabric Treatments; and 5) Personal Care Products |
Proposed | A 8491 | |
| North Carolina |
Use and Manufacturing |
Proposed | SB 638 |
|
General Packaging |
Proposed | HB 1113 | |
| Oregon |
Children’s Products |
Enacted | Toxic Free Kids Act: 431A.250 et al. |
|
Fish Consumption |
Advisory | The Oregon Health Authority has issued guidelines recommending limitations for fish consumption depending on the specific location due to various contaminants, including PFOS substances | |
| Pennsylvania |
Food Packaging |
Proposed | HB 1965 |
| Rhode Island |
Food Packaging |
Enacted | S 2044 |
|
Food Packaging and Warning Labels for Clothing or Carpeting |
Proposed | S 2049 | |
|
1) Rugs and Carpets; 2) Fabric Treatments; 3) Upholstered Furniture; 4) Textiles; 5) Apparel; 6) Cosmetics; 7) Children’s Products; and 8) Cookware |
Proposed | H 7436 | |
| Vermont |
Children’s Products |
Enacted | 18 V.S.A. 1773 |
|
Food Packaging |
Enacted | 18 V.S.A. 1672 | |
|
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