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PFAS CHEMICALS RESTRICTIONS MAY IMPACT YOUR PRODUCTS

PFAS Compliance

Over the past years, lawmakers have been publishing new environmental regulations to target specific issues. Such laws vary from one jurisdiction to another, depending on public concern and impacts on the environment. Various hazardous chemicals constitute a risk of exposure to product consumers. The PFAS chemicals is one of them.

US States with PFAS Control in Products

State

Law

Prohibition Date

Scope

Alabama

Limitation for fish consumption from 1 reservoir and 2 creeks

Advisory

PFOS and fish consumption

Alaska

Limitation for fish consumption in Kimberly Lake

Advisory

Fish consumption

California

AB 1423


AB 652


AB 1200


AB 1201


AB 2762

AB 2771, AB 496


SB 1266

AB 1817





AB 246


California Proposition 65





SB 343



Regulation, DTSC (Department of Toxic Substances Control) Related Information


AB 347

January 1, 2026


July 1, 2023


January 1st, 2024


January 1st, 2024


January 1, 2025



January 1, 2025






January 1, 2025


December 24, 2021, for PFOS

February 25, 2022, for PFOA


January 1, 2024



April 1, 2022




January 1, 2025

Artificial turf


Children’s products


Cookware and food packaging


Compostable packaging


Cosmetics



Childern's feeding, uscking, and teething products

Other children products

Food packaging

Textile


Menstrual products


Products sold to California





Packaging with PFAS is considered are non-recyclable


Rugs and carpets treatments – converted textiles or leather



Textiles and apparel

Colorado

SB 81













HB22-1345










SB 81

July 1st, 2024


January 1st, 2025











January 1st, 2024 – January 1, 2027









January 1st, 2032

Artificial turfs


Cleaning products

Dental floss

Furnishings and upholstered furniture

Outdoor clothing suitable for extreme weather conditions (with possible label until 2028)

Menstruation products

Ski wax

Textile articles


Carpets

Children’s products

Cookware with possible labelling requirements

Cosmetics

Fabric treatments - Indoor textile

Food packaging (fibers)

Oil and gas products

Rugs


Any products

Connecticut

Public Act No. 21-191

Connecticut Department of Public Health has issued limitations for fish consumption in numerous locations.

June 15, 2023

October 1, 2021

Fish consumption

Food packaging


Georgia

HB 257

HB 390

Proposed

Feminine products

Cosmetics

Hawaii

HB1644



HB 1896

SB 2427

July 1, 2024

December 31st, 2024


December 31, 2026

Class B firefighting foams

Food packaging (fibers)


Cosmetics

Food service ware (single use)

Personal care products

Illinois

SB 0088

HB 1282

SB 0066


SB 2705














HB 4627 and SB 2705

Proposed




January 1, 2025














As of July 1st, 2026, and on July 1st annually thereafter until January 1st, 2032

Apparel

Oil and gas products

Recycling


Carpets or rugs

Cleaning products

Compostable products

Cookware

Cosmetics

Dental floss

Fabric treatments

Food packaging

Juvenile products

Upholstered furniture and textile furnishings - indoor and outdoor

Ski wax


All products and components (PFAS notifications)

Indiana

Limitation for fish consumption from rivers, streams, and lakes for PFOS substances.

Advisory

Fish consumption

Iowa

HF 62

Proposed

Food packaging

Kentucky

HB 116

From January 1, 2025, and on every subsequent January 1 thereafter.

Any product (PFAS notification)


Maine

LD 217 and LD 1503 (LD 1537 and 38 M.S.R.A. 16 §1614)


38 M.S.R.A. §1693-A(1), 06-096 Chapter 890

LD 1911


32 M.S.R.A. §26A.1731-1738

LD 264, LD 2019

Proposed


January 1, 2023

July 28, 2020


January 1, 2023

Advisory

January 1, 2022

January 1, 2030

Written notification, then ban in 2030 in all consumer products

Carpets, rugs, and fabric

Children’s products


Composting and fertilizer

Fish consumption

Food packaging

Pesticides

Maryland

HB 275 and SB 273


HB 643

Limitation for fish consumption in Piscataway Creek

SB 0158

HB 31

January 1st, 2024


January 1st, 2025

Advisory


June 1, 2023

Proposed

Carpets and rugs

Food packaging (fibers)

Cosmetics

Fish Consumption


Pesticides

Recycling

Massachussetts

S 524


H 2197




S 175


H 779



Limitation for fish consumption in 13 state parks


S 39


S 1431, H 3676, and H 767


S 445


S 2564

Proposed











February 2023



Proposed


Proposed




Proposed






Artificial turf


Declaration, then prohibition of PFAS in:

  • Carpets and rugs
  • Cookware
  • Fabric treatments
  • Packaging and recycling
  • Passenger restraints
  • Personal care products
  • Upholstered furniture


Fish consumption



Fertilizer


Food packaging


Mosquito management


Children's product, which encompass:

  • Products intended for children aged 12 or younger
  • Synthetic turf fields located on school and publicly owned premises, or designated for use by individuals under the age of 18

Michigan

MDHHS 'do not eat' restriction in losco County


Limitation for fish consumption in various places

PFOS control in Great Lakes


SB 327

Advisory





Proposed

Aquatic lfe and deer consumption


Fish consumption PFOS restrictions



Food packaging

Minnesota

HF 2310













SF 669









SF 73


HF 552


Limitation for fish consumption in various places


M.S.A. § 325F.075


HF 1150


HF 2571

January 1st, 2025













January 1, 2026



January 1, 2026




January 1st, 2032


January 1, 2022


January 1, 2025


Advisory



January 1st, 2024


Proposed


Proposed

Carpets or rugs;

Cleaning products;

Cookware;

Cosmetics;

Dental floss;

Fabric treatments;

Juvenile products, including electrical and electronics;

Menstrual products;

Textile furnishings;

Ski wax; or

Upholstered furniture.


Notification: Obligation to notify the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency of products containing PFAS

Prohibition in any product that intentionnally contains PFAS, unless unavoidable and exempted.


Cannabis packaging


Children’s products


Fish consumption


Food packaging



Pesticide


Recycling

Nevada

SB 76

Proposed

Carpets and rugs

Children’s products

Cookware – certain labelling requirements

Cosmetics

Fabric treatments

Food packaging

Textile furnishings and upholstered furniture - indoor

New Hampshire

HB 465


Limitation for fish consumption in 5 lakes

HB 1352




HB 1649-FN

Proposed


Advisory


January 1, 2025



July 1st , 2026



July 1st, 2028

Stain-resistant treatments


Fish consumption


Fire station attire, limited to uniform shirts or pants.


Any products (PFAS notifications and labels)


Carpets and rugs

Cosmetics

Dental floss

Fabric treatments

Feminine hygiene products

Fluorine-treated containers

Food packaging and containers

Juvenile products

PPE (Personal protective equipment)

Upholstered furniture

New Jersey

S 3177






Limitation for fish consumption


A 1554

Proposed






Advisory


Proposed

Carpets and fabric treatments

Cookware

Cosmetics

Food packaging

Labelling requirements


Fish consumption


Recycling

New York

S 992A


S 1322


A 03571, A 9272, S 834, and S 5648A





S 501B


S 4171 and S 4265



A 05990




N.Y. E.C.L. § 37-0209


S 4246A


A 00773


A09005

Proposed


January 1, 2025


Proposed










Proposed




December 31st, 2022


Proposed


Proposed


January 1st, 2026


January 1st, 2027




January 1st, 2032

Anti-fogging sprays and wipes


Apparel


Architectural paints

Children’s products

Cleaning products

Ski wax


Children’s products


Cosmetics and personal care products


Feminine hygiene products


Fish consumption


Food packaging


Packaging and recycling


Pet products


Any products (with PFAS notification)

Carpets or rugs

Cookware

Cosmetics

Fabric treatments and textile articles

Personal care products


Any products

North Carolina



HB 279

Advisory


Proposed

Fish consumption


Packaging

Oklahoma

SB 874

Proposed

Labelling for biosolids

Oregon

Toxic Free Kids Act: ORS 431A.250 et al.


SB 546




SB 543

July 27, 2015


Proposed


Advisory

Children’s products


Cosmetics


Fish consumption


Food containers

Pennsylvania

HB 1122

Proposed

Food packaging

Rhode Island

SB 16 and SB 196



HB 5086


HB 7438 and S 2044


HB 7356 and SB 2152

Proposed



Proposed


January 1st, 2024


January 1st, 2027











January 1st, 2028

December 31st, 2032

Apparel and uniforms

Class B firefighting foams

Cleaning products

Composting


Food packaging


Artificial Turfs

Carpets or rugs

Children’s products

Cookware

Cosmetics

Fabric treatments

Menstrual products

Ski wax

Textile articles, furnishings and upholstered furniture


Any products (PFAS notification)

Any products

Tennessee

SB 0573

July 1, 2028

Food packaging

Vermont

H 152 and S 25






18 V.S.A. §1682



18 V.S.A. §1773


18 V.S.A. § 1672(a) and HB 601


H 50






HB 544

Proposed






July 1, 2023



July 1, 2022


July 1st, 2023




Class B firefighting foam: July 1, 2022 unless used at a terminal: January 1, 2024


July 1st, 2024

July 1st, 2025 (<100 ppm total organic fluorine)

July 1st, 2028 (<50 ppm total organic fluorine)

July 1st, 2029 (<50 ppm total organic fluorine)


July 10st, 2032

Cookware

Cosmetics

Menstrual products

Paper products

Pesticides


Carpets and rugs

Water-resistant treatments


Children’s products


Packaging


Labeling and composting


Firefighting foam




Artificial sports turf field

Ski wax

Fabrics or textile goods



Outdoor clothing designed for extreme wet weather conditions


Any products

Virginia

HB 1855

Proposed

Virginia

Washington State

WAC 173-337







HB 1047


WAC 173-334-010 et seq.



HB 1694


WA ST 70A.222.070

January 31, 2020







January 1st, 2025





Advisory


May 2024; implemented two years after Washington’s Department of Ecology submits a finding of safer alternatives to the Colorado legislature

PFAS reporting obligation to :

  • Carpets and rugs
  • Leather and textile furnishings - indoor
  • Stain-resistance treatments


Cosmetics


Children’s products


Consumer products in the Chemical Action Plan


Fish consumption


Food packaging

Wisconsin

Advisory

Deer and fish consumption

Substances Control and PFAS Chemicals

Public authorities typically tend to either:

The latter applies to the US Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) regulating per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

PFAS Toxic substances TSCA

What are the per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS Chemicals)?

PFAS Molecular Structure

PFAS substances are any chemical substance or mixture that has the following structure:

R-(CF2)-C(F)(R’)R”

CF2 and CF moieties are saturated carbons. None of the R groups (R, R’, or R”) are hydrogen.

PCTFE PFAS molecule
Example of PFAS molecule: PCTFE

These man-made chemicals have the main chain of carbon atoms, surrounded by fluorine atoms, while the endings of these structures can be different. 

Because of their molecular structures, PFASs:

  • enable waterproof surfaces, 
  • prevent corrosion, and 
  • increase the resistance to environmental and weather effects. 
Another example of a PFAS molecule: PVF

The PFAS Group of Molecules

PFAS is a large group of chemicals. Here are some of them:

Tree diagram of the PFAS Group

PFOA, PFOS, and PTFE

PFOA Molecule
PFOA

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfuorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) are the most well-known PFAS. They have been produced massively since their discovery in the 1930s and 1940s. GenX has been used to replace PFOA.

PFOS Molecule
PFOS

PTFE, commercialized under the brand name of Teflon, is a household name. 

Where are PFAS Chemicals Used?

Different products and industries use these substances. For example, the following applications may require PFAS chemicals:

  • Electronics;
  • Wire insulation;
  • Plastics;
  • Paint coatings;
  • Lubricants;
  • Chrome metal plating;
  • Solar panels;
  • Cooking (pans and other articles that should not stick and resist high temperatures);
  • Food contact surfaces such as boxes, bags, etc.
  • Roofing;
  • Flooring;
  • Asphalt;
  • Weatherproofing membranes;
  • Glasses;
  • Windows;
  • Doors;
  • Treated woods;
  • Cleaners;
  • Waxes;
  • Leather;
  • Clothing (raincoats, umbrellas, etc.)
  • Fire-fighting foams;
  • Fuel additives;
  • And more…
PFAS contained in electronics
Solar panels with PFAS
PFAS in pan PTFE
Clothing with PFAS - Raincoat

Why Restricting PFAS Chemicals?

Because of human releases from the production, byproducts, and products waste, PFASs contaminate drinking water sources. The release of PFASs into the environmental bring public health concern, as some of these PFAS are:

  • Persistent in the environment, 
  • Bioaccumulative in organisms. They can build up and stay in humans, animals, and fish.
  • Toxic at low (ppt) levels. 
PFAS PBT bioaccumulation in fish

They are called PBT substances. PFOA and PFOS are some of them. They tend to accumulate in the body after exposure and stay there for a long time. 

Ultimately, PFAS can affect :

  • liver enzymes;
  • the immune system;
  • endocrine and metabolic function
  • the fetus growth. 
Fetus development and PFAS

What do we Know about TSCA Regulating PFAS Chemicals?

Brief Overview of TSCA

Since 1976, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been implementing a regulation known as TSCA, which stands for Toxic Substances Control Act. The objective of TSCA is to control new or existing chemicals in the US market and then protect both Americans and the environment.

As you can imagine, TSCA has been amended multiple times over the years, with additional restricted substances. Furthermore, the Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act is a reform that gave birth to the TSCA-PBT, with the restriction of some persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic substances.

EPA TSCA PFAS

EPA Actions Against PFAS Chemicals

Since 2020, TSCA has set precise rules to restrict PFAS. In July 2020, EPA gave the Significant New Use Rule (SNUR) requiring the notice and review of LC-PFCAs in products. The aforementioned PFOA substances are part of the LC-PFCAs family, which are a  subgroup of long-chain perfluorinated carboxylic acids.

This requirement applies to LC-PFAC chemical substances used in the surface coating of imported articles, including:

Spary of LCPFAC PFAS for coating
  • Electronics
  • Light bulbs
  • Solar panels
  • Automotive parts
  • Furniture, carpets
  • Construction materials
  • In January 2021, EPA published the guide # RIN 2070-ZA23 in this regard.
  • On June 28, 2021, EPA issued the TSCA Proposal 86 Fed. Reg. 33926 with a PFASs reporting rule. The proposed addition to TSCA of Section 8(a)(7) requires all manufacturers to report PFAS content to EPA since 2011. A public comment period on this proposed amendment opened until September 27, 2021.

Who is Subject to the PFAS Report?

Manufacturers, including importers of articles above and small manufacturers, would be required to report PFAS content, most likely as of 2023.

What PFAS Information should Manufacturers Declare?

As mentioned above, the 86 FR 33926 amendment of June 28, 2021, requires manufacturers to file electronic reports with data about intentionally added PFAS. The PFAS by product/family reporting and recordkeeping obligations include:

  • Identifying the PFAS (trade names, molecules, description, tariff code) placed into the US market.
  • Giving the category of intended use of the chemicals.
  • Estimating the volumes (weight, by CAS #) of PFAS;
  • Detailing the environmental, health effects, and workers’ exposure.
  • Giving disposal guidance;
  • Giving credentials of the company.
PFAS manufacturers report

There is no exception in the proposed rule for articles, impurities, and byproducts.

Other Regulations Ruling PFAS Chemicals in Articles

TSCA is not the only regulation targeting PFAS. Here are some others:

  • EU Persistent Organic Pollutants (EU POP), restricting Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid and its derivatives (PFOS), Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), its salts, and PFOA-related compounds;
  • The EU REACH list of declarable SVHC chemicals includes Pentadecafluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). The REACH annex XVII also imposes restrictions of some C9-C14 PFACs, as of February 25th, 2023.
  • Since 2019, per the California Proposition 65, the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) listed PFOA and PFOS as causing developmental defects. Under certain conditions, warning labels may have to appear on products containing PFOA or PFOS.
  • On top of California, other US States ban PFAS applications, like PFAS in firefighting foam. For example, Colorado, New Hampshire, New York, Maine, and Washington have PFAS restrictions policies.
  • In Canada, the Regulations Amending the Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations of 2012 include PFOA and LC-PFCA restrictions. Perfluorooctane sulfonate and its salts (PFOS) are also listed on the Virtual Elimination List.

How can we help you at Enviropass?

At Enviropass, we can help you assess your products and analyze their compliance with the TSCA and other regulations ruling PFAS chemicals in products.

* Provided information in this blog is indicative only and can’t replace the regulations. We keep monitoring the applicable requirements which are constantly updated.

Do you need to verify your product obligations and comply?

Request your free consultation with an Enviropass expert!