Summary
Manufacturers, distributors, and retailers of consumer products across a broad spectrum of industries are being impacted by regulations regarding the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (“PFAS”) in their products. This area is rapidly developing as states create new laws, and the penalties and litigation risk for non-compliance can be significant.
While this article focuses on state laws and regulations, we note that the House of Representatives passed the PFAS Action Act of 2021 on July 21, 2021, which among other things, includes provisions regarding labeling requirements for certain consumer products (see section 10 of the Act for additional information.) While the Senate still needs to approve this Bill, it demonstrates that federal attention has been directed to PFAS consumer products issues, and that federal action in this area is reasonably likely.
I. PFAS Background
PFAS is a family of chemicals comprised of somewhere between 5,000-12,000 compounds depending on the regulatory definition. According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (“ATSDR”), PFAS have been reported in certain consumer products, including the following:
- some grease-resistant paper, fast food containers, microwave popcorn bags, pizza boxes, and candy wrappers;
- nonstick cookware (e.g., Teflon);
- stain resistant coatings used on upholstery or other fabrics;
- water resistant clothing such as “durable water repellent clothing;”
- cleaning products;
- personal care products (e.g., shampoo, dental floss) and cosmetics (e.g., nail polish, eye makeup); and
- paints, varnishes or sealants.
Some sources, such as the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”), also state that certain PFAS chemicals accumulate both in the human body and animals since PFAS can be ingested through water and food. Accordingly, some states have enacted health advisories limiting the consumption of deer meat and fish tissue.
II. Specific Consumer Product Regulations
States have taken many different approaches to regulating consumer products containing PFAS. State regulations of PFAS in consumer products have principally focused on the following product sectors thus far, but importantly, these categories are not exclusive:
- Food Packaging;
- Cosmetics or Personal Care Products;
- Children’s Products;
- Textiles, Fabrics, Carpets or Rugs, and Upholstery; and
- The Consumption of Fish Tissue and Deer Meat.
Below is an overview of enacted and proposed state laws and regulations as of December 20, 2022, to assist you in investigating whether your products may be impacted.
The following chart identifies what specific product categories each state regulates, but does not include the specific regulatory levels or requirements to avoid confusion because the structure and limits vary widely from state to state.
No PFAS consumer product regulations (as of the date of publication): Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
III. Conclusion
While several states do not currently have any adopted laws or regulations with respect to PFAS in consumer products, many are considering ways to address these chemicals. As noted above, Congress is also considering regulation at a national level. Whether or not your business is currently subject to consumer product regulations related to PFAS, a prudent first step to evaluate your potential risk is to determine whether any of your products or production methods contain or use these chemicals.
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