04.01.22
Washington Governor Jay Inslee today signed bill that will tackle the use of harmful chemicals used in a broad range of product categories from cosmetics to apparel, into law March 31.
The bill, HB 1694 - 2021-22, concerns logistical processes for the regulation of priority chemicals in consumer products tackling per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) -- a group of chemicals used to make fluoropolymer coatings and products that resist heat, oil, stains, grease and water--so-called “forever chemicals” in a broad range of products by 2025.
The bill, HB 1694 - 2021-22, concerns logistical processes for the regulation of priority chemicals in consumer products tackling per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) -- a group of chemicals used to make fluoropolymer coatings and products that resist heat, oil, stains, grease and water--so-called “forever chemicals” in a broad range of products by 2025.
Product categories include apparel, cosmetics and firefighter personal protective equipment.
Rep. Liz Berry (D-Seattle) sponsored the measure, which received broad bipartisan support.
“Accelerating the timeline to ban toxic PFAS chemicals is essential to making our state a safer, healthier place to call home,” said Representative Liz Berry (D-Seattle). “In signing this bill into law, we’ve cemented Washington’s place as a national leader in eliminating these dangerous chemicals once and for all.”
The passage of the bill follows a peer-reviewed study led by scientists at Toxic-Free Future (TFF), the University of Washington, and Indiana University that found PFAS in 100% of breast milk samples from 50 mothers in and around Seattle, WA. And, earlier this year, TFF released a study that found PFAS in most products labeled stain- and water-resistant.
Further Action on PFAS
HB 1694 includes the fastest timeline in the nation for addressing PFA-containing products like rain coats, apparel, non-stick pans, waxes, floor-care products, cosmetics and firefighter gear under Washington’s groundbreaking Safer Products law. Further, the Washington Department of Ecology is currently moving toward restricting PFAs in carpets, rugs, and other home furnishings, but it has not yet taken on all of the products identified in its PFAS chemical action plan. This measure ensures that Ecology will act on many more products and firefighter gear by 2025. HB 1694 also included provisions that would have made additional action on other chemicals under the law more efficient, but these provisions were not included in the final version adopted by the legislature.
In January 2022, Toxic-Free Future released testing and an investigation that found PFAS in most products labeled stain- or water-resistant including outdoor gear, bedding and tablecloths/napkins sold by retailers including REI, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Amazon, Walmart, Target and Costco.