US States Introduce Bills to Restrict PFAS Chemicals in Firefighting and Food Packaging Products
Since the beginning of 2019, several US states have introduced legislation to prohibit the use of PFAS chemicals in firefighting foams, firefighting personal protective equipment and/or food packaging.
- (1888PressRelease) March 20, 2019 - Several US states have recently introduced legislation to prohibit the use of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, often referred to as PFAS chemicals. The restrictions are jurisdiction specific but relate to firefighting foams, firefighting personal protective equipment (PPE) and/or food packaging.
The states, products involved, and effective dates are:
• Kentucky
o Class B firefighting foams for firefighting or training purposes, prohibited from July 15, 2020
• Massachusetts
o Food packaging, prohibited from January 1, 2020
o Firefighting PPE, prohibited from January 1, 2022
o Sale of firefighting PPE, requires written statement indicating purpose of PFAS from January 1, 2020
• Minnesota
o Class B firefighting foams, prohibited from July 1, 2020
• New Hampshire
o Sale of firefighting PPE, requires written statement indicating inclusion of PFAS from July 1, 2020
o Class B firefighting foams, prohibited unless required by federal law from July 1, 2021
• New York
o Class B firefighting foams, prohibited 2 years and 90 days after bill becomes law
o Firefighting PPE, requires written notice stating reason for PFAS, 90 days after becoming law
o Food packaging largely made of paper, paperboard or plant fibers, prohibited upon enactment
• Rhode Island
o Food packaging, prohibited from January 1, 2020
• Virginia
o Class B firefighting foams for firefighting or training purposes, prohibited from July 1, 2021
Several jurisdictions already have legislation restricting PFAS chemicals. These are:
• California – PFOA and PFOS (see below) are included in the Proposition 65 (Prop 65) list of chemicals
• Washington – prohibits PFAS chemicals in food packaging and firefighting foams
• San Francisco – prohibits PFAS chemicals in single-use food service ware
PFAS chemicals are a diverse family of synthetic substances that make consumer products resistant to stains, water, grease, oil and/or dirt. Products using PFAS chemicals include carpets, cosmetics, leather, food contact materials and articles such as non-stick cookware and paper coatings, firefighting foams, upholstered furniture, and waterproof apparel and equipment. Sometimes also known as perfluorinated compounds (PFC), they include the substances perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS).
SGS Consumer Product Services
Utilizing its global network of state-of-the-art laboratories, SGS provides a comprehensive range of services to help manufacturers and suppliers bring compliant products to the marketplace. These include analytical testing and consultancy for restricted substances, including PFAS chemicals in food contact materials and articles for the US and international markets. Learn more about SGS’s Consumer Product Services. [www.sgs.com/en/consumer-goods-retail]
SGS SafeGuardS keep you up to date with the latest news and developments in the consumer goods industry. Read the full US Legislative Developments: PFAS Chemicals in Firefighting and Food Packaging Products SafeGuardS.
[www.sgs.com/en/news/2019/03/safeguards-02719-us-pfas-chemicals-in-firefighting-and-food-packaging-products]
Subscribe here, www.sgs.com/subscribesg, to receive SGS SafeGuardS direct to your inbox.
For further information contact:
Hingwo Tsang
Global Information and Innovation Manager
Tel:(+852) 2774 7420
Email: crs.media ( @ ) sgs dot com
Website: www.sgs.com/hardlines
About SGS
SGS is the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. SGS is recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 97,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 2,600 offices and laboratories around the world.
###
space
space
Satisfied Users & 
Approved Press Releases
Print
Email
Report Spam