Washington State Bans PFAS Chemicals in Firefighting Foams
Starting on July 1, 2018, Washington State in the US will begin implementing restrictions on the use of perfluorinated chemicals in firefighting foams.
- (1888PressRelease) April 27, 2018 - The US state of Washington will begin implementing prohibitions on the use of perfluorinated chemicals in fighting foams on July 1, 2018. The phased implementation will begin with a ban on the discharge or use of these chemicals for training, before enforcing a total ban on the manufacture, sale, distribution and use of these chemicals on July 1, 2020.
Stakeholders should be aware the new rules do not apply in instances where federal law requires the use of PFAS chemicals – for example, during aircraft rescues, at fuel storage and distribution facilities, and at chemical plants.
The new law, ESSB 6413 – Firefighting-Toxic Chemical Use, was signed into law by the Governor on March 27, 2018. It will create a new chapter under Title 70 RCW ‘Public Health and Safety’.
According to the law, ‘perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances’ or ‘PFAS chemicals’ are a family of fluorinated organic chemicals that contain at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom. PFAS chemicals are a diverse family of synthetic chemicals with several applications in the manufacture of everyday products with anti-stain, water, grease, oil and/or dirt properties. Products using PFAS include:
• Firefighting foams
• Food contact materials and articles
• Stain-resistant carpets and upholstered furniture
• Waterproof apparel
PFAS chemicals are already regulated in several regions and in a wide variety of consumer products. These include:
• Washington State – food contact materials and articles
• California – Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) in consumer products under Proposition 65
• European Union – PFOA and PFOA-related substances in consumer products under REACH
SGS Consumer Products Services
Through a global network of laboratories, SGS are able to provide a range of services, including analytical testing and consultancy for PFAS chemicals and flame retardants in consumer products for the US and international markets. Learn more about SGS’s Consumer Products Services. [www.sgs.com/cgnr]
SGS SafeGuardS keep you up to date with the latest news and developments in the consumer goods industry. Read the full Washington State Prohibits Perfluorinated Chemicals in Firefighting Foams SafeGuardS. [www.sgs.com/en/news/2018/04/safeguards-04818-washington-state-prohibits-perfluorinated-chemicals-in-firefighting-foams]
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For further information contact:
Hing Wo Tsang Ph.D
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 95,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 2,400 offices and laboratories around the world.
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