SGS Informs Manufacturers About Recent PFAS Restrictions Proposed by US States

Several US states have issued proposals to prohibit perfluoroalkyl
or polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in consumer goods. Most of these bills
relate to food contact materials and articles, but other products include
residential upholstered furniture, firefighting foams and firefighting personal
protective equipment (PPE).

Connecticut has issued two proposed bills:

• Proposed SB 111 – will
  prohibit PFAS in food packaging and food packaging containing expanded polystyrene
  when alternatives are available
• Proposed SB 404 –
  prohibits PFAS in consumer products

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Iowa has also issued two bills:

• SF 19 – will prohibit
  PFAS in food packaging from January 1, 2023 (if accepted)
• HF 293 is proposed to come
  into effect from January 1, 2022, and it covers:

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1. Flame retardants in
   residential upholstered furniture (restrictions)
2. PFAS in food
   packaging, Class B firefighting foam, and firefighting PPE (prohibited)

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It should be noted that, if these bills are adopted, existing
stocks acquired before the effective date will be exempt.

Minnesota also has two bills:

• SF 70/HF 79 – will
  prohibit PFAS in food packaging from January 1, 2022 (if adopted)
• SF 373 – covers PFAS,
  ortho-phthalates and bisphenols in food packaging. These will be prohibited
  unless their presence is incidental, with the bill coming into effect from
  January 1, 2023 (if adopted)

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Finally, Rhode Island has introduced S.110, which will prohibit
PFAS in food packaging from January 1, 2022 (if accepted).

PFAS are a diverse family of synthetic chemicals, including perfluorooctanoic
acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). They are used in the
manufacture of products with anti-stain, water, grease, oil and/or dirt repelling
properties, including:

• Cosmetics
• Food contact materials
  and articles
• Firefighting foams
• Stain-resistant
  carpets
• Upholstered furniture
• Waterproof apparel and
  equipment

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If these proposals are accepted, these US states will join
California (Prop 65), Maine, New York, San Francisco, Washington and other
jurisdictions in regulating PFAS in consumer products.

Stakeholders
should be aware these bills may undergo changes as they progress.

SGS Chemical Testing

SGS offers a comprehensive range of
testing services to help manufacturers and suppliers ensure their products are
safe and comply with national and international regulations concerning harmful
chemicals. Learn more about SGS Chemical Testing Services.

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 in Consumer Goods SafeGuardS.

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For further information contact:

HingWo Tsang

Global Information and Innovation Manager

Tel: (+852) 2774 7420

Email: crs.media@sgs.com

Website: www.sgs.com/cgnr

LinkedIn: sgs-consumer-goods-&-retail

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