Viewing blog posts tagged with 'legislation'

States Taking the Lead: 5 Key Takeaways from 2023 Legislative Sessions

July 20, 2023

Eduardo Valenzuela

As most states have now wrapped up their legislative sessions, we’ve found that states across the nation have adopted a range of innovative policies to combat toxic chemicals and incentivize the adoption of safer solutions.  So far this year, 17 states have adopted at least 35 policies that help transform our economic system to better protect communities and create incentives for industry to develop safer chemicals and materials. 

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Minnesota state capital

First-in-nation ban on PFAS “forever chemicals” in menstrual products, cleaning ingredients, cookware, and dental floss signed by Minnesota Governor

May 25, 2023

Press Statement

PORTLAND, OR⸺Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signed into law the first-ever ban in the U.S. on PFAS “forever chemicals” in cookware, dental floss, and menstrual products as part of the broadest PFAS policy package in the country. The new law bans all uses of PFAS in products by 2032—except those that are necessary for public health, requires manufacturers to report their use of PFAS in products to the state by 2026, and bans specific uses in several products starting in 2025.

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Strongest law in the U.S. regulating toxic chemicals in cosmetics signed by Washington State Governor today

May 15, 2023

Press Statement

Today, the Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act (HB 1047)—sponsored by Washington State Representative Sharlett Mena (29th Legislative District)—was signed by Governor Inslee, making it the strongest law in the nation regulating cosmetics and personal care products.

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2023 Analysis of State Legislation Addressing Toxic Chemicals and Materials

February 06, 2023

Safer States published 2023 Analysis of State Legislation Addressing Toxic Chemicals and Materials on February 6, 2023 which analyzed state-level policies driving toward safer chemicals and materials and healthier communities, finding that at least 30 states will consider policies in 2023. Safer States anticipates that at least 260 policies will be under consideration in 2023 with PFAS, plastics and cosmetics being the most relevant issues.

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Safer States 2023 Multistate Analysis Cover Page2

New York ended the year 2022 on a high note by banning toxic PFAS chemicals in apparel and carpets

January 06, 2023

Just before the new year, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed into law a bill restricting the use of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS, in apparel. The bill will eliminate the use of PFAS in apparel by Dec. 31, 2023. Governor Hochul also signed a bill banning PFAS in carpets as part of a mandate requiring manufacturers to implement a carpet collection program.  

 

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apparel

PFAS crisis sparks bipartisan momentum

November 17, 2022

Eduardo Valenzuela

There is reason to hope that we can see beyond the political divisions that were evident on election day 2022 and work together to address common threats. One issue, in particular, has consistently drawn bipartisan attention from state legislators across the country — the need to address toxic PFAS chemicals that are contaminating communities and drinking water.

 

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drinking water

California Governor signs first-in-nation ban on PFAS “forever chemicals” in textiles

September 30, 2022

Press Statement

PORTLAND, OR—Yesterday, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law a first in the nation groundbreaking bill (AB 1817) that explicitly bans the use of PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances), also known as “forever chemicals,” in many textiles. 

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Mid-year review: states lead the way on toxic chemical policies

July 11, 2022

Sarah Doll

Most states have now finished their legislative sessions and, as Safer States’ analysis predicted earlier this year, there has been significant action on toxic chemicals in state policies across the country, especially ones focused on PFAS “forever chemicals”So far this year, bipartisan majorities in 13 states have adopted at least 22 policies that will help transform our economic system to be one that better protects communities and creates incentives for industry to develop safer chemicals.

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CO signing ceremony 2022

Rhode Island Governor Signs into Law Notable Ban on Toxic PFAS Chemicals in Food Packaging

July 08, 2022

Press Statement

On Tuesday, July 5, Rhode Island Governor Daniel McKee signed into law a policy that bans toxic chemicals known as PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in all types of food packaging by 2024. In addition to becoming the 11th state to ban PFAS from food packaging, this policy requires food packaging solutions to be less hazardous and targets PFAS chemicals used in the production of food packaging, not just the food packaging material itself. Rhode Island’s policy will also restrict PFAS and heavy metals in recycled content food packaging starting in July 2027. 

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Illinois Governor Signs into Law First-Ever Statewide Ban of PFAS Incineration

June 30, 2022

Press Statement

On Wednesday, June 8, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed into law a first-in-the-nation policy that prohibits the disposal by incineration of PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) that are listed in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Toxic Release Inventory. This includes, but is not strictly limited to, PFAS substances that are often found in aqueous film-forming foam, otherwise known as firefighting foam. In 2020, New York adopted a similar law that banned the incineration of PFAS-containing firefighting foams at a specific facility, but Illinois is the first to issue a statewide ban on incinerating certain PFAS. 

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