Consumer Right to Know: PFAS Disclosure Laws
As PFAS health concerns mount, consumers increasingly demand product transparency. Several states have enacted PFAS disclosure requirements for consumer products, creating a patchwork of labeling obligations for manufacturers.
State Disclosure Laws
Maine’s PFAS Reporting Law (PL 2021, Ch. 232) requires manufacturers to report intentional use of PFAS in products sold in Maine. California’s AB 1817 requires “PFAS-free” labeling standards for textiles, prohibiting intentionally added PFAS by 2025.
Challenges in Implementation
Disclosure requirements face manufacturer challenges regarding trade secrets, supply chain traceability, and analytical detection limits. EPA’s PFAS reporting rule under TSCA Section 8(a)(7) supplements state disclosure with federal inventory requirements.
Consumer and Market Effects
PFAS disclosure mandates are driving market reformulation as brands preemptively remove PFAS to avoid labeling obligations. Third-party PFAS-free certification programs are emerging to provide verified consumer assurance.