The US state of California has approved measures to restrict PFAS in juvenile products for infants and children under the age of 12 years. The restrictions will become effective on July 1, 2023.
On October 5, 2021, the governor of the US state of California signed AB 652 into law to restrict PFAS in juvenile products. The new law adds new Chapter 12.5 (commencing with Section 108945) to the state’s Health and Safety Code under Part 3 of Division 104.
According to the definitions in the new law, perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and juvenile products have the following meaning:
- Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) means a family of fluorinated organic chemicals containing at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom
- Juvenile products means a product for use by infants and children under 12 years of age, including but not limited to, a baby or toddler foam pillow, bassinet, bedside sleeper, booster seat, changing pad, child-restraint system for use in motor vehicles and aircraft, co-sleeper, crib mattress, floor playmat, highchair, highchair pad, infant bouncer, infant carrier, infant seat, infant sleep positioner, infant swing, infant travel bed, infant walker, nap cot, nursing pad, nursing pillow, playmat, playpen, play yard, polyurethane foam mat, pad or pillow, portable foam nap mat, portable infant sleeper, portable hook-on chair, soft-sided portable crib, stroller and toddler mattress
Highlights of the new law are summarized in Table 1.
California AB 652 (Chapter 500) 2021-2022 Session | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Substance | Scope | Requirement | Effective Date |
PFAS | Juvenile products for children under 121 | Prohibited if either intentionally added that has a functional or technical effect, or ≥ 100 ppm (as total organic fluorine) | July 1, 2023 |
1Exemption:
| |||
Table 1
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