SG 176/24
California has signed into law the Take All Menstrual Product-PFAS Out Now (T.A.M.P.O.N.) Act (AB 2515), prohibiting per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from menstrual products.
Following other California bills set to restrict PFAS, Assembly Bill No. 2515 (AB 2515), also known as, Take All Menstrual Product-PFAS Out Now (T.A.M.P.O.N.) Act, was signed into law on September 30, 2024.
| Term | Definition under AB 2515 |
| Menstrual product | A product used to collect menstruation and vaginal discharge, including, but not limited to, tampons, pads, sponges, menstruation underwear, disks and menstrual cups, whether disposable or reusable. |
| Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances or PFAS | A class of fluorinated organic chemicals containing at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom. |
| Regulated PFAS (from January 1, 2025) | PFAS that are intentionally added to a product and have a functional or technical effect in the product. |
| Regulated PFAS (from January 1, 2027) | PFAS in a product or product component at or above a limit determined by the Department of Toxic Substances Control (the department), as measured in total organic fluorine. |
A summary of the act’s timeline:
| Timeline | Requirement |
| From January 1, 2025 | Any person is prohibited from manufacturing, distributing, selling or offering for sale in California any menstrual products that contain a regulated PFAS. |
| By January 1, 2027 | The presence of a regulated PFAS shall be determined by the department at or above a limit (measured in total organic fluorine). The department shall announce on its website the accepted test method for regulated PFAS in menstrual products and appropriate third-party accreditations for laboratories. |
| By January 1, 2029 | The department shall implement, interpret, enforce and make specific Article 15 (commencing with Section 25258), Chapter 6.5 of Division 20 of the Health and Safety Code. |
| By July 1, 2029 | Manufacturers must register a menstrual product with the department and provide information as follows.
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Violation of these provisions may bring about administractive or civil penalties as specified in the act. Moneys collected from penalities will be deposited into the ‘T.A.M.P.O.N. Act Fund’.
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