Contact

What are you looking for?

California, USA, Regulates PFAS in Juvenile Products

SafeGuardSToys and Juvenile ProductsOctober 13, 2021

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
Product Safety: Juvenile Products: Chemicals: Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances

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:

  • Secondhand juvenile products

  • Internal components of juvenile products that would not come into direct contact with a child’s skin or mouth during reasonably foreseeable use and abuse of the product

  • Children’s electronic products, including, but not limited to, personal computers, audio and video equipment, wireless phones and handheld devices incorporating a video screen or any associated peripherals

  • Medical devices

  • Adult mattresses

Table 1

SGS offers a range of consulting, training, product development, testing, auditing and inspection services to help you demonstrate that your products are safe, high quality, and that they comply with the strict regulations that are enforced by markets around the world. In the end, it’s only trusted because it’s tested. Contact us for more information or visit our website

For inquiries, please contact:

Dr. Hingwo Tsang
Global Information and Innovation Manager
t: (+852) 2774 7420


© SGS Group Management SA - 2021 - All rights reserved - SGS is a registered trademark of SGS Group Management SA. This is a publication of SGS, except for 3rd parties’ contents submitted or licensed for use by SGS. SGS neither endorses nor disapproves said 3rd parties contents. This publication is intended to provide technical information and shall not be considered an exhaustive treatment of any subject treated. It is strictly educational and does not replace any legal requirements or applicable regulations. It is not intended to constitute consulting or professional advice. The information contained herein is provided “as is” and SGS does not warrant that it will be error-free or will meet any particular criteria of performance or quality. Do not quote or refer any information herein without SGS’s prior written consent.

Stay on top of regulatory changes within your industry
Read more articles for the Consumer Goods and Retail industry

News & Insights

  • SGS SafeGuardS

1 Place des Alpes,

P.O. Box 2152,

1211, Geneva, Switzerland