SG 157/24
The US state of Massachusetts has approved measures to regulate PFAS in personal protective equipment for firefighting. The new law will be implemented into phases, starting on January 1, 2025.
In August 2024, the governor of Massachusetts signed S.2902 (Chapter 182) into law to regulate per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in firefighting personal protective equipment (FPPE).
According to the definitions in the new law, ‘FPPE’ and ‘PFAS’ have the following meanings:
- FPPE means clothing or wearable items for firefighting personnel in the performance of their duties that are designed for use in fire and rescue activities, including, but not limited to footwear, gloves, helmets, jackets, pants and respiratory equipment
- PFAS means a class of fluorinated chemicals containing at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom
Highlights of S.2902 are summarized in Table 1.
Substance | Scope | Requirement | Effective date |
PFAS | FPPE | Manufacturers (including importers and domestic distributors by statute) must provide written notice1 to the purchaser at the time of sale indicating:
| January 1, 2025 |
PFAS | FPPE | Prohibited if intentionally added | January 1, 2027 |
Table 1
1Manufacturers and purchasers must retain a copy of the notice for at least three years from date of purchase.
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