New York senate passes bill to ban harmful PFAS in apparel

25 May '22

2 min read

Pic: Shutterstock

The New York State senate recently passed a bill that prohibits the use of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), or ‘forever chemicals’, in apparel. PFAs are already limited in food packaging in New York after a bill passed in 2020. This bill focuses on ‘intentionally added chemical’ or those that serve an intended function in the product.

For common apparel, that includes clothing for regular and formal wear but not specialty performance apparel.

Introduced in April last year, the bill is backed by assembly member Patricia Fahy and state senator Brad Hoylman. The assembly voted to approve the bill and now the legislation will go to governor Kathy Hochul for approval or rejection. Its proposed effective date is December 31, 2023.

In a letter to the New York State legislature earlier this month, the American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA) vied for consideration of January 1, 2027, as the effective date to allow the fashion industry time for “adequate time for research, development and implementation of alternative chemicals, as well as suitable time to transition our supply chains [away from PFAs]”.

“Collectively we support responsible regulatory requirements that are protective of human health and the environment,” AAFA president and chief executive officer Stephen Lamar wrote.

“Our members are leading efforts to aggressively phase out the use of intentionally added perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals with a goal of a complete phase-out by 2027 of intentionally added PFAS chemicals in our products,” he said.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)

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