The bill—AB 2771, which was signed by Gov Newsom on Sept. 29, 2022—prohibits, beginning January 1, 2025, a person or entity from manufacturing, selling, delivering, holding, or offering for sale in commerce any cosmetic product that contains intentionally added perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances PFAS, as defined.
“Toxic PFAS have no place in our consumer products,” said Assembly member Friedman (D-Glendale), who authored the new law, known as the PFAS-Free Beauty Act. “California will now ban these harmful chemicals from our cosmetics and personal care products.”
“Soon, Californians won’t have to worry that they’re putting their health, or the health of their loved ones, at risk by doing something as routine as applying lotion or wearing makeup,” she added.
California was the first to ban 13 PFAS from personal care products, and the state also banned the use of PFAS in firefighting foam. Last year, Gov. Newsom signed into law the two bills banning the use of PFAS in juvenile products and in food packaging.
The PFAS-Free Beauty Act was co-sponsored by the Environmental Working Group, Breast Cancer Prevention Partners and CALPIRG.
“We applaud Gov. Newsom for signing this important bill into law despite industry pressure and ensuring that what we put on our bodies is free from toxic PFAS,” said Susan Little, EWG’s senior advocate for California government affairs. “This is a huge deal. California has the largest statewide market for cosmetics and the sixth biggest economy in the world.”
Janet Nudelman, senior director of program and policy for Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, thanked Gov. Newsom “for protecting the health of all Californians by signing this groundbreaking law.”
She added, “Consumers will soon be able to avoid these harmful chemicals in the products they slather on their bodies and their babies and that wash down the drain and further contaminate our water systems.”
