Requirements by product
| Product | Requirement | Effective | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food packagingBan | Prohibits manufacture or knowing sale of food packaging designed for direct food contact that contains intentionally added PFAS, including packaging substantially composed of paper, paperboard, or plant-fiber material, and plastic disposable gloves used in commercial or institutional food service.Certificate of compliance required from manufacturers on request. | January 1, 2024 | In force | Env. 9-1902(d); definitions 9-1901(c) |
| CosmeticsBan | No person may knowingly manufacture, sell, deliver, hold or offer for sale in Maryland a cosmetic containing any of 13 listed PFAS and their salts, including PFOS, PFOA, PFDA and PFNA, as intentionally added ingredients.The same section bans other listed ingredients, such as formaldehyde and certain phthalates. Consumer Protection Act enforcement was added July 1, 2026. | January 1, 2025 | In force | Health-General 21-259.2 |
| Carpets and rugsBan | Prohibits manufacture, sale, or distribution of rugs or carpets (commercial or residential) containing intentionally added PFAS.Excludes used/second-hand rugs and carpets; manufacturers must provide a certificate of compliance on request. | January 1, 2024 | In force Secondary source | Section 6-1604.1 |
| Firefighting foamBan | Prohibits the use, manufacture, sale, or distribution of Class B firefighting foam containing intentionally added PFAS.Exemption for airports, ports, oil refineries, and chemical plants until September 30, 2024; oil terminals exempt until December 31, 2027. | January 1, 2024 | In force | Section 6-1603 |
| Firefighting foamReporting | A person allowed to use Class B foam with PFAS under an exemption must report to MDE within 5 days any release directly into the environment, with the foam's identity, quantity, total PFAS concentration and waste form. | January 1, 2024 | Applies | Env. 6-1603(c)(1)(ii)4 |
| Firefighter gearLabeling | Sellers of firefighting personal protective equipment that contains PFAS chemicals must give the purchaser written notice that it contains PFAS and why.Both seller and buyer must retain the disclosure statement for 3 years. | July 1, 2022 | Applies | Env. 6-1603(d) |
| Other named productsBan | No person may install, supply, sell or offer for sale playground surfacing materials that contain components to which PFAS were intentionally added.Manufacturers must provide a certificate of compliance within 30 days of an MDE request. | October 1, 2024 | In force | Env. 6-16A-03 |
The laws
Maryland
George "Walter" Taylor Act
- Citation
- Md. Code Ann., Environment Section 6-1601 et seq.
- Enacted by
- HB 275 / SB 273 (2022), Chapter 138 (2022 Regular Session)
- Enacted or adopted
- April 21, 2022
- Status
- In force
- Source
- https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/sb0273?ys=2022rs
How it defines PFAS
a class of fluorinated organic chemicals that contain at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom, including perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances
Exemptions
- Airports, ports, oil refineries, and chemical plants exempt from AFFF ban until September 30, 2024
- Oil terminals exempt from AFFF ban until December 31, 2027
- Used/second-hand rugs and carpets excluded from the carpet ban
Maryland
PFAS in playground surfacing materials
- Citation
- Md. Code, Environment 6-16A-03
- Enacted by
- HB 1147 (2024), 2024 Md. Laws ch. 488, approved May 9, 2024
- Enacted or adopted
- May 9, 2024
- Status
- In force
- Source
- https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gen§ion=6-16A-03&enactments=false
Maryland
Prohibited cosmetic ingredients, including 13 PFAS
- Citation
- Md. Code, Health-General 21-259.2
- Enacted by
- HB 643 (2021), Ch. 490 of 2021, law without signature; amended by Chs. 283 and 284 of 2026 (SB 656, HB 1533)
- Enacted or adopted
- May 30, 2021
- Last amended
- July 1, 2026
- Status
- In force
- Source
- https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/Chapters_noln/CH_283_sb0656e.pdf
Exemptions
- Technically unavoidable traces of a listed ingredient are exempt.
Penalties. Since July 1, 2026, a violation is an unfair, abusive or deceptive trade practice under the Consumer Protection Act, injured individuals may sue for damages, and the Health Department may inspect premises and sample products.
Bills and pending action
- HB1022 / SB686 (2026): PFAS Chemicals - Product Phase Outs and Registration Requirements
Withdrawn by sponsor April 8, 2026; did not pass either chamber (April 8, 2026)
Would have prohibited sale/distribution of certain products with intentionally added PFAS on phased dates and created a manufacturer registration system; opposed by equipment manufacturers over scope covering components and parts; set aside after the March 23, 2026 crossover deadline and later withdrawn. Source - HB1190 / SB956 (2024): Pesticides - PFAS Chemicals - Prohibition
Died in committee; carried forward concept did not re-emerge as this bill (March 13, 2024)
Would have prohibited PFAS in pesticides; received a House Health and Government Operations Committee hearing March 13, 2024, and did not advance further. Source
Timeline
- April 21, 2022 Enacted
Governor Hogan signs the George Walter Taylor Act (HB275/SB273, Ch. 138). Source - May 8, 2023 Enacted
HB319 (Ch. 486) signed, directing a state study of PFAS in pesticides (not a product ban). Source - October 1, 2023 Took effect
Firefighter PPE PFAS written-disclosure requirement takes effect. Source - January 1, 2024 Took effect
AFFF, food packaging, and carpet/rug PFAS bans take effect statewide. Source - March 13, 2024 Update
House committee hearing held on pesticide PFAS ban bill HB1190; bill later dies in committee. Source - April 8, 2026 Update
Sponsor withdraws HB1022, ending the 2026 attempt at a broad PFAS product phase-out and registration law. Source - July 1, 2026 Took effect
Chapters 283 and 284 of 2026 took effect, making violations of the cosmetic ingredient ban, which covers 13 PFAS, enforceable under the Consumer Protection Act. Source
Checked and set aside
- Maryland has no PFAS pesticide ban. Bills died in committee in 2024 and 2025.