Requirements by product
| Product | Requirement | Effective | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food packagingBan | No person may manufacture, knowingly sell, offer for sale, distribute for sale or distribute for use plant-fiber food packaging with intentionally added PFAS in these applications: wraps, plates, food boats and pizza boxes.Food package means packaging intended for direct food contact made in substantial part of paper, paperboard or other plant-fiber material. Date set by Ecology's 2021 safer alternatives report (ban takes effect two years after the report). Manufacturers must keep a certificate of compliance. | February 1, 2023 | In force | RCW 70A.222.070(1), (5); RCW 70A.222.040 |
| Food packagingBan | Same prohibition extended to plant-fiber bags and sleeves, bowls, flat serviceware, open-top containers and closed containers.Date set by Ecology's 2022 safer alternatives report. Ecology's page lists no later tranche. | May 1, 2024 | In force | RCW 70A.222.070(5) |
| CookwareReporting | Manufacturers must notify Ecology of intentionally added PFAS in durable cookware and kitchen supplies that contact food or beverages.Reporting requirement took effect Jan. 1, 2026; first notice due Jan. 31, 2027, then annually by Jan. 31. Does not apply to products manufactured before Jan. 1, 2026. Total fluorine above 50 ppm is presumed to show intentional addition (rebuttable). Excludes disposable or single-use items and internal components that do not contact food. | January 1, 2026 | Applies | WAC 173-337-110(12) |
| CosmeticsBan | No person may manufacture, knowingly sell, offer for sale, distribute for sale or distribute for use a cosmetic product that contains intentionally added PFAS.In-state retailers could sell existing stock until Jan. 1, 2026. From Jan. 1, 2027 the rule definition of intentionally added reaches chemicals that function in an ingredient (for example fragrance components). Product packaging is not covered. | January 1, 2025 | In force | RCW 70A.560.020(1)(b), (3); WAC 173-339-020 |
| Apparel and textilesBan | No person may manufacture, sell or distribute apparel and accessories made of leather, natural, synthetic or technical textiles that contain intentionally added PFAS.Excludes firefighting PPE, apparel with biological or chemical hazard protection standards, single-use items, apparel for extreme and extended use (reporting only), footwear (reporting only), recreation and travel gear, and products manufactured before Jan. 1, 2027. Total fluorine above 50 ppm is presumed to show intentional addition. | January 1, 2027 | Scheduled | WAC 173-337-110(5) |
| Apparel and textilesReporting | Manufacturers must notify Ecology of intentionally added PFAS in apparel intended for extreme and extended use and in footwear made of leather or textiles.Reporting requirement took effect Jan. 1, 2026; first notice due Jan. 31, 2027, then annually by Jan. 31. Does not apply to products manufactured before Jan. 1, 2026. Total fluorine above 50 ppm is presumed to show intentional addition (rebuttable). Extreme and extended use means waterproof outdoor apparel for extreme weather (for example offshore fishing, whitewater kayaking, mountaineering) not marketed for general consumer use. | January 1, 2026 | Applies | WAC 173-337-110(6), (7) |
| Textile furnishingsBan | No person may manufacture, sell or distribute leather and textile furnishings intended for indoor use that contain intentionally added PFAS.Same subsection and exclusions as the indoor furniture restriction. | January 1, 2026 | In force | WAC 173-337-110(3) |
| Carpets and rugsBan | No person may manufacture, sell or distribute indoor or outdoor carpets or rugs, including carpeted mats, that contain intentionally added PFAS.Excludes products manufactured before Jan. 1, 2025 and repair parts for them. Any total fluorine detection is presumed to show intentional addition (rebuttable). | January 1, 2025 | In force | WAC 173-337-110(2) |
| Fabric treatmentsBan | No person may manufacture, sell or distribute aftermarket stain-resistant or water-resistant treatments for textile and leather consumer products that contain intentionally added PFAS.Does not apply to premarket treatments applied during manufacturing or to products manufactured before Jan. 1, 2025. Any total fluorine detection is presumed to show intentional addition (rebuttable). | January 1, 2025 | In force | WAC 173-337-110(1) |
| Upholstered furnitureBan | No person may manufacture, sell or distribute leather and textile furniture intended for indoor use that contains intentionally added PFAS.Excludes outdoor furniture (reporting only), leather and textiles sold separately, and products manufactured before Jan. 1, 2026. Any total fluorine detection is presumed to show intentional addition (rebuttable). | January 1, 2026 | In force | WAC 173-337-110(3) |
| Upholstered furnitureReporting | Manufacturers must notify Ecology when leather and textile furniture and furnishings intended for outdoor use contain intentionally added PFAS.First notice due Jan. 31, 2025, then annually by Jan. 31. The same requirement covers outdoor textile furnishings. | January 1, 2024 | Applies | WAC 173-337-110(4) |
| Cleaning productsBan | No person may manufacture, sell or distribute formulated cleaning products for residential, commercial or institutional use that contain intentionally added PFAS.Excludes automotive washes (separate restriction), cleaning products only for industrial facilities, pesticidal products not marketed as cleaning products, PFAS used as a propellant, and products manufactured before Jan. 1, 2027. Total fluorine above 50 ppm is presumed to show intentional addition. | January 1, 2027 | Scheduled | WAC 173-337-110(11) |
| Ski waxReporting | Manufacturers must notify Ecology of intentionally added PFAS in ski waxes, including hot, spray and rub-on waxes and related tuning products.Reporting requirement took effect Jan. 1, 2026; first notice due Jan. 31, 2027, then annually by Jan. 31. Does not apply to products manufactured before Jan. 1, 2026. Total fluorine above 50 ppm is presumed to show intentional addition (rebuttable). Ski wax is a reporting category only. | January 1, 2026 | Applies | WAC 173-337-110(16) |
| Firefighting foamBan | Manufacturers may not manufacture, knowingly sell, offer for sale or distribute class B firefighting foam with intentionally added PFAS.Exempt where federal law requires PFAS (14 C.F.R. 139.317) until two years after Ecology publishes a finding that federal rules allow alternatives. Manufacturers must recall prohibited foam and reimburse purchasers. | July 1, 2020 | In force | RCW 70A.400.020(1), (2); RCW 70A.400.040 |
| Firefighting foamBan | The sales ban began to apply to foam sold for use at terminals, chemical plants and oil refineries operated by the buyer.Operators may seek two-year waivers, extendable once, on clear and convincing evidence that no PFAS-free foam can suppress a large atmospheric storage tank fire. | January 1, 2024 | In force | RCW 70A.400.020(3) |
| Firefighting foamBan | Manufacturers may not sell or offer AFFF to Part 139 certificated airports in Washington.Follows Ecology's Register finding under RCW 70A.400.020(2)(b). Ecology says it may extend the deadline by up to one year for an airport with valid justification. Airports may sell existing stock out of state. | September 30, 2025 | In force | RCW 70A.400.020(2)(b) |
| Firefighting foamUse limit | No person, local government or state agency may discharge or use class B foam with intentionally added PFAS for training.Use in real fires and required equipment testing remains allowed, per Ecology. | July 1, 2018 | In force | RCW 70A.400.010 |
| Firefighter gearReporting | Manufacturers must notify Ecology of intentionally added PFAS in firefighting personal protective equipment.Reporting requirement took effect Jan. 1, 2026; first notice due Jan. 31, 2027, then annually by Jan. 31. Does not apply to products manufactured before Jan. 1, 2026. Total fluorine above 50 ppm is presumed to show intentional addition (rebuttable). | January 1, 2026 | Applies | WAC 173-337-110(13); RCW 70A.350.090(2) |
| Firefighter gearLabeling | Manufacturers and sellers of firefighting PPE must give the purchaser written notice at the time of sale if the equipment contains PFAS, stating the reason PFAS are added.Seller and buyer must keep the notice for three years and give it to Ecology on request. PPE is also a Cycle 1.5 reporting category. | July 1, 2018 | Applies | RCW 70A.400.030 |
| Other named productsBan | No person may manufacture, sell or distribute automotive washes (exterior cleaning products for cars, boats, trucks and other vehicles) that contain intentionally added PFAS.Excludes washes applied during vehicle manufacturing, automotive waxes, all-in-one wash and wax products, engine cleaners, PFAS used as a propellant, and products manufactured before Jan. 1, 2027. | January 1, 2027 | Scheduled | WAC 173-337-110(9) |
| Other named productsReporting | Manufacturers must notify Ecology of intentionally added PFAS in gear for recreation and travel, automotive waxes, floor waxes and polishes, and hard surface sealers.Reporting requirement took effect Jan. 1, 2026; first notice due Jan. 31, 2027, then annually by Jan. 31. Does not apply to products manufactured before Jan. 1, 2026. Total fluorine above 50 ppm is presumed to show intentional addition (rebuttable). | January 1, 2026 | Applies | WAC 173-337-110(8), (10), (14), (15) |
The laws
Washington
PFAS in food packaging (Toxics in Packaging law)
- Citation
- RCW 70A.222.070 (definitions RCW 70A.222.010; certificate of compliance RCW 70A.222.040)
- Enacted by
- HB 2658 (2018), Laws of 2018 chapter 138
- Enacted or adopted
- March 21, 2018
- Status
- In force
- Source
- https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=70A.222.070
How it defines PFAS
a class of fluorinated organic chemicals containing at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom" (for the purposes of food packaging, RCW 70A.222.010(5))
Intentionally added
Not defined. The ban covers food packaging "to which PFAS chemicals have been intentionally added in any amount" (RCW 70A.222.070(1)).
Exemptions
- Applies only to food packaging comprised in substantial part of paper, paperboard or other plant-fiber material.
- Only applications for which Ecology found safer alternatives are banned.
Penalties. Chapter 70A.222 RCW has no civil penalty section. Ecology may prohibit sale of a package when a manufacturer fails to provide a requested certificate of compliance within 60 days (RCW 70A.222.040, 70A.222.060).
Washington
Safer Products for Washington: PFAS restrictions and reporting (Cycle 1 and Cycle 1.5 rules)
- Citation
- Chapter 70A.350 RCW (PFAS products: RCW 70A.350.090); WAC 173-337-110
- Enacted by
- SB 5135 (2019), Laws of 2019 ch. 292; amended by HB 1694 (2022), Laws of 2022 ch. 264 (added RCW 70A.350.090), and Laws of 2024 ch. 343 (program timeline). Rules: WSR 23-12-044 (Cycle 1) and WSR 25-24-007 (Cycle 1.5).
- Enacted or adopted
- May 8, 2019
- Status
- Partly in force
- Source
- https://app.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=173-337-110
How it defines PFAS
a class of fluorinated organic chemicals containing at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom" (RCW 70A.350.010(10); WAC 173-337-025)
Intentionally added
a chemical that serves an intended function in the final product or in the manufacturing of the product or part of the product. Chemicals present from the use of recycled materials are not considered 'intentionally added priority chemicals.'" (WAC 173-337-025)
Exemptions
- Products manufactured before a restriction's effective date, including refurbished products and their repair parts (WAC 173-337-055, -110).
- Chemicals present from recycled materials are not intentionally added.
- PFAS used as a propellant in automotive washes and cleaning products.
- Case-by-case exemption requests; a requester is temporarily exempt until Ecology decides (WAC 173-337-020).
- If EPA or CPSC preempts a restriction, reporting under WAC 173-337-060 applies instead (WAC 173-337-040).
Penalties. Civil penalty up to $5,000 per violation for a first offense and up to $10,000 per repeat offense; appealable to the Pollution Control Hearings Board (RCW 70A.350.070; WAC 173-337-030).
Washington
Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act
- Citation
- RCW 70A.560.020(1)(b); chapter 173-339 WAC
- Enacted by
- HB 1047 (2023), Laws of 2023 ch. 455; rule WSR 25-18-057 (chapter 173-339 WAC)
- Enacted or adopted
- May 15, 2023
- Status
- In force
- Source
- https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=70A.560.020
How it defines PFAS
Same as RCW 70A.350.010: "a class of fluorinated organic chemicals containing at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom" (RCW 70A.560.010(5))
Intentionally added
Statute does not define it. From Jan. 1, 2027, WAC 173-339-020 applies: "a chemical that serves an intended function in" the cosmetic product or an ingredient in the cosmetic product.
Exemptions
- FDA-approved prescription drugs are not cosmetic products.
- Ingredients regulated as drugs by FDA are not restricted, though the product's other ingredients are.
Penalties. Civil penalty up to $5,000 per violation for a first offense and up to $10,000 per repeat offense (RCW 70A.560.030(4)).
Washington
Firefighting agents and equipment law
- Citation
- Chapter 70A.400 RCW (RCW 70A.400.010 to 70A.400.060)
- Enacted by
- SB 6413 (2018), Laws of 2018 ch. 286; amended by Laws of 2020 ch. 23 (terminal, chemical plant and refinery provisions)
- Enacted or adopted
- March 27, 2018
- Status
- In force
- Source
- https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=70A.400&full=true
How it defines PFAS
a class of fluorinated organic chemicals containing at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom" (for firefighting agents and equipment, RCW 70A.400.005(7))
Exemptions
- Uses required by federal law until Ecology's finding plus two years (RCW 70A.400.020(2)).
- Waivers for terminals, chemical plants and refineries (RCW 70A.400.020(3)(b)).
- Mutual aid between refineries or terminals during a class B fire (RCW 70A.400.020(3)(c)).
Penalties. Civil penalty up to $5,000 per violation for a first offense and up to $10,000 per repeat offense (RCW 70A.400.060).
Timeline
- February 1, 2023 Took effect
First food packaging ban took effect (wraps, plates, food boats, pizza boxes). Source - May 15, 2023 Enacted
Governor signed the Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act (HB 1047). Source - May 31, 2023 Rule
Ecology adopted the Cycle 1 Safer Products rule (WSR 23-12-044), effective July 1, 2023. Source - January 1, 2024 Took effect
Reporting for PFAS in outdoor furniture and furnishings took effect; the AFFF sales ban began to apply to terminals, chemical plants and refineries. Source - May 1, 2024 Took effect
Second food packaging ban took effect (bags and sleeves, bowls, flat serviceware, open-top and closed containers). Source - January 1, 2025 Took effect
Bans took effect on PFAS in carpets and rugs, aftermarket stain and water resistance treatments, and cosmetics. Source - January 31, 2025 Reporting
First notices due for PFAS in outdoor leather and textile furniture and furnishings. Source - August 28, 2025 Rule
Ecology adopted chapter 173-339 WAC, defining intentionally added for cosmetics from Jan. 1, 2027. Source - September 30, 2025 Took effect
AFFF sales to Part 139 airports prohibited, per Ecology. Source - November 20, 2025 Rule
Ecology adopted the Cycle 1.5 PFAS rule (WSR 25-24-007), effective Dec. 21, 2025. Source - January 1, 2026 Took effect
Ban on PFAS in indoor furniture and furnishings took effect; Cycle 1.5 reporting requirements took effect; cosmetics retailer sell-through ended. Source
Checked and set aside
- Washington does not ban PFAS in ski wax or firefighter gear. Both are reporting categories under the 2025 rule.