New York Expands PFAS Apparel Ban

The New York state legislature has passed a bill (S.1322/A.994) to modify previous legislation that largely bans per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances ("PFAS") in clothing and apparel by 2025 that was signed into law by Governor Kathy Hochul in the final hours of 2022.

In agreeing to the ban, Governor Hochul called upon the legislature to amend the law to provide clarity on several specifics, including the scope of products covered, timing and enforcement mechanisms.

Accordingly, the amended legislation expands the scope of the ban to capture the use of intentionally added PFAS in a broader range of apparel, including clothing items intended for "regular wear or formal occasions including, but not limited to, undergarments, shirts, pants, skirts, dresses, overalls, bodysuits, vests, dancewear, suits, saris, scarves, tops, leggings, leisurewear, formal wear," outdoor apparel and children's clothes, including onesies, bibs and diapers. Previously, outdoor apparel and