Maine Prohibits the Sale of Carpets, Rugs and Fabrics with Intentionally Added PFAS

The
US state of Maine bans the sale of carpets, rugs and fabrics with intentionally
added perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

Bill
LD 1503 became public law – “An Act to Stop Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl
Substances Pollution” – on July 15, 2021. Provisions include:

• January
  1, 2023 – manufacturers of products containing an intentionally added PFAS must
  notify the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP):
  • Description
    of product
  • Purpose
    of PFAS
  • Amount
    of PFAS
  • Contact
    details of manufacturer and responsible person
  • Additional
    information established by the department by rule as necessary to implement the
    requirements
• Authorizes
  the state to identify other products from which PFAS can be prohibited

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In
addition, from 2030 products containing intentionally added PFAS will no longer
be allowed for sale within the state, unless the state specifically concludes
that use of PFAS is unavoidable.

PFAS
are used in a wide variety of products, including:

• Firefighting
  foam
• Non-stick
  cookware
• Water-
  and stain-resistant textiles
• Grease-resistant
  food packaging.

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Definitions
in the Act:

• ‘PFAS’
  – substances that include any member of the class of fluorinated organic
  chemicals containing at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom
• ‘Carpet
  or rug’ – fabric marketed or intended for use as a floor covering
• ‘Fabric
  treatment’ – substance applied to fabric to give the fabric one or more
  characteristics, including but not limited to stain resistance or water
  resistance
• ‘Intentionally
  added PFAS’ – PFAS added to a product or one of its product components to
  provide a specific characteristic, appearance or quality or to perform a
  specific function. Also includes any degradation by-products of PFAS
• ‘Currently
  unavoidable use’ – PFAS that the department has determined by rule to be
  essential for health, safety or the functioning of society and for which
  alternatives are not reasonably available

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Stakeholders
are advised to make sure their products conform to Maine law.

SGS Softlines Services

SGS has a worldwide network of over 40
state-of-the-art laboratories specializing in testing of apparel, footwear, and
home textiles. Their committed team is drawn from multi-disciplinary
backgrounds, allowing them to carry out a comprehensive range of physical,
chemical, and functional testing services for components, materials and
finished products. SGS helps companies ensure quality, performance, and
compliance with international, industrial, and regulatory standards worldwide. Learn more about SGS’s Softlines Services.

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industry. Read the full State of Maine
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For
further information contact:

Louann
Spirito
Consumer and Retail — Softlines
US & Canada Softlines Business Head
Tel: +1 973 461 7919

Email:
crs.media@sgs.com

Website:
www.sgs.com/softlines

LinkedIn:
sgs-consumer-goods-&-retail

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