It’s Time for Textile Certifications to Be Part of the PFAS Solution

April 19, 2022

Renee Sharp

Textile certifiers are lagging behind what is happening around the country as states and companies take action to address PFAS in textilesSafer States, Natural Resources Defense Council, Toxic-Free Future, and nine other environmental organizations from around the country recently sent letters to the major textile certifiers AFIRM, bluesign®, OEKO-TEX® and ZDHC, urging them to update their standards to address the entire class of PFAS. 

 

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Certification Meter

REI Earns ‘F’ Grade in New Scorecard on Toxic “Forever Chemicals” Commitments by Major Retailers

April 06, 2022

Press Statement

Today, NRDC, Fashion FWD, and U.S. PIRG Education Fund released a scorecard ranking PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) policy commitments from 30 popular retail and apparel brands, giving REI a failing ‘F’ grade for its incomplete commitment that excluded many PFAS (also known as “forever chemicals”). Conversely, competitor Patagonia earned a ‘B’—the highest grade of all the outdoor apparel brands surveyed—and is the only outdoor brand with a commitment to phase out all PFAS in all products by 2024.

 

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NRDC Scorecard Report Cover Page

Washington Governor signs bill aimed at phasing out PFAS “forever chemicals” by 2025 — the fastest PFAS timeline in the nation

March 31, 2022

Press Statement

Today, Washington Governor Jay Inslee signed a bill (HB 1694) into law that will tackle PFAS “forever chemicals” in a broad range of products on the fastest timeline in the nation, by 2025. Product categories include apparel, cosmetics, and firefighter personal protective equipment. Rep. Liz Berry (D-Seattle) sponsored the measure, which received broad bipartisan support.

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Polluted Polly Applauds Burger King for Taking Action Against Toxic PFAS Chemicals

March 30, 2022

Polluted Polly

Hi friends, Polluted Polly here! We probably met last year as I launched my neighbor-to-neighbor push to ban toxic chemicals like PFAS, otherwise known as the ”forever chemicals,” in food packaging. I’ve traveled the country and met so many great friends and leaders, from state legislators working to pass laws that protect our health, to concerned families living with PFAS-contaminated water, to health professionals wanting to reduce exposure to PFAS especially during the time of COVID. I’ve learned a lot on my journey.

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Polluted Polly at Burger King

Don’t be Fooled by False Solutions to the Plastic Crisis

March 08, 2022

Renee Sharp

In a historic move, world leaders from 175 nations recently agreed to begin working toward an international agreement to address the entire lifecycle of plastic and create rules around its production, use, and disposal. In response, Unilever—a major corporation contributing to the problem—tweeted: “Plastic pollution is fixable, but the world needs a plan.” 

So, what is their “plan” to address plastic pollution?

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plastics incineration 1

2022 Analysis of State Legislation on PFAS and other Toxic Chemicals

February 03, 2022

Sarah Doll

Safer States analyzed state-level policies on toxic chemical regulation, finding that at least 32 states will consider policies in 2022. Safer States anticipates that at least 210 policies will be under consideration in 2022 and efforts to combat toxic PFAS chemicals will continue to be the most prevalent issue.

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New analysis finds toxic “forever chemicals” regulation and clean-up will significantly drive 2022 state policies on toxic chemicals

February 03, 2022

Press Release

Safer States today released its annual analysis of anticipated state policies across the country on toxic chemical laws, predicting that toxic “forever chemical” regulation and clean-up will significantly drive this year’s state-level policies on toxic chemicals. Similar to 2021, efforts to combat toxic PFAS (poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances) are expected to continue to be the most prevalent issue in state policy across the United States.

 

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2022 Policy Map Final 1.26.2022

U.S. Plastics Pact moves to eliminate certain toxic chemicals and materials in plastic packaging

January 25, 2022

Press Statement

Today, the US Plastic Pact released their list of “problematic and unnecessary” materials to be eliminated in plastic packaging. The pact includes PVC and polystyrene on the list and prompts voluntary elimination by 2025.

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New York Governor Signs First-in-Nation Restrictions on Toxic Flame Retardants

January 03, 2022

Press Statement

On December 31, 2021, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed into law a groundbreaking bipartisan bill restricting the use of flame retardants in furniture, mattresses, and electronic displays. While several states have passed similar legislation, New York is now the first in the U.S. to also include a prohibition on organohalogen flame retardants (OFRs) in electronic enclosures such as televisions. This new law mirrors a similar prohibition adopted by the European Union.

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A Year in Review: States Continue to Lead on Toxic Chemical Reform

December 21, 2021

Eduardo Valenzuela

What a year! In 2021 states have once again stepped up and created incentives for safer chemistries, materials as well as protections from toxic chemicals. Using PFAS as a way to highlight the problem, states drove a big toxics agenda including pushing for a class-based restriction of toxic chemicals, transparency about what chemicals are in what products, and identification of safer materials and processes. 

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New Year