Press Statements

The rule will make it easier to hold polluters accountable for cleaning up their toxic contamination Safer States and Toxic-Free Future applaud this important step while urging EPA to take the next step and list all PFAS as hazardous under Superfund WASHINGTON, DC⸺Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a final rule to designate […]

The commitment follows states such as Michigan, Colorado, Washington that are restricting the purchase of PFAS-containing products  Safer States applauds the move and urges similar actions for other product categories like building materials PORTLAND, OR⸺Earlier this week, the Biden-Harris Administration announced it is directing government contractors to purchase cleaning products for federal buildings that are […]

Commitment comes after years of PFAS action by states and leading retailers nationwide  Safer States and Toxic-Free Future applaud EPA’s record low drinking water standards WASHINGTON, DC⸺Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced final drinking water standards for six individual PFAS “forever chemicals” including PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS, HFPO-DA (GenX), and PFBS. This is […]

Bans of PFAS in food packaging are the result of state laws and corporate actions Health advocates agree that FDA’s announcement is a step forward but more must be done to protect public health SEATTLE, WA—The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) yesterday announced progress on a voluntary agreement from 2020 with PFAS manufacturers to end sales of […]

UPDATE: As of April 16, 2024, thirty State Attorneys General have initiated PFAS litigation. This year alone, 13 AGs initiated lawsuits against “forever chemicals”—totaling 27 AGs taking action to date Safer States applauds Attorneys Generals’ actions to hold polluters accountable and secure resources to help clean up communities PORTLAND, OR—The Attorney General of South Carolina recently became […]

Outdoor athletic retailer Dick’s Sporting Goods quietly announced it will ban PFAS "forever chemicals"in its own-brand textile products. This action was part of a major update to its Restricted Substance List (RSL) created in March. The company is one of the largest sporting retailers in the nation, operating more than 850 stores and, as of 2022, earning $12.37 billion in sales.

PORTLAND, OR⸺Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signed into law the first-ever ban in the U.S. on PFAS “forever chemicals” in cookware, dental floss, and menstrual products as part of the broadest PFAS policy package in the country. The new law bans all uses of PFAS in products by 2032—except those that are necessary for public health, requires manufacturers to report their use of PFAS in products to the state by 2026, and bans specific uses in several products starting in 2025.

Today, the Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act (HB 1047)—sponsored by Washington State Representative Sharlett Mena (29th Legislative District)—was signed by Governor Inslee, making it the strongest law in the nation regulating cosmetics and personal care products.

Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced drinking water standards for six individual PFAS “forever chemicals” including PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS, HFPO-DA (GenX), and PFBS.  This is the first time that drinking water standards have been proposed for a new chemical under the Safe Drinking Water Act since it was updated in 1996.

Yesterday, leading outdoor retailer REI announced it will ban PFAS "forever chemicals" in all textile products and cookware from its suppliers, in a major update to its “Product Impact Standards” for its 1,000+ brand partners. REI’s new policy commitment comes more than a year after the launch of the nationwide marketplace campaign, REI, time to “opt-out” of PFAS, led by the Mind the Store program of Toxic-Free Future in partnership with Safer States and other organizations. REI’s announcement also comes after numerous states have taken regulatory action on PFAS in apparel and cookware.