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Rhode Island

Rhode Island has struggled with making progress on developing and implementing public policy on toxins in consumer products and home goods. Although Rhode Island is a small state, the presence of corporate headquarters for companies such as Hasboro and CVS means that any policies would have a significant impact on their product lines.

This challenge provides an opportunity. Thanks to the great work in other states, we are able to demonstrate a broad base of support for significant change in this industry where corporate entities are hesitant to engage in the public policy debates. This has provided an opportunity to push for direct conversation and negotiation with major brands to begin changing internal design, manufacturing, purchasing and marketing decisions, in order to achieve the same goals that have been realized in other states through legislative efforts.

rhodeisland

Rhode Island Partners

State Progress

Bill Tracker for Rhode Island

Current Policy

Chemical Prioritization / Disclosure / Phase-out ,
PFAS ,
Food Packaging ,
Chemicals used in Cleaning, Cosmetics and Construction
S.B.16: Prohibits the use of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances in carpets, upholstered furniture, textile furnishings, apparel, cosmetics juvenile products, cookware and firefighting foam and gives authority to the department of environmental management to regulate the use.
Chemical Prioritization / Disclosure / Phase-out ,
Toxic Chemicals General
H.B.5104: Requires that all cosmetics manufactured, sold, delivered, or held for offering to be sold contain a label that completely and accurately lists all of their component ingredients.
PFAS ,
Chemicals used in Cleaning, Cosmetics and Construction
S.B.196: Prohibits the use of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances in various products, including but not limited to, carpets, rugs, cookware, cosmetics, firefighting foam and various other items. This act would also give authority to the department of environmental management to regulate the use of PFAS.
PFAS ,
Chemicals used in Cleaning, Cosmetics and Construction
H.B.5673: Prohibits the use of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances in various products, including but not limited to, carpets, rugs, cookware, cosmetics, firefighting foam and various other items. This act would also give authority to the department of environmental management to regulate the use of PFAS.
Lead
H.B.5007: Establishes a lead water supply replacement program for public and private service lines and requires disclosure to tenants and buyers of real property of the presence of lead service lines.
Lead
S.B.2: Establishes a lead water supply replacement program for public and private service lines and requires disclosure to tenants and buyers of real property of the presence of lead service lines.
Mercury
S.B.1119: Prohibits the sale or distribution of fluorescent lamps containing mercury.
Mercury
H.B.5550: Prohibits the sale or distribution of fluorescent lamps containing mercury.
PFAS
H.B.5086: Prohibits the marketing or sale of consumer products labeled as "compostable" if the product has a total organic fluorine concentration of greater than one hundred parts per million (100 ppm).
Toxic Chemicals General,
Plastics
H.B.5091: Establishes a packaging reduction and recycling program. Requires state department to establish toxic reduction requirements.
Toxic Chemicals General,
Plastics
S.B.15: Prohibits state purchases of plastic bottles, bags and polystyrene.
Toxic Chemicals General
H.B.5142: Prohibits the construction or operation of a new high-heat waste facility.

Adopted Policy

Chemical Prioritization / Disclosure / Phase-out ,
PFAS ,
Food Packaging
SB 2044: Prohibits the sale or promotional distribution of any food package in Rhode Island which contains perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, effective January 1, 2024. (Adopted in 2022)
PFAS ,
Food Packaging
HB 7438: Prohibits the sale or promotional distribution of any food package in Rhode Island which contains perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, effective January 1, 2024. (Adopted in 2022)
Mercury ,
Heavy Metals
H 7199: Bans mercury-containing thermostats unless the manufacturer submits a plan for a collection program. Prohibits a thermostat wholesaler from selling or distributing any thermostat unless the wholesaler acts as a collection site, and promotes and utilizes the collection containers provided by thermostat manufacturers. (Adopted in 2010)
Mercury ,
Heavy Metals
H 8639: Urges the Mercury Reduction Oversight Commission to develop a plan to address the collection and recycling of mercury added auto parts. (Adopted in 2004)
Mercury ,
Heavy Metals
S 3209: Urges the Mercury Reduction Oversight Commission to develop a plan to address the collection and recycling of mercury-added auto parts. (Adopted in 2004)
PFAS
HB 7233: Requires for the department of health to take action to establish maximum contaminant levels for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in drinking water and set interim standards. The act would also provide that the department of environmental management set standards for PFAS in ground and surface waters, and adopt standards for PFAS monitoring at landfills. (Adopted in 2022)
PFAS
SB 2298: Authorizes the department of health to take action to establish maximum contaminate levels for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in drinking water and set interim standards. The act would also provide that the department of environmental management set standards for PFAS in ground and surface waters, and adopt standards for PFAS monitoring at landfills. (Adopted in 2022)
PFAS
H.B.5861: Provides that water supply systems with PFAS contaminants that exceed the interim drinking water standard be required to enter into a consent agreement with department of health to implement treatment to reduce the levels of PFAS contaminants.  (Adopted in 2023)
PFAS
S.B.724: Provides that water supply systems that have PFAS contaminants that exceed the interim drinking water standard be required to enter into a consent agreement with department of health to implement treatment to reduce the levels of PFAS contaminants. (Adopted in 2023)
Toxic Chemicals General,
Plastics
S.B.14: Prohibits a covered establishment from preparing, selling, processing or providing food or beverages in or on a disposable food service container that is composed in whole or in part of polystyrene foam. (Adopted in 2023)
Toxic Chemicals General,
Plastics
H.B.5090: Prohibits a covered establishment from preparing, selling, processing or providing food or beverages in or on a disposable food service container that is composed in whole or in part of polystyrene foam. (Adopted in 2023)
Toxic Flame Retardants
H 5082: Prohibits the manufacture and sale of residential upholstered bedding and furniture containing toxic flame retardants. (Adopted in 2017)
Toxic Flame Retardants
HB 7917: Restricts the manufacturing or distribution of flame retardants containing pentaBDE or octaBDE, and requires study on decaBDE. (Adopted in 2006)

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