In an article published on February 26, 2018, law firm Keller & Heckman LLP informed about a prospective U.S. state legislation concerning the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in food packaging. A bill currently under scrutiny in the Washington State Senate would “conditionally restrict the use of perfluorinated chemicals in food packaging beginning in 2021, pending the outcome of an alternatives assessment to be completed by the state’s Department of Ecology (ECY).”
This bill “would ban the sale, distribution or use of PFAS chemicals in food packaging,” but only if safer alternatives can indeed be identified. If no alternatives can be identified by 2020, then the ECY will “continue to review the availability of safer alternatives to PFAS[s] in food packaging annually by January 1 each subsequent year until a safer alternative is identified, after which the restrictions will take effect one year later.”
Read more
Keller & Heckman LLP (February 26, 2018). “Proposed Washington State bill would restrict perfluorinated chemicals in food packaging.”
Kelly Franklin (March 8, 2018). “Washington takes aim at PFASs in food packaging, firefighting foams.” Chemical Watch
Tom Neltner (March 8, 2018). “Washington State takes action to eliminate use of PFAS in food packaging.” Environmental Defense Fund
