Bill
Bill > S461
NJ S461
NJ S461Restricts phosphorus content and requires labelling thereof for household cleansing products.
summary
Introduced
01/09/2024
01/09/2024
In Committee
01/09/2024
01/09/2024
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/12/2026
01/12/2026
Introduced Session
2024-2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill would restrict the amount of phosphorus in household cleansing products and require wrappers and containers for such products to include certain information on phosphorous content. The bill would prohibit the distribution, sale, or offer for sale in the State of any household cleansing product unless the product wrapper or container is labeled in accordance with the requirements of the bill. The bill would require a wrapper or container of a household cleansing product to list the percentage by weight of phosphorous in the container and the weight, in grams per recommended use level, of phosphorous, and conform to any other requirements established by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The bill would also generally prohibit any household cleansing product from being distributed, sold, or offered for sale in the State if it contains a phosphorus compound other than trace concentrations. However, a household cleansing product could be distributed, sold, or offered for sale in the State if it contains a phosphorus compound not more than: 0.5 percent by weight, for a product used in dishwashers; and 8.7 percent by weight for a product used in food and beverage processing equipment and dairy equipment. A person could distribute, sell, or offer for sale existing stock of household cleansing products only for a period of up to one year beyond the date of enactment of this bill into law. A person who violates the labeling requirement or sale restrictions, set forth in section 2 and 3 of the bill, would be subject to a penalty of not less than $500 nor more than $1,000 for each offense. If the violation is of a continuing nature, each day during which it continues would constitute an additional, separate, and distinct offense. Under the bill, the DEP would be authorized to adopt rules and regulations to require manufacturers of household cleansing products to submit certain information to the DEP, which would also be posted on the DEP website.
AI Summary
This bill aims to reduce phosphorus in household cleaning products by restricting its content and requiring clear labeling. Specifically, it mandates that the wrappers or containers of these products must list the percentage of phosphorus by weight and the weight of phosphorus per recommended use, with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) able to set additional requirements. Generally, household cleaning products will be prohibited from containing phosphorus compounds beyond trace amounts, with exceptions for dishwasher products (up to 0.5% by weight) and products used for food, beverage, and dairy equipment (up to 8.7% by weight). Existing stock of these products will have a one-year grace period after the bill becomes law. Violators of labeling or sale restrictions will face penalties of $500 to $1,000 per offense, with each day of a continuing violation counting as a separate offense. The DEP is also authorized to collect and publicly post information from manufacturers about their products, including research on health and environmental effects, while protecting legitimate trade secrets.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Environment and Energy Committee (on 01/09/2024)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/S461 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S0500/461_I1.HTM |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/S0500/461_I1.HTM |
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