Bill
Bill > S1221
NJ S1221
NJ S1221"Protecting Against Forever Chemicals Act"; establishes requirements, prohibitions, and programs for regulation of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill would prohibit the sale of certain products containing intentionally added perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), require greater transparency in the labeling of cookware products containing PFAS, establish a source reduction program concerning the proper management of PFAS, and appropriate money for PFAS-related research. As defined in the bill, "PFAS" means substances that include any member of the class of fluorinated organic chemicals containing at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom. Specifically, the bill would prohibit, beginning two years after the bill's effective date, the sale, offer for sale, or distribution of cosmetics, carpets, fabric treatment, and food packaging that contain intentionally added PFAS. In addition, the bill would require, beginning two years after the bill's effective date, manufacturers of certain cookware sold in the State that contains intentionally added PFAS in the handle of the product or in any product surface that comes into contact with food, foodstuffs, or beverages to list the presence of PFAS on the product label. Beginning two years after the bill's effective date, the sale, offer for sale, and distribution of cookware that contains PFAS would be prohibited unless the cookware product and the manufacturer of the cookware has complied with the bill's cookware labeling requirements. Under the bill, any cookware product with a product label that lists the presence of PFAS pursuant to another state or federal law would be deemed in compliance with the bill's labeling requirements. The bill would also require the DEP to recommend to the Legislature consumer products, in addition to those prohibited from being sold, offered for sale, or distributed pursuant to the bill, by category or use that should not be sold, offered for sale, or distributed for sale in this State if they contain intentionally added PFAS. Under the bill, the DEP would have the authority to audit or investigate a manufacturer of a product covered under the bill to assess the 2 manufacturer's compliance with the bill's provisions. The bill would provide that any proprietary information or trade secrets included in any written notification, certification, or any other record submitted to the DEP pursuant to the bill would be required to be kept confidential from the general public pursuant to P.L.1963, c.73 (C.47:1A-1 et seq.), commonly known as the open public records act. The bill would require the DEP to establish, no later than one year after the bill's effective date, a source reduction program to reduce the presence of PFAS in the State's air, water, and soil by encouraging the proper management of materials that contain PFAS and the use of safer alternatives. The program would be required to include certain items enumerated in subsection a. of section 12 of the bill. The bill would also require the DEP to conduct PFAS-related research and comprehensive monitoring and testing of the presence and impact of PFAS on the environmental media within the State, including air, water, biota, sediment, and soil. The DEP's research would be required to include certain items enumerated in subsection b. of section 13 of the bill. No later than two years after the bill's effective date, and annually thereafter, the DEP would be required to submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature summarizing their research findings and activities and providing recommendations for programs, policies, and legislation to address the presence of PFAS in the State. Finally, the bill would appropriate $5 million to the DEP for the purposes of implementing the source reduction program, conducting PFAS-related research, and monitoring and testing environmental media, such as air, water, and soil, for PFAS pursuant to the bill.
AI Summary
This bill, titled the "Protecting Against Forever Chemicals Act," aims to regulate perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as "forever chemicals" due to their persistence in the environment and potential health risks. Starting two years after the bill becomes law, it will prohibit the sale of cosmetics, carpets, fabric treatments, and food packaging that intentionally contain PFAS, which are defined as man-made chemicals with at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom used to impart specific properties like water or stain resistance. Additionally, manufacturers of certain cookware containing intentionally added PFAS in food-contact surfaces or handles will be required to clearly label their products as containing PFAS, and after the same two-year period, cookware will be prohibited from sale unless it meets these labeling requirements, with exemptions for products already complying with other state or federal PFAS labeling laws. The bill also mandates the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to establish a source reduction program within one year to minimize PFAS in the state's air, water, and soil by promoting proper management and safer alternatives, and to conduct extensive research and monitoring of PFAS presence and impact across various environmental media. The DEP will report its findings and recommendations annually to the Governor and Legislature, and the bill appropriates $5 million to fund these programs, research, and monitoring efforts, while also protecting proprietary information submitted to the DEP.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Sponsors (5)
Last Action
Withdrawn Because Approved P.L.2025, c.202. (on 01/13/2026)
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/2026/S1221 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S1500/1221_I1.HTM |
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