Which US states ban PFAS in cosmetics?

As of 2026, states with PFAS cosmetic bans include California, Colorado, Maryland, Minnesota, Vermont, and Washington, with more states introducing legislation. Each state has different definitions of PFAS, different thresholds, and different effective dates. Our PFAS State Tracker monitors 16+ states with ban details, penalties, and enforcement dates.

What are PFAS forever chemicals in cosmetics?

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are synthetic chemicals used in cosmetics for water resistance, skin conditioning, and texture. Called 'forever chemicals' because they don't break down naturally. Common PFAS in cosmetics include PTFE (Teflon), perfluorodecalin, and polyfluoroethylene. Multiple US states and the EU are banning intentionally added PFAS in cosmetics.

How do I check if my cosmetic product contains PFAS?

The PFAS State Tracker cross-references your ingredient list against known PFAS substances and checks compliance with each state's specific ban. It identifies both intentionally added PFAS ingredients and flags ingredients that may contain PFAS as contaminants, with applicable penalties and deadlines per state.

🚨 16+ States with PFAS Bans

PFAS State Ban Tracker

Track "forever chemicals" bans in US cosmetics state by state

Active Now

2026

2027

2028+

What are PFAS?

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) are synthetic chemicals known as "forever chemicals" because they don't break down in the environment or human body.

Common PFAS in Cosmetics:

PTFE (Teflon) PFOA PFOS Perfluoro compounds Fluoropolymers

Health Concerns:

• Hormone disruption
• Immune system effects
• Potential carcinogenicity
• Reproductive toxicity
• Bioaccumulation in body

Found In:

Foundations, concealers, lip products, mascaras, eyeliners, setting sprays, waterproof formulas

State-by-State Tracker

🔴 ACTIVE NOW (Jan 1, 2025)

California ACTIVE

AB 2762

Threshold: 100 ppm TOF (50 ppm from 2027)

Penalty: Up to $10,000/violation

Colorado ACTIVE

HB 1032

Penalty: $5,000-$10,000/violation

Maryland ACTIVE

HB 341

Note: 13 specific PFAS compounds

Minnesota ACTIVE

MN 116.943

Penalty: $10,000 minimum

Washington ACTIVE

HB 1202

Penalty: $5,000-$10,000/violation

🟠 EFFECTIVE 2026 (Jan 1, 2026)

Maine 2026

LD 1537

Vermont 2026

S.25

Connecticut 2026

HB 6122

Phase 1: Labeling 2026

Phase 2: Full ban 2028

Penalty: $10,000/violation

🟡 EFFECTIVE 2027 (Jan 1, 2027)

New Hampshire 2027

HB 1649

Oregon 2027

SB 546

Rhode Island 2027

H 7356

California 2027

Threshold tightens

New threshold: 50 ppm TOF

🟣 EFFECTIVE 2028+

New Jersey 2028

S-1042

New Mexico 2028

HB 71

Penalty: $10,000-$25,000 (HIGHEST)

Illinois 2032

HB 2516

Note: Longest timeline (6.5 years)

Penalty: $10,000 minimum

🌍 INTERNATIONAL PFAS RESTRICTIONS

🇫🇷 France ACTIVE

Decree No. 2025-1376 / Law No. 2025-188

Effective: January 1, 2026

Scope: ENTIRE PFAS class — no specific list

Covers: Manufacture, import, export, sale

Transition: Products made before Jan 1, 2026 can sell until Dec 31, 2026

First EU country with national PFAS cosmetics ban

🇪🇺 EU (REACH) OCT 2026

REACH Annex XVII — PFHxA Restriction

Effective: October 10, 2026

Limit 1: ≥25 ppb PFHxA + salts = BANNED

Limit 2: ≥1,000 ppb PFHxA-related = BANNED

Testing: LC-MS/MS required

First EU-wide hard PFAS ban with ppm thresholds

🇳🇿 New Zealand 2027

Cosmetic Products Group Standard 2020 — Schedule 4

Scope: COMPLETE PFAS ban — entire class prohibited

Phase 1: No import/manufacture after Dec 31, 2026

Phase 2: No sales after Dec 31, 2027

Phase 3: Disposal by Jun 30, 2028

Potentially world-first complete national PFAS ban in cosmetics

🇧🇷 Brazil MONITORING

National PFAS Strategy (in development)

Status: Policy direction signaled, no ban yet

Scope: Cosmetics explicitly within strategy scope

Catalyst: France ban + EU PFHxA likely to accelerate

Implement PFAS risk register now as forward-compliance

Check Your Ingredients for PFAS

PFAS Testing Methods

Source: EPA methods, CIC standards, pfas_methods_summary.csv KB data

EU PFAS Regulation

EU PFAS Restriction Proposal

The EU has proposed the broadest PFAS restriction globally — covering all PFAS (estimated 10,000+ substances) in all products. Decision expected 2025-2027.

REACH PFAS Dossier

Five EU member states (Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden) submitted the universal PFAS restriction proposal to ECHA in January 2023.

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