December ’23 at-a-glance … environment

California’s 2023 PFAS labeling regulation subject of attorney general enforcement initiative 

A reminder to members that California issued an enforcement advisory letter to manufacturers, distributors and sellers of cookware, alerting them to their obligations under Assembly Bill 1200 (AB 1200) that took effect Jan. 1. The bill requires manufacturers of cookware to disclose the presence of PFAS and certain other chemicals on the internet or product label, and prohibits manufacturers from claiming their cookware is PFAS-free, unless certain conditions are met. NAFEM held a webinar Dec. 15 to discuss AB 1200, as well as California’s Proposition 65 labeling requirements. Contact advocacy@nafem.org for a link to the webinar.  

EPA accelerates efforts to remove 100% of lead pipes 

The EPA proposed Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) would require U.S. water systems to replace lead service lines within 10 years. According to the agency, “The use of lead pipes was banned in the 1980s, yet there are over 9 million lead service lines delivering water to families in neighborhoods across America. These lead pipes have been hidden underground for decades and pose an ever-present risk to the health and wellbeing of Americans. These lead pipes remain disproportionately concentrated in low-income and people of color communities.” A public meeting will be held Jan. 16, 2024 and comments are due Feb. 5, 2024. Details are in the Federal Register notice linked above.