January ’24 at-a-glance … environment

More details on California labeling requirements available in NAFEM webinar

California’s Assembly Bill 1200 requires manufacturers of cookware to disclose the presence of PFAS and more than 3,000 chemicals on the internet and/or product label, and prohibits manufacturers from claiming cookware is PFAS-free, unless certain conditions are met. Cookware is broadly defined as “durable houseware items that are used in homes and restaurants to prepare, dispense, or store food, foodstuffs, or beverages.” Information on specific labeling requirements of the broad-reaching regulation is in a recorded NAFEM webinar. 

Illinois considers restricting sales of products with intentionally added PFAS

A proposal before the Illinois General Assembly – the PFAS Reduction Act (SB2705) – would restrict the sale of specified products with intentionally added PFAS beginning Jan. 1, 2025. Products on the proposed list include cookware currently defined as “durable household items used to prepare, dispense or store food, foodstuffs or beverages.” 

Washington State reintroduces appliance extended producer responsibility bill 

Early this year, Washington House Bill 1164 was reintroduced. The bill calls for the creation of an appliance disposal extended producer responsibility program for commercial refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers and other residential and commercial appliances. If approved, the program would be required to be operational by July 1, 2027. Recovery rates outlined in the proposal are 35% in 2027 and increasing by 5% annually until the rate reaches 80%. The extended producer responsibility program would need to be financially self-sufficient.  

The recommendations are similar to SORAC, the Commercial Appliance Recovery Society formed to meet Quebec’s extended-producer responsibility initiative for commercial and institutional refrigeration and freezer equipment to comply with Recyc-Quebec (R-Q) requirements.