PFAS Chemicals – Product Phase Outs and Registration Requirements

SB 686 prohibits manufacturers from selling, distributing, or offering for sale in Maryland certain products containing intentionally added PFAS chemicals (like cleaning products, cookware, cosmetics, feminine hygiene products, fabric treatments, and intimacy products) after specific dates. It requires registration for products containing PFAS that aren't banned and mandates testing to ensure compliance. The bill creates the Maryland PFAS Chemicals Protection and Remediation Fund, funded by penalties and interest earnings, to provide grants and loans for PFAS-related remediation projects. The law aims to reduce public exposure to these chemicals by phasing out their use in common consumer products while establishing a dedicated fund for cleanup efforts.