A 5048 New Jersey General Assembly · 2026-2027 Regular Session

Prohibits sale, manufacture, and distribution of certain apparel and diaper products containing intentionally added perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances.*

This New Jersey bill prohibits the sale, manufacture, and distribution of apparel containing intentionally added perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) starting two years after the law takes effect. The legislation defines 'apparel' broadly to include clothing, footwear, and outdoor gear, while explicitly excluding personal protective equipment and military uniforms. Violations of the ban will be treated as offenses under existing consumer protection laws, with penalties applied to sellers and manufacturers who distribute non-compliant products.

Issues: ✓ Environment ✓ Veterans

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

May 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced May 11, 2026 Last action Jun 30, 2026

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What changed between versions

Introduced → Reprint · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to expand its scope beyond apparel to also cover diaper products (disposable or reusable absorbent products worn to contain human waste, excluding menstrual products). Diapers were removed from the apparel definition since they now fall under a separate category. A statutory citation for penalties was corrected from C.56:3-63 to C.56:3-62.

SCOPE

Diaper products are now explicitly covered by the ban on PFAS-containing products. A new definition of 'diaper product' was added, covering absorbent products (disposable or reusable) manufactured to be worn to contain human waste, with an exclusion for menstrual products as defined in P.L.2025, c.232.

DEFINITION

Diapers were removed from the list of items included in the 'apparel' definition, since they are now governed under the separate 'diaper product' category.

ENFORCEMENT

The statutory citation for penalties was corrected from C.56:3-63 to C.56:3-62, fixing a cross-reference error in the penalty provision.

TECHNICAL

In the rulemaking section (section 16), 'this act' was replaced with 'P.L.2025, c.202' to clarify which statute's sections DEP may implement through regulations.

Two new co-sponsors were added: Assemblyman Chigozie U. Onyema (District 28) and Assemblywoman Katie Brennan (District 32).

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Full legislative history

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Key actions

Committee

Jun 28, 2026

Committee

Recommitted to Assembly Budget Committee

lower

May 11, 2026

Introduced

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Consumer Affairs Committee

lower

1 primary · 2 co-sponsors