USA - California Bans PFAS in Juvenile Products

​The Governor of the State of California signed AB 652 into law on October 5, prohibiting the use of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in certain juvenile products.

The bill AB 652 prohibits a person, including a manufacturer, from selling or distributing in commerce any new juvenile product that contains intentionally added PFAS or its concentration at or above 100ppm, effective on July 1, 2023.

Juvenile product means a product designed for use by infants and children under 12 years of age. For example:

- ​a baby or toddler foam pillow
- bassinet
- bedside sleeper
- booster seat
- changing pad
- child restraint system for use in motor vehicles and aircraft
- co-sleeper
- crib mattress
- floor playmat
- highchair and highchair pad
- highchair pad
- infant bouncer / carrier / seat / sleep positioner / swing / travel bed / walker
- nap cot
- nursing pad / pillow
- playmat
- playpen
- play yard
- polyurethane foam mat
- stroller
- toddler mattress

Exemptions:

- A children's electronic product, e.g. personal computer, audio and video equipment, calculator, wireless phone, game console, handled device incorporating a video screen, or any associated peripheral (i.e. mouse, keyboard, power supply unit, or power cord)

- A medical device

- Inaccessible parts that would not come into direct contact with a child's skin or mouth during reasonably foreseeable use and abuse of the product

- An adult mattress​