SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, has published SafeGuardS 071.24 to keep stakeholders up to date with revisions to the US state of Maine’s law governing products containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

On April 16, 2024, the governor of Maine signed into law LD 1537 (Chapter 630). This revises LD 1503 (Chapter 477), codified as 38 MRSA §1614 ‘Products Containing PFAS’, which originally became law in July 2021 without the signature of the governor.

LD 1503:
• Directs manufacturers to notify the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) by January 1, 2025, if their products contain intentionally added PFAS
• Bans carpets, rugs and fabric treatments from January 1, 2023, if these contain intentionally added PFAS
• Prohibits products containing intentionally added PFAS from January 1, 2030, unless the DEP has determined by rule that the use of PFAS is unavoidable

The revisions to this law introduced by LD 1537 include:
• Clarification that ‘carpet or rug’ is a consumer product made from natural or synthetic fabric intended to be used as a floor covering inside commercial or residential buildings
• Adds several new terms and definitions, including:
o Adult mattresses
o Aerosol propellants
o Air care products
o Aircraft
o Architectural products
o Artificial turfs
o Automotive maintenance products
o Cleaning products
o Cookware
o Cosmetics
o Foams
o Juvenile products
o Medical devices
o Off-highway vehicles
o Outdoor apparel for severe wet conditions
o Refrigerants
o Ski wax
o Textiles & textile articles
o Upholstered furniture
o Vehicles
• Mandates manufacturers to notify the DEP with specific information and pay a potential fee if the product contains intentionally added PFAS and for which the DEP has determined that the use of PFAS in the product is currently unavoidable, unless the manufacturer employs no more than 100 people or has a waiver
• Exempts products from the 2032 general product prohibition if the DEP determines by rule that the use of PFAS in the product is currently unavoidable

SGS experts publish SafeGuardS to keep stakeholders informed about regulatory and market changes that can impact their ability to trade. SafeGuardS 071.24 provides a useful summary of the latest amendments to Maine’s rules for PFAS and contains a table with highlights of the product prohibits, including effective dates for each product category.

Stakeholders should review SGS’s original SafeGuardS 071.24 for more details.

SGS Chemical Testing
SGS offers a comprehensive range of testing services to help manufacturers and suppliers ensure their products are safe and comply with national and international regulations concerning harmful chemicals. In the end, it’s only trusted because it’s tested. Learn more about SGS Chemical Testing Services. [www.sgs.com/en/services/chemicals-testing]

SGS SafeGuardS keep you up to date with the latest news and developments in the consumer goods industry. Read the full Maine, USA, Revises Law on Products Containing PFAS SafeGuardS. [www.sgs.com/en/news/2024/05/safeguards-7124-maine-usa-revises-law-on-products-containing-pfas]

Subscribe here, www.sgs.com/subscribesg, to receive SGS SafeGuardS direct to your inbox.

For further information contact:

Dr. HingWo Tsang
Global Information and Innovation Manager
Tel: (+852) 2774 7420

Melanie Tamayo
Senior Technical Manager, SGS NA.
Tel: + 1 312 414 9394

Email: [email protected]
Website: www.sgs.com/cp
LinkedIn: SGS Connectivity & Products

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