Product safety: consumer products: perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

Senator Hurtado's proposal to restrict perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in consumer products would prohibit the distribution and sale of seven product categories containing intentionally added PFAS starting January 1, 2027. The affected categories include artificial turf, carpets and rugs, cleaning products, cookware, dental floss, fabric treatments, and upholstered furniture.

The Department of Toxic Substances Control would gain authority to expand these restrictions to additional consumer product categories where safer alternatives exist at comparable costs. The department must allow an 18-month transition period after adopting any new product category restrictions. The bill exempts several product types from these requirements, including used items offered for resale, FDA-approved drugs and medical devices, and products containing fluoropolymers.

The restrictions would operate within California's existing PFAS regulatory framework, utilizing current mechanisms for manufacturer registration, compliance certification, product testing, and enforcement through administrative penalties and injunctive relief. The bill's findings note the presence of certain PFAS chemicals in drinking water and groundwater while acknowledging that fluoropolymers, a subset of PFAS, possess distinct properties warranting continued use in essential applications like infrastructure and healthcare.