Vermont governor approves bill restricting PFAS in more consumer products

Vermont Gov. Phil Scott has signed into law H.238, which implements further restrictions on the use of PFAS in consumer products.

Previously, legislation was adopted in the state under S.25 that restricted PFAS in personal care products, menstrual products, textiles, cookware, rugs and carpets, artificial turf and ski wax, among other products. The new law builds on this legislation, restricting the use of PFAS in firefighting gear, dental floss, cleaning products and fluorine-treated containers.

Manufacturers of firefighting station wear must provide notice of intentionally added PFAS to buyers from now until July 1, 2026, when the requirements for the sale or distribution of apparel containing intentionally added PFAS go into effect.

Effective dates

July 1, 2026

• Requirements for the sale or distribution of apparel containing intentionally added PFAS go into effect

July 1, 2027

• Ban on the sale or distribution of dental floss and cleaning products containing intentionally added PFAS
• Ban on the sale or distribution of fluorine-treated containers with intentionally added PFAS
• Ban on the sale or distribution of consumer products regulated under the act that do not contain intentionally added PFAS

July 1, 2028

• Ban on the sale and distribution of cookware containing intentionally added PFAS (extended from previous legislation)

July 1, 2029

• Ban on the sale or distribution of firefighting PPE containing intentionally added PFAS

Jan. 1, 2032

• Ban on the manufacture, sale or distribution of fluorine-treated containers or any consumer product in a fluorine-treated container

July 1, 2032

• Ban on the sale of respirators and respirator equipment containing intentionally added PFAS

H.238 details: https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Docs/ACTS/ACT054/ACT054%20Act%20Summary.pdf.