2022 -- S 2049 | |
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LC003244 | |
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND | |
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY | |
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022 | |
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A N A C T | |
RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- PROHIBITION OF PFAS IN FOOD | |
PACKAGING, CLOTHING AND CARPETING ACT | |
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Introduced By: Senators Calkin, Mendes, Anderson, Mack, and Quezada | |
Date Introduced: January 25, 2022 | |
Referred To: Senate Environment & Agriculture | |
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: | |
1 | SECTION 1. Title 23 of the General Laws entitled "HEALTH AND SAFETY" is hereby |
2 | amended by adding thereto the following chapter: |
3 | CHAPTER 25.6 |
4 | PROHIBITION OF PFAS IN FOOD PACKAGING, CLOTHING AND CARPETING ACT |
5 | 23-25.6-1. Short title. |
6 | This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Prohibition of PFAS in Food |
7 | Packaging, Clothing and Carpeting Act". |
8 | 23-25.6-2. Legislative findings. |
9 | It is recognized and acknowledged by the general assembly that: |
10 | (1) PFAS are highly persistent chemicals that are transported long distances in the |
11 | environment. |
12 | (2) United States manufacturers have voluntarily worked to reduce releases of long-chain |
13 | PFAS due to their toxic effects on human health. |
14 | (3) The PFAS with fewer than eight (8) carbon-fluorine bonds currently being used as |
15 | alternatives to PFOA and PFOS are also highly persistent and subject to long-range transport. In |
16 | addition, the alternative PFAS have similar potential for harm as the long-chain PFAS. |
17 | (4) Over two hundred (200) scientists from all over the world have signed a statement |
18 | calling for governments to limit the use of PFAS while studies determine the safety of these |
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1 | chemicals, given their persistence in the environment, potential for harm, and lack of adequate data |
2 | proving safety. |
3 | (5) Food packaging contains PFAS in order to resist grease and other fats from sticking to |
4 | the paper packaging. |
5 | (6) Alternatives are already in use in food packaging. |
6 | (7) PFAS are also present in carpets and clothing, as well as other products, and are |
7 | commonly known by their brand names, when utilized by some products as Teflon and Scotchgard. |
8 | 23-25.6-3. Definitions. |
9 | As used in this chapter: |
10 | (1) "Carpet" or "carpeting" means a floor covering made of fabric. |
11 | (2) "Clothes" or "clothing" means any cloth, leather, or material designed and used for |
12 | covering the body. |
13 | (3) "Food package" means a package or packaging component that is intended for the |
14 | marketing, protection, or handling of a product intended for food contact or used to store food and |
15 | foodstuffs for sale. |
16 | (4) "Manufacturer" means a person, firm, association, partnership, government entity, |
17 | organization, joint venture, or corporation that applies a package to a product for distribution or |
18 | sale. |
19 | (5) "Package" means a container providing a means of marketing, protecting, or handling |
20 | a product and shall include a unit package, an intermediate package, and a shipping container. |
21 | "Package" also means and includes unsealed receptacles such as carrying cases, crates, cups, pails, |
22 | rigid foil and other trays, wrappers and wrapping films, bags, and tubs. |
23 | (6) "Packaging component" means an individual assembled part of a package such as, but |
24 | not limited to, any interior or exterior blocking, bracing, cushioning, weatherproofing, exterior |
25 | strapping, coatings, closures, inks, and labels. |
26 | (7) "PFAS" means perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, a class of fluorinated |
27 | organic chemicals containing at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom. |
28 | 23-25.6-4. Prohibition of PFAS in food packaging. |
29 | No person may manufacture, knowingly sell, offer for sale, distribute for sale, or distribute |
30 | for use in this state food packaging to which PFAS have been intentionally added in any amount. |
31 | 23-25.6-5. Warning labels required. |
32 | No person may manufacture, knowingly sell, offer for sale, distribute for sale, or distribute |
33 | for use in this state any clothing or carpeting to which PFAS have been intentionally added in any |
34 | amount, including, but not limited to, any package or packaging component of the package without |
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1 | including a warning label on the product or packaging of the product which indicates as follows: |
2 | "This product contains PFAS. PFAS are linked to serious health problems in adults and children." |
3 | 23-25.6-6. Penalties. |
4 | Any person who violates any provisions of this chapter shall be subject to a fine of not |
5 | more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each offense. |
6 | SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on January 1, 2023. |
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EXPLANATION | |
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL | |
OF | |
A N A C T | |
RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- PROHIBITION OF PFAS IN FOOD | |
PACKAGING, CLOTHING AND CARPETING ACT | |
*** | |
1 | This act would prohibit PFAS, a class of fluorinated organic chemicals, from being used |
2 | in food packaging and would also require that any carpeting or clothing containing PFAS |
3 | manufactured or sold in this state carry a warning label. Violations would be punishable by a fine |
4 | of one thousand dollars ($1000) for each offense. |
5 | This act would take effect on January 1, 2023. |
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