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On January 12, 2026, the New Jersey State Senate passed Bill S1221, officially titled the Protecting Against Forever Chemicals Act.

Recently, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has approved “Words or Symbols” informing the purchaser of PFAS in a product.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are increasingly becoming a focal point of global concern due to their potential long-term impacts on the environment and human health. As a class of synthetic chemicals characterized by high stability and widespread applications, PFAS are facing increasingly stringent regulatory scrutiny in the cosmetics sector. This article explores the physicochemical properties and potential health risks of PFAS, and systematically reviews the evolving global regulatory landscape related to their use in cosmetics. It aims to help cosmetic enterprises gain a comprehensive understanding of regulatory requirements, mitigate compliance risks, enhance product safety, and strengthen competitiveness in international markets.

On May 21, 2025, the New Hampshire State Senate and House of Representatives amended the RSA 149-M:64 regulation, introducing a new ban that explicitly prohibits the sale of ski wax, boat wax, surfboard wax, and similar sports products containing intentionally added per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

On May 13, 2025, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced significant adjustments to the data submission deadlines under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and PFAS-containing products.

In April 2025, New Mexico passed the Per- and Poly-Fluoroalkyl Substances Protection Act, aimed at strengthening the regulation of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to protect human health and the environment.

This new rule is scheduled to be effective 60 days after its publication. After that, its manufacturers or processors of the 329 PFAS are required to seek EPA review of the activity by submitting a SNUN to EPA and complying with relevant applicable requirements.

On September 28, 2023, U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced an important new rule under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), requiring manufacturers of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to provide more data for better regulation. PFASs are a large class of chemically stable organic fluorides known for their water and stain resistance, as well as good insulation. They find extensive use in various industrial sectors, including food packaging, electronics, leather and apparel, construction and household applications, firefighting, and medical supplies. However, PFASs are persistent and migrate in the environment, making them difficult to degrade. They are also called persistent chemicals and have posed a significant threat to human health and the ecological environment.

Minnesota has passed a restriction bill for PFAS with a vote of 72 in favor and 57 against in the House of Representatives, and 35 in favor and 32 against in the Senate. On May 19th, the restriction bill was submitted to the governor. If the bill (HF 2310) becomes law, Minnesota will become the first state in the Midwest to mandate disclosure and comprehensive restrictions on products containing intentionally added PFAS substances.

In October 2021, the US EPA developed a PFAS strategic roadmap. In the absence of comprehensive federal legislation, several states are developing or updating their own PFAS regulations. This article compiles the current regulatory situation. According to the OECD, PFAS are defined as any substance containing at least one perfluorinated methyl (CF3-) or methylene (-CF2-) carbon atom (with no H/Cl/Br/I attached to that carbon atom). PFAS include thousands of synthetic chemicals such as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS). PFAS have non-stick, oil-resistant, water-resistant, and grease-resistant properties. Since the 1960s, PFAS have been used in food contact substances (FCS) in the US, including cookware, food processing equipment (such as gaskets and O-rings), processing aids for other FCS (such as reducing buildup on manufacturing equipment), and food packaging (such as a grease-resistant coating).