The International Housewares Association has alerted members doing business in Maine to file before November 28 for an extension of the January 1, 2023 date when a new Maine law will begin requiring the reporting of the presence of PFAS chemicals in consumer products sold in the state.
PFAS (poly-fluoroalkyl substances) are chemical compounds that contain one fully fluorinated carbon atom. PFAS is in products from all types of industries, and this issue, which was once thought to affect mainly certain non-stick coated cookware and bakeware, is now impacting a wide range of housewares products, according to IHA.
In July 2021, the Maine legislature enacted Public Law c. 477, “An Act To Stop Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Pollution” (LD 1503, 130th Legislature). The new law requires manufacturers of products with intentionally added PFAS to report the intentionally added presence of PFAS in those products to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection beginning January 1, 2023.
In recommending an extension of the date Maine’s PFAS reporting requirement begins, IHA, in a note to members, indicated, “Maine’s PFAS reporting process is poorly defined, and it is not clear who is a ‘manufacturer.’ Companies such as chemical and equipment suppliers, distributors and those that ship or sell PFAS-containing products may be responsible for reporting. As such, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) should not enforce the law until clarifying regulations have been finalized with sufficient time to comply.”
The Maine State Chamber of Commerce has made available a sign-on letter it will send to Maine’s DEP requesting a 6-month extension of the PFAS reporting requirement.
IHA advises all concerned IHA members doing business in Maine to file for the PFAS reporting extension before November 28.
