Local businesses find opportunity under new law that protects health, the environment, and economy
In 100 days, Minnesotans will have safer options when they purchase everyday products that are required to be made without PFAS. And today, state leaders celebrated the work of three Minnesota-based companies already making their products without PFAS ahead of the 2023 PFAS Prevention Act that takes effect Jan. 1, 2025.
During an event at Sigma Beauty in Mendota Heights, leaders from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the Minnesota Department of Health joined company leaders from Sigma Beauty, Nordic Ware, and Faribault Mill to highlight benefits and business opportunities ahead of the new law.
“Phasing out ‘forever chemicals’ in consumer products is a change that will help protect Minnesotan’s health, environment, and economy for generations to come,” said Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Commissioner Katrina Kessler.
PFAS, short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are nicknamed “forever chemicals” due to their longevity in the environment. Widespread use of PFAS in consumer products began in the 1950s. Long-term exposure to PFAS in even small amounts can affect human health. Reducing the nonessential use of PFAS in products is important given the risk of human exposure and pollution whenever a product containing PFAS is made, used, and even decades after it is disposed of. PFAS pollution cleanup is costly, so preventing pollution also protects the economy.
Thousands of products made without PFAS are already available to consumers, and Minnesota businesses see growing national demand for their products made without PFAS.
Manufacturing makeup without PFAS is aligned with Sigma Beauty’s mission to “being clean and to be doing right by our clients,” said Simone Xavier, CEO of the Mendota Heights-based company.
Customer demand for products made without PFAS has been good for St. Louis Park-based Nordic Ware, a bakeware and cookware company. “Making products without PFAS turned out to be a silver lining as our retail partners started coming to us and asking: ‘Do you have anything that doesn’t have PFAS in it?’” said David Dalquist, CEO of Nordic Ware.
Faribault Mill has consistently seen customers looking for products made without PFAS, said Steevie Brown, director of product making at Faribault Mill, a Faribault-based company that makes blankets, throws, and accessories.
Beginning on Jan. 1, 2025, the PFAS pollution prevention law, also known as Amara’s Law, mandates that 11 categories of consumer products must be made without PFAS in order to be sold in or distributed for sale in Minnesota. Those product categories are:
- Carpets and rugs
- Cleaning products
- Cookware
- Cosmetics
- Dental floss
- Fabric treatments
- Children’s products (designed for infants and children under age 12, except electronics)
- Menstruation products
- Textile furnishings
- Ski wax
- Upholstered furniture
Ahead of the Jan. 1, 2025, deadline, Minnesotans should know that:
- This PFAS law applies to in-person and online sales of new products and not the continued use of products Minnesotans already own.
- Product shortages aren’t expected. Consumers may see changes to inventory or product performance.
- Manufacturers and retailers with questions are encouraged to visit the MPCA’s PFAS use prohibitions webpage and contact the agency with questions about requirements in these 11 categories.
The final stage of this PFAS pollution prevention law takes effect in 2032 when nonessential use of PFAS in other products will end. Details of that phase are being informed through a public rulemaking process.
For more information and to go behind the scenes with Faribault Mill, Nordic Ware, and Sigma Beauty, visit the MPCA’s PFAS in products web page for consumers.