Promotional products companies will have to comply with the regulations.
By Christopher Ruvo, originally published by ASI
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed legislation that prohibits PFAS chemicals from being added to cosmetics, personal care products, textiles and clothing sold in the Golden State.
Promotional products companies that want to manufacture, sell or otherwise distribute items covered by the legislation in California will have to comply with the regulations, which are scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1, 2025.
“Today PFAS exist in all water-resistant or stain-resistant coatings,” says Jeremy Lott, a member of Counselor’s Power 50 list of promo’s most influential people and CEO of apparel company SanMar (asi/84863), promo’s largest supplier. “We expect alternatives to be developed so that we will continue to be able to offer clothing with the functionality consumers have come to expect. This has a significant impact on the outdoor industry, as waterproof functionality is critical for almost every brand in the space.”
Other industry leaders were assessing the particulars of the legislation, too.
“We are formulating our action plan,” says Andrea Lara Routzahn, chief merchant at apparel firm alphabroder (asi/34063), the second largest apparel supplier in the North American promo products industry. “It’s all quite new and sudden. Everyone is working to figure this out.”
It was a similar story at Tustin, CA-based Top 40 supplier Logomark (asi/67866). “We’re looking into this,” says CEO Trevor Gnesin, a member of Counselor’ s Power 50.
Newsom put pen to paper on AB 2771 and AB 1817 on Thursday, Sept. 29. Collectively, they prohibit perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as “PFAS,” from being added to a broad spectrum of products in California.
Proponents of the regulations like Newsom believe the bans are warranted because of what they say are health impacts caused by PFAS.
“We are formulating our action plan,” says Andrea Lara Routzahn, chief merchant at apparel firm alphabroder (asi/34063), the second largest apparel supplier in the North American promo products industry. “It’s all quite new and sudden. Everyone is working to figure this out.”
It was a similar story at Tustin, CA-based Top 40 supplier Logomark (asi/67866). “We’re looking into this,” says CEO Trevor Gnesin, a member of Counselor’ s Power 50.
Newsom put pen to paper on AB 2771 and AB 1817 on Thursday, Sept. 29. Collectively, they prohibit perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as “PFAS,” from being added to a broad spectrum of products in California.
Proponents of the regulations like Newsom believe the bans are warranted because of what they say are health impacts caused by PFAS.
If you are interested in these products to promote your own business, or if you wish to see some samples, email info@proformagreen.com for information and pricing.
And as always, if you really want to do something sustainable, do not buy promotional products. All products are consumption at one level or another. So if you must buy, 1) Buy local (i.e. made in USA), 2) Buy useful, long lasting items, 3) Buy sustainable/recycled/recyclable products if possible.
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