Safer Products for Washington

We are conducting a rulemaking to revise the Safer Products Restrictions and Reporting rule — (Chapter 173-337 WAC). We proposed the draft rule June 4, 2025, opened a public comment period (June 4, 2025 at 12 a.m. to July 20, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.), and announced two online public hearings (July 9 at 5:30 p.m. and July 10 at 10 a.m.). We intend to adopt the revised rule by Dec. 2025.

In cycle 1.5, we’re looking at firefighting PPE (personal protective equipment) and other products from our 2021 PFAS chemical action plan (CAP), like apparel and gear, cleaning products, and motor vehicle washes and waxes.

Past actions for Cycle 1.5

• 2024 — We published a report that identifies our regulatory determinations for PFAS in certain products.
• 2022 — Washington State Legislature asked us to create regulatory recommendations for some products that contain PFAS.

On May 30, 2025, we published the Safer Products for Washington Cycle 2 Final Identification of Priority Products Report to the Legislature.

Past actions for Cycle 2

• Nov. 2024 — We published the Safer Products for Washington Cycle 2 Draft Identification of Priority Products Report to the Legislature.
• May 2024 — We published a report identifying priority chemicals for cycle 2.

2023

We went through our first Safer Products for Washington rulemaking and adopted the rule on May 31, 2023.

2022

After engaging with stakeholders and interested parties, we publish a 2022 legislative report sharing our suggested regulatory actions for the cycle 1 chemical-product combinations.

2020

We submitted a 2020 legislative report identifying products to focus on for cycle 1; products that contain the chemical classes listed in the statute.

The Cycle 1 adopted rule requires manufacturers to restrict or report:

• PFAS in aftermarket stain- and water-resistance treatments, carpets and rugs, and leather and textile furnishings.
• Ortho-phthalates in vinyl flooring and in personal care product fragrances.
• Organohalogen flame retardants in electric and electronic products.
• Flame retardants (as defined in RCW 70A.350.010) in recreational polyurethane foam.
• Phenolic compounds in laundry detergent, food and drink can linings, and thermal paper.

For more information, read:

• Safer Products for Washington Cycle 1: Adopted Rule Highlights.
• Complying with Safer Products for Washington: Electric and Electronic Products.

Consumers interested in chemicals reported under Safer Products for Washington can search the Interstate Chemical Clearinghouse’s High Priority Chemical Data System (HPCDS), where manufacturer reports are publicly available. The Safer Products for Washington categories found on the HPCDS are the priority products currently addressed in this regulation. No registration is required to search reported data.

In phase 2 of each cycle, we focus on finding significant sources and uses of the chemicals we identified in phase 1. This give us the best opportunity to equitably reduce exposures to toxic chemicals from consumer products. Chemical restrictions we suggest in phase 3 of each cycle require that safer alternatives are feasible and available.

Information about how you interact with products we’ve identified as priority products is always useful. It helps us understand how product use varies across individuals and communities. While your use of a product might seem obvious, it could be a use we haven’t considered. Suggestions for additional chemical classes or consumer products to evaluate are also helpful.

How to submit feedback

Email us at SaferProductsWA@ecy.wa.gov. We welcome feedback anytime and are also available to meet with individuals and organizations in person.