COSMETIC PRODUCTS — TOXIC CHEMICALS

RCW 70A.560

in effect

RCW 70A.560.005 Finding — Intent.

(1) The legislature finds that certain chemicals used in cosmetic products are linked to harmful impacts on health, such as cancer, birth defects, damage to the reproductive system, organ system toxicity, and endocrine disruption. Many of these chemicals have been identified by the state of Washington as high priority chemicals of concern. (2) In order to ensure the safety of cosmetic products and protect Washington residents from toxic exposures, the legislature intends to prohibit use of toxic chemicals found in cosmetic and personal care products and join other jurisdictions in creating a safer global standard for cosmetic products and bringing more sustainable, safer ingredients to the marketplace. (1) The legislature finds that certain chemicals used in cosmetic products are linked to harmful impacts on health, such as cancer, birth defects, damage to the reproductive system, organ system toxicity, and endocrine disruption. Many of these chemicals have been identified by the state of Washington as high priority chemicals of concern. (2) In order to ensure the safety of cosmetic products and protect Washington residents from toxic exposures, the legislature intends to prohibit use of toxic chemicals found in cosmetic and personal care products and join other jurisdictions in creating a safer global standard for cosmetic products and bringing more sustainable, safer ingredients to the marketplace.

RCW 70A.560.010 Definitions.

The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise. (1) "Cosmetic product" has the same meaning as the term "cosmetic" as defined in RCW 69.04.011 . (2) "Department" means the department of ecology. (3) "Manufacturer" has the same meaning as defined in RCW 70A.350.010 . (4) "Ortho-phthalates" means esters of ortho-phthalic acid. (5) "Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances" has the same meaning as defined in RCW 70A.350.010 . (6) "Small business" has the same meaning as defined in RCW 70A.500.020 . (7) "Vulnerable populations" has the same meaning as defined in RCW 70A.02.010 . The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise. (1) "Cosmetic product" has the same meaning as the term "cosmetic" as defined in RCW 69.04.011 . (2) "Department" means the department of ecology. (3) "Manufacturer" has the same meaning as defined in RCW 70A.350.010 . (4) "Ortho-phthalates" means esters of ortho-phthalic acid. (5) "Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances" has the same meaning as defined in RCW 70A.350.010 . (6) "Small business" has the same meaning as defined in RCW 70A.500.020 . (7) "Vulnerable populations" has the same meaning as defined in RCW 70A.02.010 .

RCW 70A.560.020 Prohibiting the sale of cosmetic products containing certain added chemicals — Department's duties.

(1) Except as provided in subsection (3) of this section, beginning January 1, 2025, no person may manufacture, knowingly sell, offer for sale, distribute for sale, or distribute for use in this state any cosmetic product that contains any of the following intentionally added chemicals or chemical classes: (a) Ortho-phthalates; (b) Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances; (c) Formaldehyde (CAS 50-00-0) and chemicals determined by the department to release formaldehyde; (d) Methylene glycol (CAS 463-57-0); (e) Mercury and mercury compounds (CAS 7439-97-6); (f) Triclosan (CAS 3380-34-5); (g) m-phenylenediamine and its salts (CAS 108-45-2); and (h) o-phenylenediamine and its salts (CAS 95-54-5). (2) Except as provided in subsection (3) of this section, beginning January 1, 2025, no person may manufacture, knowingly sell, offer for sale, distribute for sale, or distribute for use in this state any cosmetic product that contains intentionally added lead or lead compounds (CAS 7439-92-1), lead or lead compounds at one part per million (ppm) or above, or as otherwise determined by the department through rule making. (3) An in-state retailer in possession of cosmetic products on the date that restrictions on the sale of the products takes effect under this section may exhaust its existing stock through sales to the public until January 1, 2026. (4) By June 1, 2024, the department, in consultation with the department of health, must use existing information to identify and assess the hazards of chemicals or chemical classes that can provide the same or similar function in cosmetic products as the chemicals or chemical classes listed in subsection (1) of this section and that can impact vulnerable populations. The department must make the information publicly available. (5)(a) By May 2024, the department shall implement an initiative to support small businesses that manufacture cosmetic products in efforts to obtain voluntary environmental health certifications for cosmetics implemented by the United States environmental protection agency or other programs, as determined by the department, that are designed to identify cosmetic products that do not contain identified hazards consistent with processes used to identify safer alternatives under chapter 70A.350 RCW. (b) The initiative may include, but is not limited to, providing: (i) Technical assistance and support; (ii) Resources for chemical hazard assessments; and (iii) Resources for reformulating products. (6)(a) By May 2024, the department shall implement an initiative to support independent cosmetologists and small businesses that provide cosmetology services, such as beauty salons, in efforts to transition to using safer cosmetic products. (b) The initiative may include, but is not limited to, providing: (i) Technical assistance and support; (ii) Resources for identifying safer cosmetic products; and (iii) Resources for financial incentives to eligible participants to replace cosmetic products containing toxic chemicals, disposal programs, and the use of safer products. (7)(a) For the purposes of this section, cosmetic products do not include prescription drugs approved by the United States food and drug administration. (b) The chemicals in subsection (1) of this section are restricted in cosmetics regardless of whether the product also contains drug ingredients regulated by the United States food and drug administration. For purposes of this section, ingredients regulated as drugs by the United States food and drug administration are not subject to the restrictions established in this section. (1) Except as provided in subsection (3) of this section, beginning January 1, 2025, no person may manufacture, knowingly sell, offer for sale, distribute for sale, or distribute for use in this state any cosmetic product that contains any of the following intentionally added chemicals or chemical classes: (a) Ortho-phthalates; (b) Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances; (c) Formaldehyde (CAS 50-00-0) and chemicals determined by the department to release formaldehyde; (d) Methylene glycol (CAS 463-57-0); (e) Mercury and mercury compounds (CAS 7439-97-6); (f) Triclosan (CAS 3380-34-5); (g) m-phenylenediamine and its salts (CAS 108-45-2); and (h) o-phenylenediamine and its salts (CAS 95-54-5). (2) Except as provided in subsection (3) of this section, beginning January 1, 2025, no person may manufacture, knowingly sell, offer for sale, distribute for sale, or distribute for use in this state any cosmetic product that contains intentionally added lead or lead compounds (CAS 7439-92-1), lead or lead compounds at one part per million (ppm) or above, or as otherwise determined by the department through rule making. (3) An in-state retailer in possession of cosmetic products on the date that restrictions on the sale of the products takes effect under this section may exhaust its existing stock through sales to the public until January 1, 2026. (4) By June 1, 2024, the department, in consultation with the department of health, must use existing information to identify and assess the hazards of chemicals or chemical classes that can provide the same or similar function in cosmetic products as the chemicals or chemical classes listed in subsection (1) of this section and that can impact vulnerable populations. The department must make the information publicly available. (5)(a) By May 2024, the department shall implement an initiative to support small businesses that manufacture cosmetic products in efforts to obtain voluntary environmental health certifications for cosmetics implemented by the United States environmental protection agency or other programs, as determined by the department, that are designed to identify cosmetic products that do not contain identified hazards consistent with processes used to identify safer alternatives under chapter 70A.350 RCW. (b) The initiative may include, but is not limited to, providing: (i) Technical assistance and support; (ii) Resources for chemical hazard assessments; and (iii) Resources for reformulating products. (6)(a) By May 2024, the department shall implement an initiative to support independent cosmetologists and small businesses that provide cosmetology services, such as beauty salons, in efforts to transition to using safer cosmetic products. (b) The initiative may include, but is not limited to, providing: (i) Technical assistance and support; (ii) Resources for identifying safer cosmetic products; and (iii) Resources for financial incentives to eligible participants to replace cosmetic products containing toxic chemicals, disposal programs, and the use of safer products. (7)(a) For the purposes of this section, cosmetic products do not include prescription drugs approved by the United States food and drug administration. (b) The chemicals in subsection (1) of this section are restricted in cosmetics regardless of whether the product also contains drug ingredients regulated by the United States food and drug administration. For purposes of this section, ingredients regulated as drugs by the United States food and drug administration are not subject to the restrictions established in this section.

RCW 70A.560.030 Rule-making authority — Penalty.

(1) The department may adopt rules as necessary for the purpose of implementing, administering, and enforcing this chapter. (2)(a) The department's determinations of chemicals that release formaldehyde must be adopted by rule. The department must identify a list of chemicals used in cosmetics that release formaldehyde that may be subject to restriction under this chapter. In establishing this list, the department should consider: (i) Estimated prevalence of use; (ii) Potential to reduce disproportionate exposure; and (iii) Other information deemed relevant by the department. (b) The department may identify for restriction an initial set of no more than 10 of the listed chemicals used in cosmetics that release formaldehyde. This restriction must take effect on or after January 1, 2026. (c) Restrictions on the remaining listed chemicals used in cosmetics that release formaldehyde may take effect on or after January 1, 2027. (d) The department may, but is not required to, conduct additional rule-making activities after January 1, 2027, including developing supplemental lists of chemicals that release formaldehyde and adopting additional restrictions. (3) Prior to commencing rule making under this chapter, the department must engage with relevant stakeholders to ensure the availability of adequate expertise and input. The stakeholder process should include, but is not limited to, soliciting input from representatives from independent cosmetologists, small businesses offering cosmetology services, such as beauty salons, and small manufacturers of cosmetic products. The input received from stakeholders must be considered when adopting rules. (4) A manufacturer that produces a product or imports or domestically distributes a product in or into Washington in violation of a requirement of this chapter, a rule adopted under this chapter, or an order issued under this chapter, is subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $5,000 for each violation in the case of a first offense. Manufacturers who are repeat violators are subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $10,000 for each repeat offense. (5) Any penalty provided for in this section, and any order issued by the department under this chapter, may be appealed to the pollution control hearings board. (6) All penalties collected under this chapter shall be deposited in the model toxics control operating account created in RCW 70A.305.180 . (1) The department may adopt rules as necessary for the purpose of implementing, administering, and enforcing this chapter. (2)(a) The department's determinations of chemicals that release formaldehyde must be adopted by rule. The department must identify a list of chemicals used in cosmetics that release formaldehyde that may be subject to restriction under this chapter. In establishing this list, the department should consider: (i) Estimated prevalence of use; (ii) Potential to reduce disproportionate exposure; and (iii) Other information deemed relevant by the department. (b) The department may identify for restriction an initial set of no more than 10 of the listed chemicals used in cosmetics that release formaldehyde. This restriction must take effect on or after January 1, 2026. (c) Restrictions on the remaining listed chemicals used in cosmetics that release formaldehyde may take effect on or after January 1, 2027. (d) The department may, but is not required to, conduct additional rule-making activities after January 1, 2027, including developing supplemental lists of chemicals that release formaldehyde and adopting additional restrictions. (3) Prior to commencing rule making under this chapter, the department must engage with relevant stakeholders to ensure the availability of adequate expertise and input. The stakeholder process should include, but is not limited to, soliciting input from representatives from independent cosmetologists, small businesses offering cosmetology services, such as beauty salons, and small manufacturers of cosmetic products. The input received from stakeholders must be considered when adopting rules. (4) A manufacturer that produces a product or imports or domestically distributes a product in or into Washington in violation of a requirement of this chapter, a rule adopted under this chapter, or an order issued under this chapter, is subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $5,000 for each violation in the case of a first offense. Manufacturers who are repeat violators are subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $10,000 for each repeat offense. (5) Any penalty provided for in this section, and any order issued by the department under this chapter, may be appealed to the pollution control hearings board. (6) All penalties collected under this chapter shall be deposited in the model toxics control operating account created in RCW 70A.305.180 .

RCW 70A.560.900 Short title.

This chapter may be known and cited as the toxic-free cosmetics act. This chapter may be known and cited as the toxic-free cosmetics act.

Source: WA Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=70A.560&full=trueFetched: 6/29/2026