New Colorado Law Bans ‘Forever Chemicals’ in Apparel, Other Products

Colorado is the latest state to ban products containing “forever chemicals.”

A new law that takes effect in July bans a slew of everyday items, including clothing and cookware, from intentionally containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Starting in 2026, sales of cookware, dental floss, cleaning products, menstruation products and ski wax that contain PFAS will be prohibited.

By 2028, the state is banning the sale of all PFAS-treated clothing, backpacks and waterproof outdoor apparel. However, starting next year, companies will be required to include disclosure labels on any PFAS-containing apparel they sell in Colorado.

“We know that PFAS are a dangerous toxin. We don’t need to continue producing them,” one of the bill’s sponsors, Democratic state Senator Lisa Cutter, told CBS News. “Certainly, there are cases where it’s not plausible right away to gravitate away from them, but we need to be moving in that direction. Our community shouldn’t have to pay the price for their health.”

PFAS, often referred to as forever chemicals because they don’t break down in the environment, are used in a spectrum of products from firefighting foams to carpets, shampoos, mascara and some grease-resistant paper. They’re frequently used in durable water-repellent (DWR) coating on various performance fabrics to give them water- and stain-resistant properties.

Unfortunately, the chemicals can contaminate water sources and build up in fish and wildlife. Some research has linked exposure to certain PFAS with various health problems, including kidney and testicular cancers, thyroid disease and developmental delays, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Colorado is one of 28 states with policies on PFAS, according to advocacy group Safer States. Last year, New York passed a ban on PFAS chemicals in clothing, and in 2022, California passed a similar ban prohibiting the substances in cosmetics, personal care products, textiles and clothing. At a national level, the EPA this spring finalized a rule limiting the amount of six PFAS chemicals allowed in drinking water.

As scrutiny of and legislation against forever chemicals grows, a number companies – including those in the promotional products space – have been phasing out PFAS from their products.