Safer Products for Washington Cycle 1.5 PFAS Rulemaking
Comment on the proposed rule and rulemaking documents
June 4, 2025, 12 a.m. - July 20, 2025, 11:59 p.m. PT
We invite you to comment on the proposed rule and documents related to the rulemaking to revise Chapter 173-337 WAC: Safer Products Restrictions and Reporting.
Documents available for review
We invite you to provide comments on the following documents related to the rulemaking to adopt restrictions and reporting requirements for the intentional use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) in 12 product categories:
- Proposed rule.
- Preliminary Regulatory Analyses.
- Draft SEPA Determination of Non-Significance and Environmental Checklist.
To learn more:
- Go to Chapter 173-337 WAC rulemaking webpage.
- Read the Overview: Safer Products Cycle 1.5 PFAS Rulemaking.
Tips for feedback
For more information, please visit our commenting tips webpage. Information provided in a comment or attachment may be posted on the internet. To request information in another format or language, contact Wayne Rysavy at SaferProductsWA@ecy.wa.gov.
How to submit comments
Submit comments starting June 4, 2025, at 12:00 a.m. PT until July 20, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. PT in the following ways:
- Submit comments online.
- Comment by mail – for more information, see “Comment by mail” section below.
- Email comments to SaferProductsWA@ecy.wa.gov.
- Submit verbal comments at an online public hearing. We are holding two. See below for more details.
Online public hearings: July 9 and July 10
- July 9, 2025 webinar at 5:30 p.m. PT via Zoom. (register for the online hearing).
- July 10, 2025 webinar at 10:00 a.m. PT via Zoom. (register for the online hearing).
Next steps
After the comment period, we’ll review comments, consider revisions to the proposed rule and other rulemaking documents, and respond to comments. We expect to decide on rule adoption in Nov. 2025.
Background
Ecology proposes to revise Chapter 173-337 WAC: Safer Products Restrictions and Reporting to adopt restrictions and reporting requirements related to the intentional use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the following product categories.
The proposed rule restricts the intentional use of PFAS in:
- Apparel and accessories.
- Automotive washes.
- Cleaning products.
The proposed rule requires manufacturers to report the intentional use of PFAS in:
- Apparel for extreme and extended use.
- Footwear.
- Gear for recreation and travel.
- Automotive waxes.
- Cookware and kitchen supplies.
- Firefighting personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Floor waxes and polishes.
- Hard surface sealers.
- Ski waxes.
PFAS, known as “forever chemicals,” don’t break down in the environment. Some build up in species higher up in the food chain, such as humans and orcas. Many PFAS are linked to cancer, harm reproduction and development, and are toxic to fish. Nearly everyone in the United States has PFAS in their blood. Regulating PFAS in consumer products will reduce exposure to these chemicals.
The restrictions and reporting requirements in the proposed rule:
- Affect manufacturers, distributors, and retailers of the 12 product categories that operate in Washington State.
- Apply to covered consumer products sold online and in brick-and-mortar stores.
More information
Comment online
- Use our online comment form
- Submit your comment by email: SaferProductsWA@ecy.wa.gov
Comment by mail
Department of Ecology
PO Box 47600
Olympia, WA 98504-7600
Questions
To request ADA accommodation, contact Ecology's ADA Coordinator by email at ecyadacoordinator@ecy.wa.gov, or call 360-407-6831, 711 (relay service), or 877-833-6341 (TTY). More about our accessibility services.