Safer cosmetics replacement program

Want to participate? Contact us!

Contact us if you are interested in participating in this program. Small cosmetology businesses in Washington may be eligible to receive reimbursement for switching to safer cosmetics. If you wish to participate, please wait to purchase any new products until your application is approved.

As of Jan. 1, 2025, the Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act (TFCA) restricts the manufacture, distribution, and sale of cosmetic products that contain certain toxic chemicals within Washington. The cosmetics product replacement program aims to help small cosmetics businesses, such as hair and nail salons, offset the potential costs required to switch to safer products and product formulations.

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How does the law impact businesses?

TFCA restricts the sale of cosmetics that contain certain toxic chemicals, which directly affects any business that currently sells or uses these products in Washington. To comply with the TFCA, businesses will need to:

Know if they use products or have any products for sale that contain any of the restricted chemicals.
Replace any products that do not comply with TFCA with those that do,
OR
Pull the products from sale and stop any use of these products for services by TFCA deadlines*.

* NOTE: For in-state retailers with existing stock, restrictions take effect Jan. 1, 2026.

What’s the purpose of the program?

This program is for cosmetologists and related businesses in Washington that are interested in transitioning to safer cosmetic products. The program provides the following to eligible and approved program participants:

Technical assistance.
Resources to identify safer cosmetic products.
Reimbursement for replacing products with safer alternatives.

Who is eligible to participate?

Small businesses in Washington that participate in cosmetology or beauty services are eligible to apply for the program, such as:

Hair salons or independently-contracted hair stylists.
Nail salons.
Cosmetology schools.

The program will prioritize funding for:

Women-owned businesses.
Minority-owned businesses.

Frequently asked questions

Cosmetologists experience a higher risk of exposure to toxic chemicals due to their work environment, and women of color are especially vulnerable to these chemical exposures due to factors such as:

Occupation (beauty industry workers are predominantly women of color and immigrants).
Cultural and religious differences.
Beauty standards that promote European features.

Studies have shown that women have higher levels of harmful chemicals found in cosmetics detected in their bodies than men, and black women have higher levels than white women. Those in the beauty industry often face health hazards at work due to exposure to harmful chemicals in professional cosmetic products and insufficient workplace safety standards.

In accordance with the HEAL Act, we will prioritize technical and financial assistance to communities facing disproportionate impacts from environmental harms or where there is the potential to reduce exposure inequity.

Contact information

Rebecca Bohannan
509-379-4814
rebecca.bohannan@ecy.wa.gov