Washington's toxics in products laws

Washington consumer safety laws that reduce toxic exposure

Antifouling boat paint (copper boat paint) law
Chapter 70A.445 RCW
Phases out the use of copper-based antifouling boat paints for recreational boats.

Better Brakes law
Chapter 70A.340 RCW
Phases out the use of copper in vehicle brakes and requires manufacturers to certify that brakes comply with the law.

Bisphenol A (BPA) law
Chapter 70A.335 RCW
Bans BPA in children’s bottles, sports bottles, and other drinking products.

Children’s Safe Products Act (CSPA)
Chapter 70A.430 RCW
Regulates lead, cadmium, phthalates, and other chemicals in children's products. CSPA also requires manufacturers to report on Chemicals of High Concern to Children.

Coal tar stormwater pollution law
Chapter 70A.440 RCW
Bans the sale and use of coal tar sealants, a potential source of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).

Flame retardants law
Chapter 70A.405 RCW
Bans the use of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), otherwise known as flame retardants, in mattresses, residential furniture, and electronics.

Lead in cookware law
Chapter 70A.565 RCW
Bans the sale, manufacture, or distribution of cookware containing lead or lead compounds.

Lead wheel weight law
Chapter 70A.435 RCW
Bans the use of lead wheel weights during tire installation and requires they be recycled.

Mercury law
Chapter 70A.230 RCW
Bans mercury in thermometers, instruments, toys, and automotive switches. It also establishes the:

• Mercury disposal education plan (Chapter 70A.230.030 RCW), also known as the Mercury Education Reduction Act (MERA).
• LightRecycle Washington program to collect and recycle fluorescent lights.

Safer Products for Washington
Chapter 70A.350 RCW
Provides authority to restrict the use of chemicals in consumer products when safer alternatives are available, or to require manufacturers to report chemicals in products.

Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act (TFCA)
Chapter 70A.560 RCW
Restricts the manufacture, distribution, and sale of cosmetic products that contain certain toxic chemicals in Washington.

Toxics in firefighting law
Chapter 70A.400 RCW
Prohibits the use and sale of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) in training activities and requires manufacturers and vendors to notify buyers if their personal protective equipment contains per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

Toxics in packaging law
Chapter 70A.222 RCW
Regulates lead, mercury, cadmium, and other chemicals in packaging, including the ban on PFAS in food packaging.