New York bans PFAS, parabens, phthalates, talc and other chemicals in menstrual products
Albany, New York, US, December 2025 — n a sweeping move aimed at tightening chemical oversight in intimate hygiene products, Governor Kathy Hochul has signed the Ban on PFAS & Toxic Chemicals in Menstrual Products Act, prohibiting 14 hazardous substances from menstrual products sold in the state.
The law, signed on 19 December 2025, applies to tampons, pads, liners, menstrual cups, menstrual discs, and period underwear distributed in New York after 19 December 2026.
The 14 Chemicals Now Prohibited
The statute bans the intentional addition of:
Lead and lead compounds
Mercury and mercury compounds
Formaldehyde
Triclosan
Toluene
Talc
Dibutyl phthalate (DBP)
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)
Butylphenyl methylpropional (Lilial)
Isobutylparaben
Isopropylparaben
Butylparaben
Propylparaben
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
The prohibition specifically targets chemicals that are deliberately added during manufacturing. Products containing these substances after the December 2026 deadline will not be permitted for sale in New York.
Additional Regulatory Requirements by 2029
The law also directs the New York Department of Health and the Department of Environmental Conservation to establish minimum threshold levels for these chemicals in menstrual products by 1 January 2029. This future rulemaking may address trace contamination or background presence levels and will further define compliance expectations.
Part of a Broader National Trend
New York’s action reflects a broader state-led push to regulate chemicals in personal and menstrual care products. While other states have enacted PFAS-specific bans or narrower ingredient restrictions, New York’s law is currently the most comprehensive framework covering a defined list of 14 substances in menstrual products.
However, the growing number of state-level laws has created a patchwork of compliance timelines and chemical scopes. Different states restrict different substances, and effective dates vary — complicating national distribution strategies for manufacturers.
What It Means for Industry
Given the varied deadlines and chemicals, many online products, national retailers and brand owners may consider adopting New York’s requirements as its national strategy rather than reformulate for just the New York market. Companies should evaluate their products to ensure compliance
| Chemical Name | CAS Number | Menstrual-Product Law | Threshold / Compliance Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead and lead compounds | 7439-92-1 | New York S1548 Vermont 9 V.S.A. § 2494b |
NY: Intentionally added prohibited Dec 19, 2026; trace thresholds due Jan 1, 2029. VT: Intentionally added prohibited Jan 1, 2026. |
| Mercury and related compounds | 7439-97-6 | New York S1548 Vermont 9 V.S.A. § 2494b |
NY: Intentionally added prohibited Dec 19, 2026; trace thresholds due Jan 1, 2029. VT: Intentionally added prohibited Jan 1, 2026. |
| Formaldehyde | 50-00-0 | New York S1548 Vermont 9 V.S.A. § 2494b |
NY: Intentionally added prohibited Dec 19, 2026; trace thresholds due Jan 1, 2029. VT: Intentionally added prohibited Jan 1, 2026. |
| Triclosan | 3380-34-5 | New York S1548 Vermont 9 V.S.A. § 2494b |
NY: Intentionally added prohibited Dec 19, 2026; trace thresholds due Jan 1, 2029. VT: Intentionally added prohibited Jan 1, 2026. |
| Toluene | 108-88-3 | New York S1548 | NY: Intentionally added prohibited Dec 19, 2026; trace thresholds due Jan 1, 2029. |
| Talc | 14807-96-6 | New York S1548 | NY: Intentionally added prohibited Dec 19, 2026; trace thresholds due Jan 1, 2029. |
| Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) | 84-74-2 | New York S1548 Vermont Ortho-phthalates class |
NY: Intentionally added prohibited Dec 19, 2026; trace thresholds due Jan 1, 2029. VT: Ortho-phthalates intentionally added prohibited Jan 1, 2026. |
| Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) | 117-81-7 | New York S1548 Vermont Ortho-phthalates class |
NY: Intentionally added prohibited Dec 19, 2026; trace thresholds due Jan 1, 2029. VT: Ortho-phthalates intentionally added prohibited Jan 1, 2026. |
| Butylphenyl methylpropional (Lilial) | 80-54-6 | New York S1548 | NY: Intentionally added prohibited Dec 19, 2026; trace thresholds due Jan 1, 2029. |
| Isobutylparaben | 4247-02-3 | New York S1548 Vermont 9 V.S.A. § 2494b |
NY: Intentionally added prohibited Dec 19, 2026; trace thresholds due Jan 1, 2029. VT: Intentionally added prohibited Jan 1, 2026. |
| Isopropylparaben | 4191-73-5 | New York S1548 Vermont 9 V.S.A. § 2494b |
NY: Intentionally added prohibited Dec 19, 2026; trace thresholds due Jan 1, 2029. VT: Intentionally added prohibited Jan 1, 2026. |
| Butylparaben | 94-26-8 | New York S1548 | NY: Intentionally added prohibited Dec 19, 2026; trace thresholds due Jan 1, 2029. |
| Propylparaben | 94-13-3 | New York S1548 | NY: Intentionally added prohibited Dec 19, 2026; trace thresholds due Jan 1, 2029. |
| PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) — class | Multiple (class) |
New York S1548 (menstrual products) Vermont 9 V.S.A. § 2494b (menstrual products) California AB 2515 (menstrual products) Rhode Island PFAS consumer products law (menstrual products included) Minnesota statewide PFAS phaseout (all products) Maine statewide PFAS phaseout (all products) |
NY: Intentionally added PFAS prohibited Dec 19, 2026; trace thresholds due Jan 1, 2029. VT: Intentionally added PFAS prohibited Jan 1, 2026. CA: Intentionally added PFAS prohibited Jan 1, 2025; additional thresholds begin Jan 1, 2027; certification due Jul 1, 2029. RI: Intentionally added PFAS prohibited effective Jan 1, 2027. MN: Intentionally added PFAS restricted in certain categories starting Jan 1, 2025; broader “all products” phaseout begins Jan 1, 2032 (with exemptions). ME: Reporting program in place; broader “all products” phaseout is scheduled for Jan 1, 2030 (with currently authorized uses/exemptions). |
PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) — class
Table showing regulatory restrictions of chemicals in menstrual products