These quick updates were provided to PPAI’s Product Responsibility Action Group during its April meeting by Karolyn Helda, QIMA, and Rick Brenner, Product Safety Advisors:

U.S. CPSC Adds Resources For eFiling

The Consumer Product Safety Commission’s new eFiling requirements take effect soon. Mandatory eFiling for Children’s Product Certificates and General Certificates of Conformity begins on July 8.


U.S. CPSC Expands Recall Of Wire Grill Brushes

The CPSC has broadened its February recall of more than 3 million Weber metal wire grill brushes to also recall more than 10 million Nexgrill metal wire bristle grill brushes manufactured in China.

  • Metal bristles detach, creating ingestion hazard.
  • The acting CPSC commissioner issued a letter recommending a general ban on wire grill brushes.


The agency also reported a recall of over 75,000 tumblers with LED lights due to accessible button batteries posing choking/ingestion hazards. Both of these product categories are commonly available in the branded merchandise industry.

California Textile PRO Selection Challenged

CalRecycle selected Landbell USA as the producer responsibility organization for the Responsible Textile Recovery Act of 2024 (SB 707), the state’s law for extended producer responsibility of textiles. That law, which passed in late 2024, was set to take effect with required producer registration by July 1, 2026.

However, the American Apparel & Footwear Association, which led a producer coalition that also applied to be the state’s textile PRO, has filed a legal complaint contesting that selection. AAFA’s filing alleges that CalRecycle’s choice of Landbell USA meets none of the four PRO criteria established in SB 707 as statutory requirements.

PPAI will continue to monitor this situation and provide timely updates. In the meantime, Landbell has opened its registration portal, and the state’s deadline remains July 1.

U.S. State-level Regulatory Updates: PFAS & Other Chemicals

Washington enacted a lead in cookware law (SB 5975), effective June 11, 2026:

  • Current 90 ppm lead limit for aluminum/brass cookware manufactured on/after Jan. 1, 2026.
  • Prohibition on intentionally added lead starts January 2027.
  • Lead limits drop to 50 ppm (2030), then 20 ppm (2034) for aluminum/brass pots and pans and their components.


Ohio proposed a phased PFAS approach (HB 743):

  • Would require manufacturer disclosure of intentionally added PFAS by Jan. 1, 2027.
  • Category-based prohibition would start Jan. 1, 2028.
  • Near-total PFAS ban by 2033.

Proposed amendment to delay Minnesota PFAS reporting (proposed only as of April 10 – has not passed yet):

  • Original January 2026 reporting deadline pushed to July 1, 2027.
  • Reporting applies only to products manufactured on/after July 1, 2027.
  • Defines currently unavoidable uses that include electronic components and internal enclosures.


Michigan PFAS Protection Act proposed (SB 816):

  • Manufacturers must notify authorities of intentionally added PFAS in specified product categories prior to product release starting Jan. 1, 2028.
  • PFAS-containing covered products prohibited unless labeled (“Made with PFAS chemicals”) starting Jan. 1, 2029.
  • Civil penalties $1,000-$10,000.


Federal PFAS Legislation Proposed

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) filed S.4153, the Forever Chemical Regulation and Accountability Act of 2026, on March 19. This proposed legislation:

  • Addresses PFAS across the domestic supply chain.
  • Focuses on supply chain transparency and manufacturer accountability.
  • 10-year phase-out timeline for non-essential PFAS.
  • May establish nationwide PFAS restrictions.
  • Does not explicitly preempt state-level restrictions that are more stringent than those applicable at the national level.


EU Eyes Expanded PFAS Ban

The European Chemicals Agency released a statement on March 26 that its two scientific committees support EU-wide wide restriction of 10,000+ PFAS chemicals, with a target of 96% emission reduction over 30 years. The public consultation (comments) period is open until May 25, with a final opinion expected by the end of this year.

  • 50 ppm total organic fluorine limit proposed.
  • Expected EU adoption in late 2027.
  • Anticipated enforcement from 2029.


U.S. Trade Representative Section 301 Investigations

USTR has initiated forced labor investigations for 60 countries (most of the United States’ trading partners) under Section 301(b) of the Trade Act of 1974.

  • Section 301 is designed to address unfair foreign practices that burden or restrict U.S. commerce.
  • Findings may grant the administration subjective tariff-setting authority.


Global Organic Textile Standard 8.0 Released

Global Standard has announced GOTS Version 8.0, the latest update to its processing standard for organic textiles. GOTS Version 8.0 can be downloaded on the GOTS website. 

  • Effective March 2027
  • Mandatory OECD-aligned due diligence required for organic cotton claims
  • New provisions on circularity, microfiber management, residue testing, packaging criteria and more.
  • Covers human rights, labor, environment, ethics – including ESG disclosure.