Environmental health: product safety: perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

Senator Allen's proposal to phase out perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in California consumer products establishes a tiered timeline for eliminating these chemicals from various product categories. The legislation creates immediate restrictions on certain consumer goods while allowing longer transition periods for products with more complex technical requirements.

Beginning January 1, 2027, the bill prohibits the sale of PFAS-containing cleaning products, cookware, dental floss, juvenile products, food packaging, and ski wax. A broader ban on PFAS in most consumer products takes effect in 2035, followed by restrictions on specific technical applications like refrigerants, solvents, and fire suppressants by 2040.

The Department of Toxic Substances Control may grant exemptions when manufacturers demonstrate PFAS use is "currently unavoidable" - meaning no safer alternatives exist, the PFAS function is necessary for the product to work, and the use is critical for health, safety or societal function. These determinations expire after five years unless renewed. The department must maintain a public list of exemptions and their expiration dates.

To implement these restrictions, the department must adopt regulations by January 1, 2027, including an application fee structure for manufacturers seeking exemptions. These fees will fund a new PFAS Oversight Fund to cover administrative costs. Manufacturers must petition for unavoidable use determinations by 2030 for most products and 2035 for technical applications, with final determinations due by 2034 and 2039 respectively.

The legislation builds upon existing PFAS regulations while expanding definitions and enforcement mechanisms. The department retains authority to test products, issue violations, assess penalties, and seek injunctions against non-compliant entities.