Search

Vermont Bans PFAS from Food Packaging and More

Posted on 5/21/2021 by Lauren Scott

On May 18, Vermont Governor Phil Scott signed legislation into law that would effectively prohibit the sale of certain products containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The legislation will ban these “Forever Chemicals” from food packaging, ski wax, firefighting foams, carpets, rugs, and aftermarket stain and water-resistant treatments.

This legislation goes into effect on July 1, 2021. Firefighting foam manufacturer will be required to stop producing, distributing, and selling products containing PFAS by no later than July 1, 2022. Similar constraints on manufacturers of food packaging, rugs, carpets (as well as related treatment products), and ski wax must be followed by July 1, 2023.

View the bill here.

The ban comes after a landmark study found elevated levels of PFAS in all samples of US women's breast milk that were tested. The samples tested had PFAS levels nearly 2,000 times higher than the safe amount in drinking water recommended by public health advocates.
 

The Move to Phase PFAS Out of Food Packaging

Several other State and local governments have begun the process of phasing out PFAS and other potentially harmful chemicals from food packaging. Maine and Washington are expected to begin statewide phaseouts of PFAS in food packaging on January 1, 2022. On December 3, 2020, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a bill prohibiting PFAS in food packaging, to take effect in 2023.

Congresswoman Debbie Dingell introduced Federal legislation to ban PFAS in food packaging in 2019.

Many retailers have also taken steps to eliminate potentially harmful chemicals from their products. At least eighteen food retailers have announced plans to reduce or eliminate PFAS from food packaging, including Amazon Kitchen, Chipotle, Trade Joe’s, and Whole Foods Market.
 

Convenient, Effective Online EHS Manager Training

Managing site compliance with the many complex EPA programs that affect your business—from the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts to TSCA, EPCRA, CERLCA, and more—is a major challenge. If you’re new to the field or need an update on changing EPA rules, online training is a convenient way to quickly build in-depth expertise.

The Complete Environmental Regulations online course will prepare you to identify your site's liabilities and responsibilities under major environmental laws and regulations. This course is ideal for new EHS managers, environmental consultants, and anyone who wants clarity about how complex environmental requirements fit together. 

Or check out these courses on specific EPA programs:
 
Clean Air Act Regulations Online
TSCA Regulations Online
Clean Water Act & SDWA Regulations Online
Superfund and Right-to-Know Act Regulations Online 
 

Tags: compliance, environmental, EPA, PFAS, Vermont

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

Excellent course. Very interactive. Explanations are great whether you get the questions wrong or right.

Gregory Thompson

Environmental, Health & Safety Regional Manager

I had a positive experience utilizing this educational program. It was very informative, convenient, and rewarding from a career perspective.

John Gratacos

Logistics Manager

I like the consistency of Lion workshops. The materials are well put together and instructors are top notch!

Kevin Pylka

Permitting, Compliance & Environmental Manager

We have a very busy work schedule and using Lion enables us to take the course at our own time. It makes it easy for me to schedule my employees' training.

Timothy Mertes

Hazmat Shipping Professional

Lion is at the top of the industry in compliance training. Course content and structure are updated frequently to make annual re-training enjoyable. I like that Lion has experts that I can contact for 1 year after the training.

Caroline Froning

Plant Chemist

I like Lion's workshops the best because they really dig into the information you need to have when you leave the workshop.

Tom Bush, Jr.

EHS Manager

The instructor was very engaging and helped less experienced people understand the concepts.

Steve Gall

Safety Leader

I love that the instructor emphasized the thought process behind the regs.

Rebecca Saxena

Corporate Product Stewardship Specialist

One of the best trainings I have ever received!

Brandon Morfin

EH&S Manager

The price was reasonable, the time to complete the course was manageable, and the flexibility the online training allowed made it easy to complete.

Felicia Rutledge

Hazmat Shipping Professional

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Get to know the top 5 changes to OSHA’s revised GHS Hazard Communication Standard at 29 CFR 1910.1200 and how the updates impacts employee safety at your facility.

Latest Whitepaper

By submitting your phone number, you agree to receive recurring marketing and training text messages. Consent to receive text messages is not required for any purchases. Text STOP at any time to cancel. Message and data rates may apply. View our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.