California’s SB 682 Would Restrict “Forever Chemicals” in Consumer Products by 2028

In a recent update, Farella Braun & Martel reported that the California Senate has passed SB 682, which would sharply restrict the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly referred to as “forever chemicals,” in consumer products. If signed into law, an outcome the firm notes is likely given prior legislative trends, the ban would take effect January 1, 2028, covering a wide array of items from food packaging and cookware to cleaning products, juvenile goods, dental floss, and ski wax.

PFAS have been used for decades in products requiring grease, stain, or water resistance, but their persistence in the environment and human body has fueled growing regulation. SB 682 defines “intentionally added PFAS” broadly, capturing substances added directly or created during manufacturing processes such as plastic fluorination. Exemptions would apply only where federal law preempts state authority or for previously used items.

The bill’s scope for “food packaging” is expansive, encompassing packaging materials, containers, receptacles, trays, wrappers, and associated components. However, products made mostly from plant-based fibers are excluded, as they were already banned under California’s AB 1200 in 2023.

Compliance obligations will intensify starting July 1, 2030, when manufacturers must, upon request, provide the Department of Toxic Substances Control with compliance certifications, technical documentation, and test results. Farella Braun & Martel cautions that reformulation alone may not prevent detectable PFAS due to contamination in process water, equipment lubricants, or misinterpretations during testing.

For compliance teams, SB 682 signals the need for immediate planning. Companies should evaluate product lines, supply chains, and testing protocols to meet the 2028 deadline or risk losing access to the California market. The legislation, if enacted, would be among the state’s most sweeping restrictions on forever chemicals to date.