On February 22, 2021, the Washington Department of Ecology (DoC) announced the publication of its report on safer alternatives to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in food packaging as well as the corresponding alternatives assessment.
The report communicates that the agency has now “identified safer alternatives to replace PFAS in wraps and liners, plates, food boats, and pizza boxes.” The agency notes that the submission of this report to the state’s legislature “begins a two-year timeline that will restrict PFAS in these four types of food packaging beginning in early 2023.” The agency will hold a webinar on March 23, 2021 to present the results from the assessment and answer questions.
This update follows the state’s earlier identification of a first set of priority products (FPF reported) within the state’s Safer Products program, which is being carried out under the state’s legislation 70A.350. The state also released a wider draft action plan on PFAS for public comment in October 2020 (FPF reported).
On February 23, 2021, the DoC also announced the publication of working draft documents containing the criteria that are to be used for defining the terms “safer” and “feasible and available” during alternatives assessments. These criteria will play an integral part in enabling the identification of alternatives. The approach planned by the agency for defining these terms was outlined in an earlier webinar in October 2020. Two webinars have been scheduled for March 10 and March 11, 2021 to inform stakeholders about the draft criteria and answer questions.
During this phase of the agency’s work within the Safer Product program, an online public comment form has also been created to allow stakeholders to provide feedback.
Read More
Washington DoC (February 22, 2021). “Sharing the PFAS AA and legislative report.”
Washington DoC (February 22, 2021). “Sharing our working draft criteria for safer, feasible, and available.”
SGS (March 4, 2021). “Washington State, US, prohibits PFAS in certain food packaging.”
Keller and Heckman LLP (March 8, 2021). “Washington State to Ban PFAS in Four Types of Food Packaging.”
References
Washington DoC (February 2021). “Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Food Packaging Alternatives Assessment.”
Washington DoC (February 2021). “Safer Alternatives to PFAS in Food Packaging: Report to the Legislature.”
Washington DoC (February 2021). “Safer Products for Washington | Phase 3 Working Draft Criteria for Safer.” (pdf)
Washington DoC (February 2021). “Safer Products for Washington | Phase 3 Working Draft Criteria for Feasible and Available.” (pdf)
