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Maine was one of the first U.S. states to adopt a statewide strategy to eliminate PFAS from consumer products — and it remains one of the most aggressive.
Under Maine LD 1503 (An Act To Stop Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Pollution), Maine has established a phased framework that combines:
- early product-specific bans
- targeted manufacturer notification requirements
- and a long-term general prohibition on intentionally added PFAS
However, the law has changed materially since it was enacted in 2021. Several original deadlines and assumptions are now obsolete.
What Is Maine’s PFAS Law (LD 1503)?
LD 1503 was enacted in July 2021 and is codified primarily in 38 M.R.S. §1614.
Maine adopted a very broad definition of PFAS, covering the entire class of fluorinated organic chemicals rather than a short list of named substances. In implementation, Maine DEP has aligned its approach with EPA chemical inventories (including CompTox), which significantly expands the universe of substances manufacturers must consider.
Key implication: If PFAS are intentionally added anywhere in a product or its components, the product is in scope unless an explicit exemption applies.
How Maine’s PFAS Framework Is Structured
Maine’s law is not a single deadline. It operates on three layers:
- Immediate product bans (already in effect)
- Phased product-category prohibitions (2026, 2029)
- A general PFAS prohibition (2032), with limited exceptions
Manufacturer notification is no longer universal — it is now tied to whether PFAS use is allowed to continue under a “currently unavoidable use” (CUU) determination.
PFAS Product Bans Already in Effect (Since 2023)
Carpets, Rugs, and Fabric Treatments
As of January 1, 2023, Maine prohibits the sale of:
- carpets
- rugs
- fabric treatments
that contain intentionally added PFAS.
Key points:
- Used carpets and rugs are exempt
- Fabric treatments may also be prohibited if PFAS are present in the product or its packaging
These bans are active and enforceable.
Maine PFAS Reporting: What Changed (and What Didn’t)
What Is No Longer True
- There is no blanket requirement to report PFAS in all products sold in Maine
- Maine’s reporting is not triggered by EPA TSCA Section 8(a)(7)
- The originally anticipated January 1, 2025 universal reporting deadline no longer exists
What Is True Today
Manufacturer notification to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is required only when PFAS use is allowed to continue after a prohibition date under a CUU determination.
In other words:
- Reporting follows prohibition, not the other way around
- Notification is conditional, not universal
Phased PFAS Prohibitions in Maine (Current Timeline)
January 1, 2026 — First Major Expansion
From this date, Maine prohibits the sale of several additional product categories containing intentionally added PFAS, including:
- cleaning products
- cookware
- cosmetic products
- dental floss
- juvenile products
- menstruation products
- textile articles (with limited exceptions)
- ski wax
- upholstered furniture
Products may only remain on the market if DEP determines PFAS use is currently unavoidable.
January 1, 2029 — Additional Categories
Further prohibitions take effect, including:
-
outdoor apparel for severe wet conditions
- must carry the disclosure “Made with PFAS chemicals” while allowed
-
artificial turf
Again, continued sales depend on CUU determinations.
January 1, 2032 — General PFAS Prohibition
Beginning January 1, 2032:
No product containing intentionally added PFAS may be sold in Maine, unless the product qualifies for a statutory exemption or an approved CUU determination.
This date replaces the earlier 2030 deadline that is often still cited in outdated guidance.
January 1, 2040 — Specialized Equipment
Certain categories such as HVAC, refrigeration equipment, foams, and aerosol propellants are addressed on a later timeline, reflecting federal SNAP and technical feasibility constraints.
Manufacturer Notification Requirements (When Applicable)
When DEP allows PFAS use to continue under a CUU determination, manufacturers must submit written notification.
DEP currently accepts common electronic formats (e.g., spreadsheets).
Required Information Includes:
- product description
- purpose of PFAS use (including affected components)
- quantity of each PFAS
- manufacturer name, address, and contact person
- any additional information required by DEP rule or request
This is substance-level disclosure, not high-level certification.
Who Must Comply
Any manufacturer or brand owner that places products on the Maine market is responsible for compliance.
Important clarifications:
-
Liability sits with the article manufacturer, not the chemical supplier
-
Supplier declarations are necessary but do not transfer liability
-
CUU determinations and exemptions are:
- limited in scope
- time-bound
- not industry-wide by default
Strategic Compliance Implications
Broad PFAS Definition = High Data Risk
Because Maine regulates PFAS as a class, not a list:
- suppliers often do not know whether PFAS are present
- legacy materials and coatings are high-risk
- unsupported “PFAS-free” claims are dangerous
Reporting Is No Longer the Main Challenge — Prohibition Is
The 2032 general ban is the real compliance cliff.
Companies waiting for a reporting notice will be forced into rushed reformulation.
Maine Is a Policy Signal
Maine’s structure has influenced:
- Minnesota
- Washington
- Connecticut
- New York
Expect increasing alignment across U.S. states, not divergence.
What Companies Should Do Now
- Identify products sold into Maine
- Map intentionally added PFAS at material and component level
- Track product categories against 2026 / 2029 / 2032 deadlines
- Prepare for CUU-linked notification where unavoidable
- Build PFAS-free reformulation roadmaps early
Waiting until enforcement letters arrive is already too late.
Final Takeaway
Maine LD 1503 is no longer about paperwork. It is about removing PFAS from products — permanently.
Manufacturers that treat Maine as an edge case will face repeated market disruptions. Manufacturers that invest in material-level PFAS intelligence will scale across every U.S. jurisdiction.