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New York has introduced one of the most targeted PFAS product bans in the United States.
With New York Senate Bill S992-B, the state is prohibiting the sale and distribution of anti-fogging sprays and wipes containing intentionally added PFAS, effective December 31, 2025.
This is not a disclosure rule. It is a product-level market restriction.
If your company manufactures, imports, private-labels, or sells anti-fogging products in New York, this law directly affects your product portfolio.
What Is Being Regulated?
Senate Bill S992-B creates a new title under New York’s Environmental Conservation Law that specifically targets anti-fogging sprays and wipes.
These products are widely used across:
- consumer safety and cleaning products
- eyewear and optics
- industrial and medical applications
- electronics and display maintenance
Because anti-fogging products are high-dispersion by design, regulators treat them as direct PFAS release pathways.
Why New York Is Targeting PFAS
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are classified by regulators as persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic.
They are commonly referred to as “forever chemicals” because they:
- do not break down naturally
- accumulate in human tissue
- migrate easily into water and soil
Regulatory and scientific assessments link PFAS exposure to:
- certain cancers
- liver and kidney toxicity
- thyroid disruption
- immune system suppression
- developmental effects in children
From a policy standpoint, PFAS are no longer treated as isolated chemical risks — they are managed as system-wide environmental contaminants.
Key Provisions of Senate Bill S992-B
1. Definitions (Section 37-1101)
The law establishes binding definitions for:
- anti-fogging sprays and wipes
- manufacturers and distributors
- PFAS substances
This removes ambiguity around product scope and responsibility.
2. Applicability (Section 37-1103)
The prohibition applies to:
- distribution
- sale
- offering for sale
This means manufacturing location is irrelevant. If the product enters New York commerce, the law applies.
3. Prohibition (Section 37-1105)
Anti-fogging products may not contain intentionally added PFAS.
There are:
- no exemptions listed
- no safe-harbor concentration thresholds
- no reliance on disclosure as an alternative
This is a hard ban, not a reporting obligation.
4. Product Labeling (Section 37-1107)
Products may be labeled “PFAS-Free.”
This is optional, but once used:
- the claim must be technically defensible
- supporting documentation must exist
- enforcement agencies can challenge false or misleading claims
5. Rules and Enforcement (Section 37-1111)
The state commissioner is authorized to:
- issue enforcement rules
- define testing and verification methods
- clarify compliance expectations
This creates future regulatory risk for companies relying on weak supplier declarations.
6. Penalties (Section 37-1113)
Violations may result in:
- up to $10,000 for a first offense
- up to $25,000 for subsequent offenses
Penalties are assessed per violation, not per company.
Who Must Comply
This law impacts:
- manufacturers of anti-fogging sprays and wipes
- private-label brand owners
- distributors and importers
- retailers offering covered products in New York
If you are upstream or downstream in the supply chain, liability does not disappear.
Compliance Implications for Businesses
Formulation Risk
Companies must verify whether PFAS are:
- intentionally added for performance
- embedded in coatings or additives
- introduced via raw materials or processing aids
Yes/no declarations are no longer sufficient.
Documentation Risk
Expect scrutiny of:
- formulation data
- supplier material disclosures
- SDS and technical files
- marketing and “PFAS-Free” claims
Without material-level visibility, compliance becomes reactive and error-prone.
Market Access Risk
Companies that do not reformulate by the enforcement date will:
- lose access to the New York market
- face penalties for non-compliant sales
- risk spillover exposure as other states adopt similar bans
Environmental Impact
Anti-fogging products are designed to be:
- sprayed
- wiped
- washed off
That makes them direct environmental release sources.
By eliminating PFAS at the product level, New York is focusing on source prevention, not downstream remediation — a model increasingly favored by regulators.
What This Signals for the U.S. Market
Senate Bill S992-B is part of a broader trend:
- state-level PFAS product bans
- narrowing of “essential use” arguments
- shift from disclosure → prohibition
For national manufacturers, state-by-state reformulation is not scalable. PFAS-free product design is becoming the default compliance strategy.
What Companies Should Do Now
With enforcement set for December 31, 2025, companies should:
- Identify anti-fogging products in scope
- Validate formulations at the material and substance level
- Engage suppliers for defensible PFAS data
- Reformulate or exit affected SKUs
- Prepare documentation for enforcement and audits
Waiting for guidance is a risk — not a strategy.
Final Takeaway
New York Senate Bill S992-B is not a symbolic PFAS policy. It is a product-level compliance gate.
For manufacturers and distributors, the question is no longer whether PFAS bans will expand — but how quickly your data and formulations can adapt.