Dingell, Colleagues Lead Legislation to Ban PFAS in Cosmetics

U.S. Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), and Laura Friedman (D-CA-30), introduced the bipartisan No PFAS in Cosmetics Act, which would ban the use of harmful forever chemicals known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in cosmetics. The legislation would require the Food and Drug Administration to ban the use of PFAS in cosmetic products within 270 days of the bill's enactment.

"PFAS chemicals are in products that we use every single day, including cosmetics and personal care products. Too often these dangerous chemicals are not disclosed on packaging and labels, meaning most Americans don't even know they're using them," Congresswoman Dingell said. "Studies have linked PFAS chemicals to a variety of health hazards, and we need a strong, bipartisan effort to address this crisis. The No PFAS in Cosmetics Act takes important steps to protect consumers and prevent the continued proliferation of forever chemicals."

"We know the risks posed by PFAS, and we have a responsibility to act wherever exposure can be prevented. Real progress means not only cleaning up contamination after the fact, but stopping unnecessary exposure before it happens. Americans deserve confidence in the products they bring into their homes and use every day. The No PFAS in Cosmetics Act is a practical, bipartisan step to protect consumers and continue moving these toxic forever chemicals out of our products and our communities," said Congressman Fitzpatrick, Co-Chair of the Bipartisan PFAS Task Force.

"Americans shouldn't need a chemistry degree to know if their shampoo and makeup are safe, yet toxic forever chemicals are hiding in products in nearly every bathroom in the country, often with no label to warn us," said Congresswoman Laura Friedman. "In the Assembly, I wrote California's law banning PFAS from cosmetics, but every American deserves that same peace of mind. I'm proud to work with Rep. Dingell, a leader on forever chemicals, to take that fight nationwide with this commonsense, bipartisan bill."

The No PFAS in Cosmetics Act is endorsed by Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, Buen Vecino, CleanEarth4Kids.org, ENVmedicine, Northeast Organic Dairy Producers Alliance, Center for Environmental Health, Beyond Pesticides, Plastic Free Future, California Black Health Network, LA Water Keeper, The Oregon Environmental Council, Breast Cancer Over Time, Mamavation.com, Innersense Beauty, Green America, Credo Beauty, California Healthy Nail Salons, Environmental Defense Action Fund.

"The science is clear: PFAS chemicals are linked to breast and other cancers, birth defects, hormone disruption, and organ damage - yet they're still hiding in the products we use every single day," said Suzanne Price, CEO at Breast Cancer Prevention Partners. "We applaud Representatives Dingell, Fitzpatrick, and Friedman for stepping up where industry hasn't. The No PFAS in Cosmetics Act builds on the bipartisan momentum states have already built to phase PFAS out of consumer goods - protecting people from health harms no matter where they live, shop, or work."

"Using the science-based definition of PFAS, these bills would ban the entire class of PFAS in food packaging and personal care products. Despite industry claims that not all PFAS are the same, there are no 'safer' PFAS. All PFAS are persistent and toxic, and we must eliminate all non-essential uses as soon as possible. There is no reason to allow the continued use of PFAS in packaging that can leach into our food or in personal care products that we put directly on our bodies," said Shakoora Azimi-Gaylon, Senior Director, Toxic Exposures and Pollution Prevention, Center for Environmental Health.

PFAS chemicals are persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic-and can be found at some level in 98% of Americans today. These chemicals have been linked to harmful human health effects, increased cholesterol levels, changes in liver enzymes, decreases in infant birth weights, and increased risk of certain cancers.

Congresswoman Dingell has been a strong leader in the fight against PFAS and has championed policies to get PFAS out of drinking water and the environment and ban forever chemicals in products from food packaging to firefighter gear. In June 2026, Congresswoman Dingell led over 100 of her House colleagues in urging the Trump Administration to protect safe drinking water standards and address PFAS contamination that poses risks to the physical health and environmental health of communities across America. In 2023, Representatives Dingell, Fitzpatrick, and Ryan, introduced the PFAS Action Act, bipartisan legislation to establish a national drinking water standard for select PFAS chemicals, accelerate designation of PFOA and PFOS chemicals as hazardous substances, limit industrial discharge, and provide $200 million annually to assist water utilities and wastewater treatment.