Requires a plain and conspicuous printed list of all ingredients listed in order of predominance on diapers sold in the state; imposes a civil penalty of one percent of the manufacturer's total annual in-state sales not to exceed one thousand dollars per package or box on the manufacturer.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A43C
SPONSOR: Rosenthal L TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the general business law, in relation to labeling of
ingredients of diapers
PURPOSE:
This bill requires labeling of ingredients on packages or boxes of
diapers.
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section one amends the general business law by adding a new section
399-aaaaaa.
Section two sets forth the effective date.
JUSTIFICATION:
Babies and toddlers wear diapers around the clock. A typical child will
wear thousands of diapers during their lifetime. Unless cloth or organic
diapers are used, however, consumers have no idea what chemicals are
present in disposable diapers because product packaging is not required
to contain ingredient labeling.
A new line of research suggests that the chemical composition of certain
diapers could pose serious, long term risks to infant health and their
developing bodies. One report published in the medical journal, Repro-
ductive Toxicology, suggests that the concentration of volatile organic
compounds (including methylene chloride, toluene and xylene) in commonly
used disposable diapers could be significantly higher than the concen-
tration found in common commercial plastic products. Unlike plastic
products like sippy cups, disposable diapers are in direct and constant
contact with infant and toddler external genitalia and mucus membranes.
Consumers have a right to know whether the products they put on their
children's bodies are safe. Requiring product ingredient labeling will
provide consumers with information that is vital to their purchasing
decisions, and potentially their children's health.
This legislation requires that every package or box containing diapers
sold in New York State contain a clear list of all ingredients, with
diaper components listed in order of predominance. The legislation
establishes a civil penalty of one percent of the manufacturer's total
amount of in state sales. This legislation is intended to safeguard the
health and wellness of newborns and toddlers statewide, against the
risks of prolonged exposure to volatile chemicals.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2021-22: A.3617 - Referred to Consumer Affairs and Protection; S.8036
-Consumer Protection
2019-20: A.6561 - Referred to Consumer Affairs and Protection
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Undetermined.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.
