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Committee reviews cosmetics‑lead report comparing Washington implementation; state may seek intermediate limit
Summary
The committee reviewed a Department report analyzing Washington State’s attempt to limit lead in cosmetics to 0.1 parts per million; members concluded Washington has not fully implemented that strict limit and discussed pursuing an intermediate standard higher than Washington’s statutory target but below the federal 10 ppm allowance.
The committee reviewed a report on lead levels in cosmetics that the Department submitted after studying Washington State’s implementation of a 0.1 parts‑per‑million (ppm) limit.
Reporter Brenda said the report summarizes regulatory steps Washington took and includes a five‑page policy statement. Washington required manufacturers selling in that state to notify Ecology if they would follow the interim policy; the Ecology report shows many manufacturers found a strict 0.1 ppm limit difficult or impossible to meet in some products.
Brenda told the committee that Ecology “made a determination not to enforce a strict compliance with the 1 PPM limit on the lead with respect to a cosmetic product” and instead required manufacturers to reduce lead to the lowest level practicable. Committee members said Vermont should not mirror Washington’s strict 0.1 ppm standard now but could consider an intermediate limit that is lower than the current federal allowance of 10 ppm.
The committee discussed that Washington’s experience suggests full implementation of a 0.1 ppm ceiling may not be feasible and that an incremental change could be more practical. No statutory changes were adopted in committee; members said the material will be useful if the Legislature considers PFAS or chemical‑regulation bills addressing lead in cosmetics next year.
