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Bill would restrict synthetic nitro musks in personal care products, sponsors say it follows EU precedent
Summary
AB 60 (Musk Reduction Act) would heavily restrict five synthetic nitro musks in cosmetics and personal care products, aligning California with EU restrictions. Supporters from environmental and public‑health groups testified; committee took the bill and accepted amendments.
Assemblymember Pappen presented AB 60, the “musk reduction act,” proposing heavy restrictions on five synthetic nitro musks used as fragrance ingredients in personal care products and cleaning formulations. The sponsor described evidence linking nitro musks to endocrine disruption, reproductive harms and environmental persistence.
Why it matters: Supporters said nitro musks bioaccumulate in human tissues and the environment, and pointed to the European Union and other jurisdictions that have restricted or banned these compounds. Witnesses described health outcomes associated in studies, including hormonal disruption and links to reproductive disorders.
Support testimony: Susan Little, California legislative director for the Environmental Working Group, testified that nitro musks bioaccumulate and that industry voluntary guidelines already ban several of the referenced compounds; she asked the committee for support. Fatima Iqbal Zubair of California Environmental Voters framed the issue as an environmental justice concern, saying overburdened communities face compounded exposures.
Technical discussion: Committee members asked about implementation timing. The author and witnesses said many manufacturers already moved away from these chemistries and that the bill contains an implementation date (witness noted 2027). The author accepted amendments and thanked the committee.
Ending: The author said she would respectfully ask for an aye vote when the committee convened a quorum. The committee accepted the bill’s amendments and advanced the measure for further consideration.
