Committee approves ban on synthetic nitro musks in cosmetics and personal care products
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Summary
The Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee passed AB 60, the "musk reduction" bill by Assemblymember Pappen, to the floor. The bill would restrict synthetic nitro musks in cosmetics and personal care products; proponents cited health and environmental concerns while no witnesses opposed during the hearing.
The Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee voted to send AB 60, authored by Assemblymember Pappen, to the Assembly Floor after a committee hearing where proponents described the measure as a public‑health and environmental protection step.
AB 60—called by the author the "musk reduction act"—would prohibit synthetic nitro musks in cosmetics and personal care products. In presenting the bill, Pappen said the goal is "having a little less musk in the environment" and described nitro musks as synthetic fragrance chemicals that persist in the environment and have been linked in some studies to reproductive and other health risks.
Ryan Spencer of the Environmental Working Group testified in support, citing peer‑reviewed studies and saying nitro musks are persistent, bioaccumulative and have been detected in human tissue and indoor environments. "These chemicals are not just unnecessary. They're dangerous and well documented in the scientific literature as persistent bioaccumulative toxins," Spencer said.
Other supporters included Sharon Gonzales speaking for the cities of San Mateo and Santa Rosa, representatives from California Environmental Voters, Women's Voices for the Earth and Sierra Club California. No one rose to speak in opposition during the hearing.
Committee members discussed the bill's scope and asked about supply chain and product substitution. One member cited Chanel as an example and asked whether manufacturers would withdraw affected products; supporters and the author said manufacturers could substitute other ingredients and that restrictions exist in other jurisdictions. Witnesses and the author referenced other countries' restrictions, saying some nations and the European Union have limited or restricted nitro musks.
Motion and vote: The committee recorded a motion to pass AB 60 to the floor. In the roll call the committee recorded aye votes from Assemblymembers Connolly, Bauer Kehan, Lee, McKinner and Papin (Pappen); Assemblymember Castillo recorded a "no" vote, and Assemblymember Hadwick did not vote. The chair recorded an aye. The committee clerk announced the measure passed out of committee.
Why it matters: Proponents framed the bill as aligning California with international approaches to reduce persistent fragrance chemicals in consumer products and to lower potential human and environmental exposures. The bill will now advance to the Assembly Floor.
