Relating To Environmental Protection.
SB683 expands Hawaii’s restrictions on PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, by prohibiting the manufacture, sale, offer for sale, distribution for sale, or distribution for use in the state of certain consumer products that contain intentionally added PFAS. Beginning January 1, 2028, the bill would apply to food packaging, food service ware, cosmetics, and personal care products, with limited exceptions for hydrofluoroolefins used as cosmetic propellants and certain FDA-regulated drugs, medical devices, dietary supplements, and combination products.
The bill defines key terms such as “food service ware,” “intentionally added PFAS,” “manufacturer,” and “personal care product,” and it repeals the existing statute that already banned PFAS in certain food packaging items such as wraps, liners, plates, food boats, and pizza boxes. In effect, SB683 broadens the scope of Hawaii’s PFAS restrictions from a narrower set of food packaging items to a wider set of packaging, disposable service ware, and personal care consumer products.
SB683 would amend chapter 321 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes by creating a new statewide prohibition on PFAS-containing food packaging, food service ware, cosmetics, and personal care products, while repealing the prior section that covered only certain food packaging items. The bill would also delay the repeal’s effective date until January 1, 2028, aligning the transition period with the new prohibition date. Manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and other parties involved in covered products would need to ensure compliance before the effective date, and products regulated as drugs, medical devices, dietary supplements, or combination products would remain exempt.
The available legislative history suggests generally favorable sentiment toward the bill. It passed the Senate Agriculture and Environment committee on February 10, 2025, with a 5-0 vote and amendments, indicating unanimous support among voting members at that stage. The bill’s findings and purpose section also reflect a strong policy rationale focused on public health and environmental protection, which is consistent with the committee outcome.
The main policy issue appears to be the breadth and timing of the PFAS ban rather than whether PFAS should be restricted at all. The bill expands regulation beyond food packaging to cosmetics and personal care products, which may raise compliance and product reformulation concerns for manufacturers and distributors. The delayed effective date of January 1, 2028 suggests an accommodation for industry transition, while the exemptions for certain FDA-regulated products and cosmetic propellants indicate an effort to avoid unintended overlap with federal regulation and essential product categories.