An Act to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 23 of Chapter 2 of Title 32.1 a section numbered 32.1-73.28:1, relating to menstrual products ingredient labeling; civil penalty.
HB998 adds a new section to the Virginia Code requiring ingredient labeling for menstrual products sold or distributed in the Commonwealth. The bill defines “menstrual product” broadly to include disposable or reusable items such as tampons, pads, discs, menstrual cups, and menstrual underwear, and it requires manufacturers to list all non-confidential ingredients on the package or box in descending order of predominance. Manufacturers must also post the same label information on their websites and update both package labels and website disclosures within specified timeframes if ingredients are changed, added, or removed.
The bill creates an exception for “confidential substances,” which are ingredients protected under certain federal trade secret, EPA, or FDA-related standards. If a manufacturer chooses not to disclose a confidential substance to protect its identity, it must still identify that substance by its common name in the required label information. The act becomes effective January 1, 2027, and it does not restrict the sale of menstrual products manufactured before that date.
HB998 amends Title 32.1 of the Code of Virginia by adding a new consumer disclosure requirement for menstrual product manufacturers. It affects packaging, labeling, and online disclosure practices for products sold in Virginia, and it applies to both in-state and out-of-state manufacturers whose products are distributed in the Commonwealth. Violations are treated as prohibited practices under the Virginia Consumer Protection Act, making the new labeling rules enforceable through existing consumer protection remedies and penalties.
No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no direct evidence of debate or opposition in the supplied materials. The bill’s enactment suggests it ultimately received sufficient support to pass both chambers and be signed into law. Based on the text alone, the measure appears to be framed as a consumer transparency and product-information bill rather than a controversial regulatory overhaul.
The main potential point of contention is the balance between consumer right-to-know and manufacturer confidentiality. Supporters would likely favor disclosure of ingredients in menstrual products for health, safety, and transparency reasons, while manufacturers may object to the burden of updating labels and websites or to the risk of revealing proprietary formulations. The bill addresses that concern by exempting certain confidential substances, but the scope of that exemption and how common-name disclosure will work could still be disputed.