Bans carcinogens, reproductive toxicants, flame resistant chemicals, and volatile organic compounds from certain hair products.

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Renee Burgess and 2 co-sponsors

Prohibits sale/manufacture of synthetic hair products that emit VOCs or contain added carcinogens, reproductive toxicants, or flame-resistant chemicals in NJ.

Reported out of Senate Committee, 2nd Reading

#pubsafety

Purpose

To prohibit the intentional addition of certain hazardous chemicals — including specified carcinogens, reproductive toxicants, flame resistant chemicals, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) — to hair products made from synthetic fibers, thereby reducing consumer and worker exposure to those chemicals.

Key provisions

Definitions

"Hair product": a product made by synthesizing artificial materials (e.g., polyester, nylon, acrylic, cellulose) into fibers processed to resemble human hair (covers synthetic wigs, extensions, similar fiber hair products).
"Carcinogen": chemicals classified as Group 1 or 2A by WHO/IARC; “known” or “reasonably anticipated” human carcinogens by HHS; or EPA Group A or B carcinogens.
"Reproductive toxicant": chemicals identified by HHS/NTP Center for the Evaluation of Risks to Human Reproduction as reproductive or developmental toxicants.
"Volatile organic compound" (VOC): as defined by NJ law (P.L.1995, c.188, C.26:2C‑2).
(Note: the bill prohibits "flame resistant chemicals" but does not further define them in the text provided.)

Prohibitions

It is unlawful to manufacture, sell, distribute, or offer for sale in New Jersey any covered hair product that:
emits VOCs when used as intended; or
contains an intentionally added carcinogen, reproductive toxicant, or flame resistant chemical.

Enforcement and penalties

A violation is treated as an unlawful practice under the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act.
Civil penalties: up to $10,000 for a first offense and up to $20,000 for subsequent offenses.
Remedies may include cease-and-desist orders issued by the Attorney General, punitive damages, treble damages, and recovery of costs by injured parties.

Effective date

The act would take effect on the first day of the thirteenth month after enactment. The Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs may take anticipatory administrative actions to implement the law sooner.

Who is affected

Directly: manufacturers, importers, distributors, wholesalers, and retailers of synthetic fiber hair products sold or offered in New Jersey (e.g., synthetic wigs, hairpieces, extensions).

Indirectly: salons, distributors and retailers serving New Jersey consumers, supply-chain entities that provide chemicals or treated fibers, and consumers (reduced exposure to listed toxicants; potential changes in product availability and pricing).

Procedural status and sponsors

Introduced: February 5, 2025 (Senator Jessica Ramos, primary sponsor).

Legislative actions: Referred to Labor (2/5/2025), amended/recommitted and printed as 4477A (2/20/2025), introduced to Senate and referred to Senate Commerce Committee (5/19/2025).

Most recent status: Reported favorably out of the Senate Commerce Committee, 2nd Reading (June 12, 2025).

Related/companion bills: S-8555 (prior session), A-5726 and A-5954 (companion bills in Assembly).

Practical considerations

The bill targets intentional addition and VOC emissions when products are used as intended; compliance may require reformulation, testing, supplier certification, and labeling changes.

Absence of a specific statutory definition for "flame resistant chemicals" may create implementation or enforcement ambiguities that could be addressed administratively or in subsequent legislative language.

Bill