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Bill

Bill

A 1740

Prohibits sale of cosmetic products and personal care products containing 1,4-dioxane.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Linda Carter and 2 co-sponsors

New Jersey would ban selling cosmetics and personal care products with 1,4-dioxane above set trace levels, with DEP setting and update limits and allowing short-term manufacturer w

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Consumer Affairs Committee
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · A 1740

Overview

  • Bill: A 1740 (New Jersey)
  • Session: 222
  • Jurisdiction: New Jersey
  • Topic: Prohibits sale of cosmetic and personal care products containing 1,4-dioxane; establishes trace level standards and enforcement framework.
  • Introduced: January 13, 2026; Referred to Assembly Consumer Affairs Committee
  • Sponsors: Primary sponsor with three co-sponsors (Linda Carter, Shama Haider, Verlina Reynolds-Jackson)

Purpose and intent

  • The bill aims to reduce human exposure to 1,4-dioxane, a potential human carcinogen that can be present as a byproduct in certain cosmetic and personal care products.
  • It prohibits the sale or offering for sale cosmetic products and personal care products containing 1,4-dioxane above specified trace concentrations.
  • It directs the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to establish allowable trace concentrations and oversee implementation, including waiver processes for ongoing reductions by manufacturers.

Key provisions

  • Definitions:
    • Cosmetic product: Any article applied to the body to beautify or alter appearance, excluding products that require a prescription.
    • Personal care product: Products used for cleaning or cleansing the body (e.g., shampoo, conditioner, soap) excluding prescription-only items.
    • Commissioner: Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
    • Department: New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJ DEP).
  • Prohibition timeline:
    • Starting one year after the effective date, sale of cosmetic or personal care products containing 1,4-dioxane is prohibited unless the concentration is within allowable trace levels set by the commissioner.
  • Allowable trace concentrations (established by Commissioner):
    • Cosmetic products: up to 10 parts per million (ppm).
    • Personal care products: up to 2 ppm for the initial two years after the effective date; then, after two years, the limit tightens to 1 ppm.
  • Review of standards:
    • No later than three years after the effective date, the Commissioner must review the allowable trace concentrations to determine if further reductions are warranted to better protect health and the environment.
  • Waivers:
    • Manufacturers may apply to the DEP for a one-year waiver for a specific product if they have undertaken steps to reduce 1,4-dioxane and cannot yet comply.
    • A second one-year waiver may be granted if similar proof is provided.
  • Enforcement and rulemaking:
    • The DEP must adopt rules and regulations under the Administrative Procedure Act to implement the bill.
  • Effective date:
    • The act takes effect immediately, with prohibitions applying one year after enactment.

Affected parties and impact

  • Manufacturers and distributors of cosmetic products and personal care products in New Jersey.
  • Consumers will be indirectly protected by reduced exposure to 1,4-dioxane in products.
  • DEP regulators will oversee compliance, set trace standards, and process waiver requests.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Effective timeline:
    • Immediate enactment: provisions in place and DEP to start rulemaking.
    • One year after enactment: prohibition on sale of products exceeding set trace concentrations.
    • Two years after enactment: for personal care products, the initial 2 ppm limit remains in effect before potential tightening to 1 ppm after two years.
    • Three-year review: Commissioner must evaluate whether to lower trace concentration standards.
  • Waivers:
    • Two possible one-year waivers per product, contingent on demonstrated progress toward reduction.

Context and rationale

  • The bill mirrors similar New York law (Chapter 613, 2019) that prohibits sale of products with 1,4-dioxane and sets trace limits.
  • 1,4-dioxane is a byproduct of manufacturing certain ingredients; it’s scrutinized as a potential carcinogen, and the FDA has previously recommended mitigation methods like vacuum stripping.

Summary

New Jersey would ban the sale of cosmetic and personal care products containing 1,4-dioxane beyond defined trace levels one year after enactment. The DEP would set allowable concentrations (cosmetics: up to 10 ppm; personal care products: up to 2 ppm for two years, then 1 ppm thereafter) and periodically reassess these standards. Manufacturers could obtain up to two one-year waivers per product if they demonstrate ongoing reduction efforts. The measure emphasizes regulatory oversight through DEP rulemaking and aims to reduce consumer exposure to a hazardous chemical.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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