WSR 23-24-088
DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY
[Filed December 5, 2023, 3:33 p.m.]
Notice of Public Comment Period and Public Meeting
Washington state department of ecology invites you to review and comment on the Safer Products for Washington Cycle 1.5 Draft Regulatory Determinations report.
The Washington state department of ecology (ecology), together with the department of health, published the Cycle 1.5 Draft Regulatory Determinations Report to the legislature. This report contains draft regulatory determinations for firefighting personal protective equipment (PPE) and other products recommended in the 2021 PFAS Chemical Action Plan (CAP).
Apparel and gear
Firefighting PPE
Cleaning products
Automotive washes
Automotive waxes
Floor waxes
Ski waxes
We invite you to review the draft report and provide written comments from December 6, 2023, to January 12, 2024. Ecology will host webinars on December 13 and 14, 2023.
Viewing the draft report: Starting on December 6, 2023, you can find the Cycle 1.5 Draft Regulatory Determinations Report at https://apps.ecology.wa.gov/publications/SummaryPages/2304062.html.
Submitting written comments: Ecology will accept online comments on the draft report from December 6, 2023, to January 12, 2024. You must submit comments no later than 11:59 p.m. PST on January 12, 2024.
To submit a comment online, please fill out the online comment form https://hwtr.ecology.commentinput.com/?id=UguCSsFZD.
Join us for an informational meeting. Ecology will host two webinars to provide an overview of the cycle 1.5 draft report and answer questions:
Wednesday, December 13, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. PST. Join through the Zoom link https://waecy-wa-gov.zoom.us/j/81363379241; or join by phone +1 253-215-8782, Meeting ID 813 6337 9241.
Thursday, December 14, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. PST. Join through the Zoom link https://waecy-wa-gov.zoom.us/j/83607482697; or join by phone +1 253-215-8782, Meeting ID 836 0748 2697.
Project background: In 2019, the Washington state legislature directed ecology to implement a regulatory program to reduce toxic chemicals in consumer products under chapter 70A.350 RCW. The implementation program is called safer products for Washington. The law requires ecology, in consultation with Washington department of health, to determine regulatory actions that will increase transparency and reduce the use of priority chemicals in priority consumer products.
In 2022, the Washington state legislature amended chapter 70A.350 RCW to require ecology to make regulatory determinations on additional products containing PFAS as part of our work under the safer products for Washington implementation program. The amended law allows ecology to consider firefighting PPE and products identified in the 2021 PFAS CAP as priority products without taking the actions outlined in RCW 70A.350.030. We are required to make an initial set of regulatory determinations on these products by June 2024 and adopt rules by December 2025. As this work falls between the due dates for our first two review cycles, we are referring to this new review as "Cycle 1.5."
Ecology contact: If you have any questions, please contact the safer products for Washington communications consultant, Autumn Falls, Hazardous Waste and Toxics Reduction Program, email Autumn.Falls@ecy.wa.gov.