Congresswoman Pingree Co-introduces Bill to Help Outdoor Retailers Phase Out Chemicals

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Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) at a Meetig on Maine Vet Homelessness at Hanaford Hall, USM, Portland Last Year.

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-ME) today co-introduced the bipartisan “Protect Our Clothes From PFAS Act”, to make it easier for outdoor retailers to sell safer apparel that does not contain PFAS.  The bill aims to eliminate a significant trade barrier that currently penalizes companies for choosing environmentally friendly alternatives to these harmful “forever chemicals” in water resistant apparel.  Blake Moore (R-UT) is the other co-introducsor of the bill.

“Mainers have come to know how dangerous forever chemicals can be to our health and to the environment.  I’m proud that Maine’s outdoor retailers are working to phase out PFAS despite the disparity in duty rates, but we want to level the playing field for companies who are moving towards safer alternatives,” said Pingree in the press release.  “Our bipartisan Act will make it easier for retailers to choose safer alternatives that ensure their waterproof garments are not contrbuting to the contamination of our food and water or the rise in cancer and other diseases linked to PFAS exposure.  It’s a commonsense solution that aligns our trade policy with public health – and incentivizes businesses to do the right thing.”

Currently, water-resistent clothing made with PFAS received preferential tariff treatment with only a 7% duty rate, while more sustainable alternatives receive a 27% rate.  The Act would encourage the transition to safer and more sustainabce water resistant garments, providng they meet standard performance requirements.

 

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