The Department of Ecology will use this site to share information and draft documents with interested parties as we implement Chapter 70A.560 Revised Code of Washington (RCW), the Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act.

• Subscribe to the Toxic-Free Cosmetics email list.
• Contact us at ToxicFreeCosmetics@ecy.wa.gov.
• Visit the Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act (TFCA) webpage.

The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) started a rulemaking under the authority of Chapter 70A.560 RCW: Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act, to identify a feasible approach to regulating lead in cosmetic products, including potentially adopting a different limit on lead impurities than the statutory limit of 1 part per million (ppm). 

• Visit our Lead in Cosmetics rulemaking page for more information.

Data collection: guidance documents & templates

• Lead in Cosmetics Information on Data Collection Publication
• Lead in Cosmetics Data Collection Example
• Lead in Cosmetics Data Collection Template
• Lead in Cosmetics Request for Confidential Treatment Form
• June 11, 2025 presentation slides, Lead in Cosmetics Data Collection webinar

Interim policy on lead restrictions in TFCA

Our agency has committed to take interim policy action by January 1, 2025, to give manufacturers more time to comply with the lead restriction and to give us more time to collect information. 

While the Interim Policy on Lead-in-Cosmetics remains in effect, we will use enforcement discretion and will not enforce against cosmetic products exceeding the 1 part per million (ppm) lead restriction for companies who comply with the interim policy. 

Manufacturers choosing to use the interim policy must notify Ecology using the "notification form" in the list below. Companies who have notified Ecology that they are using the interim policy are documented in the "interim policy form responses" below. Distributors, retailers, and cosmetologists may use the "interim policy form response" document to verify which manufacturers choose to use the interim policy. See our November 2024 bulletin for additional information.

• Interim Policy on Lead in Cosmetics.
• Notification Form: Interim Policy on Lead-in-Cosmetics
  • Interim Policy Form responses
  • Preview the form in the Notification Form Summary: Interim Policy on Lead in Cosmetics. 

On Aug. 28, 2025, Ecology adopted a new rule, Chapter 173-339 WAC: Cosmetic Products Restrictions. This new chapter restricts the manufacture, sale, and distribution of cosmetic products in Washington State that contain intentionally added formaldehyde releasers.

Formaldehyde can cause cancer, respiratory problems such as asthma, allergic skin responses, and irritation of and damage to eyes and skin. Restricting these chemicals will reduce exposure to formaldehyde for people who use cosmetic products.

The adopted rule:

• Includes a list of 25 formaldehyde releasers that are restricted by rule when intentionally added to cosmetic products. This list will help manufacturers investigate their supply chain and formulate products without chemicals that release formaldehyde.
• Defines “intentionally added” to clarify restrictions on toxic chemicals in the Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act (RCW 70A.560.020). Applying the definition of “intentionally added” to the statutory restriction on formaldehyde restricts all chemicals that release formaldehyde when the formaldehyde serves a function.

The restrictions in the rule and in the Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act:

• Affect cosmetics manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and cosmetology businesses operating in Washington State.
• Apply to cosmetic products used in services, sold online, and sold in physical stores.

Key dates

• Aug. 28, 2025: Rule adopted
• Sept. 28, 2025: Rule takes effect
• Jan. 1, 2027: Restrictions in rule take effect
• Dec. 31, 2027: Deadline for in-state retailers to sell existing stock

Visit the rulemaking webpage for additional details.

Our new resource, Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act Compliance & Outreach Questions and Answers, summarizes responses to questions we've received about compliance and outreach. Translations available: Amharic, Arabic, Khmer, Somali, Spanish

If you produce, manufacture, import, distribute, or sell cosmetic products (including through e-commerce), the Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act Guide: Restrictions for Cosmetics Industry & Sellers is for you. It explains which chemicals are restricted and when restrictions begin. It'll help you assess your supply chain and determine if these chemicals are in your products. 

• See the frequently asked questions (FAQ) section of our webpage to learn about the assessments we conducted.
• Review assessment reports on the Interstate Chemicals Clearinghouse Chemical Hazard Assessment Database.
• Review our criteria for safer certifications in Appendices E and F of the Regulatory Determinations Report to the Legislature: Safer Products for Washington Cycle 1 Implementation Phase 3
• Visit the safer cosmetics certification subsidy program webpage.

Learn more on our website

• Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act
• Guidance for cosmetologists
• Cosmetics replacement program for small businesses
• Cosmetics manufacturer support
• Safer product certification subsidy program
• Rulemaking: Formaldehyde in Cosmetics (Chapter 173-339 WAC)
• Rulemaking: Lead in Cosmetics (Chapter 173-339 WAC)

Blogs & news releases

• Feb. 6, 2025 news release: State moves to ban known carcinogen in cosmetics (formaldehyde in cosmetics - rule proposal)
• May 22, 2024 news release: New rulemaking effort aims to keep toxics out of cosmetics (formaldehyde in cosmetics - rule announcement)
• May 1, 2024 blog: Safer cosmetics are coming to a store near you. Here’s what’s happening and why it matters

Related reports

• Report: Chemicals in Cosmetics Used by Washington Residents
• Report: Chemicals in Cosmetics Used by Washington Residents: Phase Two Results

Handouts

• Let's Make Salon Products Safer
• Let's Make Salon Products Safer for You and Your Clients
• Take the Detective Work Out of Choosing Safer Cosmetics (facts on chemicals restricted by TFCA)
• Chemical Facts for Cosmetologists: Formaldehyde & Formaldehyde Releasers
• • Translations: Spanish, Khmer, Vietnamese
• A New Washington Law Could Impact You and Your Family
• A New Washington Law Could Impact Your Business
• How Can Apps Help Me Find Safer Products?
• Self-Care and You: Color and Learn
  • Translation: Spanish
• Keeping Your Home and Family Healthy: Reduce Your Exposure to Phthalates
• Keeping your Home and Family Healthy: Reduce your exposure to PFAS
• Keeping Your Home and Family Healthy: Reduce Your Exposure to Harmful Chemicals in Self-Care Products
  • Translations: Arabic, Amharic, French, Russian, Samoan, Spanish, Khmer, Korean, Tagalog, Ukrainian, Vietnamese
• 2022 Safer Personal Care Products Workshops

Videos and Webinars

• Video: Buy certified products
• Video: Tips to reduce your exposure to formaldehyde
• Video: Reducing toxic chemicals in your self-care routine
• Video: What's TFCA? Get ready with me
• October 1, 2025 Presentation slides - Distributors and Retailers

Health equity and environmental justice

• Chapter 70A.02 RCW-Environmental Justice
• Washington State Office of Equity
• Washington State Department of Ecology Environmental Justice
• Washington State Department of Health Environmental Justice

TFCA updates

To receive updates by email, subscribe to the Toxic-Free Cosmetics email list.

• Formaldehyde in Cosmetics Rulemaking: Notice to Interested Parties
• TFCA Compliance Webinar for Retailers and Distributors
• Cosmetics product sell-through period reminder
• Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act: Updates + What's Next (May 2025)
• Formaldehyde in Cosmetics Rulemaking: Comment period closing soon!
• Formaldehyde in Cosmetics Rulemaking: Register and attend a hearing
• Formaldehyde in Cosmetics Rulemaking: February 2025 rule proposal
• Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act: January 2025
• Lead in Cosmetics Rulemaking: Notice to Interested Parties (December 2024) 
• Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act: November 2024
• Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act (TFCA) rulemaking webinar message: July 2024
• Toxic-Free Cosmetics: June 2024
• Cosmetics Rulemaking: Notice to Interested Parties
• Toxic-Free Cosmetics: April 2024

ADA Accessibility

The Department of Ecology is committed to providing people with disabilities access to information and services by meeting or exceeding the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, and Washington State Policy #188. To request an ADA accommodation, contact Ecology by phone at 360-407-6700 or email at hwtrpubs@ecy.wa.gov. For Washington Relay Service or TTY call 711 or 877-833-6341. Visit Ecology’s website for more information.