What's happening
This bill requires all new washing machines sold in New York from 2030 onward to have microfiber filtration systems to reduce microfiber pollution.
Why it matters
Addresses a major source of microplastic pollution. By requiring washing machines to filter out microfibers, the bill targets a significant source of plastic pollution that enters waterways when synthetic fabrics are washed, helping protect aquatic ecosystems and potentially human health.
Shifts responsibility to manufacturers. The law places the onus on manufacturers to ensure compliance, provide documentation, and inform both retailers and consumers, potentially encouraging industry innovation and accountability for environmental impacts.
Empowers consumer awareness and action. Mandatory labeling and maintenance instructions mean consumers will be better informed about microfiber pollution and how to properly maintain filtration systems, increasing public engagement with pollution reduction efforts.
Provides enforcement and flexibility. The bill establishes penalties for non-compliance and gives regulatory authority to the Department of Environmental Conservation, ensuring enforceability while allowing for adaptation as technology and standards evolve.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Require Washing Machine Filters
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 27
2 Co-sponsors
History
- Print number 5605d
- Amend and recommit to consumer protection
- Referred to consumer protection
- Print number 5605c
- Amend (t) and recommit to consumer protection
- Print number 5605b
- Amend and recommit to consumer protection
- Print number 5605a
- Amend (t) and recommit to consumer protection
- Referred to consumer protection
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Require Microfiber Filters in Washers
In Senate Committee · Consumer Protection · Sponsor Anna Kelles
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5605--D
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
February 25, 2025
Introduced by Sens. KAVANAGH, FERNANDEZ, MAY -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Consumer Protection -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee --… Show allHide
Introduced by Sens. KAVANAGH, FERNANDEZ, MAY -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Consumer Protection -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee -- recommitted to the Committee on Consumer Protection in accordance with Senate Rule 6, sec. 8 -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the general business law, in relation to enacting the "washing machine microfiber filtration act"
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the "washing machine microfiber filtration act".
§ 2. The general business law is amended by adding a new section 396- uu to read as follows:
§ 396-uu. Sale of washing machines; microfiber filtration. 1. Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
a. "Microfiber filtration system" means a filter or other feature, or a series of filters or other features, built into a washing machine or packaged, sold, and installed with a washing machine that removes from water used across all washing cycles ninety percent or more of fibers and microfibers that are one hundred micrometers or larger.
b. "Washing machine" means a machine designed and used for washing clothes and linen.
2. a. On and after January first, two thousand thirty, no new washing machines shall be offered for sale or sold in the state without a microfiber filtration system.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08178-06-6
b. All new washing machines sold for residential use in the state with a microfiber filtration system on or after January first, two thousand thirty shall bear a conspicuous sticker or other label that is visible to the consumer and that includes the following statement: "Notice: This washing machine includes a filtration system to capture microfibers." Such statement shall be followed by instructions regarding the manner and frequency with which the consumer should check the system's filters or other features and dispose of any fibers or microfibers captured.
c. All new washing machines sold for commercial use in the state with a microfiber filtration system on or after January first, two thousand thirty shall contain the sticker or other label described in paragraph b of this subdivision, however such sticker or other label may be placed in a location that is not visible to users of such commercial washing machine.
3. a. A manufacturer of a washing machine that is subject to the requirements of subdivision two of this section shall provide each person that offers such washing machine for sale or distribution in the state with a certificate of compliance stating that the washing machine is in compliance with the requirements of this section and contains a microfiber filtration system. A certificate of compliance provided pursuant to this subdivision shall be signed by an authorized official of the manufacturer. The certificate of compliance may be provided electronically.
b. A distributor or retailer of a washing machine that is subject to the requirements of this section shall not be held in violation of this section if the distributor or retailer is not also the manufacturer of the washing machine and relied in good faith on the certificate of compliance provided by the manufacturer pursuant to paragraph a of this subdivision.
4. The department of environmental conservation may adopt any rules or regulations it deems necessary for the implementation of the provisions of this section, including standards and procedures for determining whether a washing machine is compliant with the provisions of this section.
5. Upon an action brought by the attorney general, a city attorney, a county counsel, or a district attorney, a person or entity that violates this section shall be liable for a civil penalty not to exceed five hundred dollars for the first violation, and not to exceed one thousand dollars for each subsequent violation.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the general business law, in relation to enacting the "washing machine microfiber filtration act"
Purpose or general idea of bill
This bill would require all new washing machines offered for sale in New York State to contain a microfiber filtration system to protect against the entry of harmful substances into the water supply
Summary of provisions
Section one of the bill provides that this act shall be known as the "washing machine microfiber filter act".
Section two of the bill amends the general business law to add a new section 396-uu to require that, beginning January 1, 2030, all new wash- ing machines offered for sale in New York shall contain a microfiber filtration system that removes 90% of fibers and microfibers that are 100 micrometers or larger; provides for exemptions for distributors and retailers; allows distributors and retailers to sell off their stock of washing machines acquired before 2030 without microfiber filtration systems until the end of 2030; provides for penalties.
Section three sets forth the effective date.
Justification
Microplastics are ubiquitous in the environment, even in the most remote areas. Due to their small size, they can bioaccumulate in the food chain and cause increasing environmental concern. Studies have found micro- plastics in humans' lungs, brains, and placentas and show that these particles can cause oxidative damage, DNA damage, and changes in gene activity.
Microfibers are the most common type of microplastics, according to the EPA, and are found in several different ecosystems, such as wastewater, stormwater runoff, rivers, lakes, wildlife, etc. Around 60% of clothing is made entirely or in part from plastic, including polyester, nylon, and acrylic. These synthetic textiles shed microfiber through daily wear and also during washing. Scientists estimate that textiles produce 35% of ocean microplastic pollution, an estimated 2.2 million tons annually. An average three-pound load of laundry can shed hundreds of thousands of microfibers into the sewer system. Most treatment plants in the USA are designed to reduce organic material in water and are not efficient in removing fine synthetic particles like microplastics.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.