PRINTER'S NO. 3619
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
2568
Session of
2024
INTRODUCED BY KHAN, VITALI, BOROWSKI, SCOTT, STEELE, WAXMAN,
HILL-EVANS, GIRAL, GUENST, KENYATTA, RABB, McNEILL, PIELLI,
SANCHEZ, PROBST, FREEMAN, MAYES, KAZEEM, PARKER, HADDOCK,
OTTEN, CEPEDA-FREYTIZ, DALEY, GREEN AND CERRATO,
SEPTEMBER 19, 2024
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY,
SEPTEMBER 19, 2024
AN ACT
Providing for microfiber filtration protection; imposing duties
on the Department of Environmental Protection and the
Environmental Quality Board; and imposing penalties.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Short title.
This act shall be known and may be cited as the Microfiber
Filtration Protection Act.
Section 2. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Board." The Environmental Quality Board.
"Department." The Department of Environmental Protection of
the Commonwealth.
"Microfiber filtration system." A filtration unit that is
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
active across all washing cycles of a washing machine and is:
(1) integrated into the design of the washing machine as
a built-in filter; or
(2) included as an in-line filter and is packaged, sold
and installed with the washing machine.
"Washing machine." A machine designed and used for washing
clothes and linen.
Section 3. Standards and regulations.
(a) Regulations.--Not later than one year after the
effective date of this subsection and subject to subsection (b),
the board shall promulgate regulations establishing filter
requirements for washing machines sold or offered for sale in
this Commonwealth.
(b) Filter requirements.--The regulations described under
subsection (a) shall provide that all washing machines sold or
offered for sale in this Commonwealth:
(1) Contain a microfiber filtration system with a mesh
size of not greater than 100 micrometers.
(2) Bear a conspicuous label that is visible to the
consumer, in the form of a sticker or other label type, that
includes the following statement:
Notice: This washing machine contains a filter to
capture microfibers. Check the filter regularly and
dispose of captured lint in a waste bin.
(c) Additional regulations and revisions.--In addition to
the regulations promulgated in accordance with subsection (a)
and section 5(1), the board shall promulgate and revise
regulations as the board deems necessary to implement,
administer and enforce this act and to establish additional
requirements for washing machines. The following apply:
20240HB2568PN3619 - 2 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
(1) Before promulgating or revising a regulatory
standard, the board must first determine that the regulatory
standard would serve to promote environmentally sustainable
efforts in this Commonwealth and would be cost effective for
persons purchasing and using the washing machines.
(2) A revised regulatory standard under this subsection
that is more stringent than the current standard shall not
become effective unless at least one year has elapsed
following the promulgation of the more stringent standard.
Section 4. Sale and installation of washing machines.
(a) Sale.--Beginning January 1, 2030, a person may not sell
or offer for sale in this Commonwealth a new washing machine for
residential, commercial or State use unless the washing machine
meets the requirements under section 3.
(b) Installation.--Beginning January 1, 2031, a person may
not install a washing machine in this Commonwealth for
compensation unless the efficiency of the washing machine meets
the requirements under section 3.
Section 5. Labels and tags.
Following the compliance dates specified under section 4, a
manufacturer of a new washing machine shall identify each
washing machine offered for sale or installation in this
Commonwealth as in compliance with the provisions of this act by
means of a label or tag on the washing machine at the time of
sale or installation. The following apply:
(1) The board shall promulgate regulations governing the
identification of the washing machines, which shall be
coordinated to the greatest practical extent with the
labeling programs of other Federal and State agencies with
equivalent requirements.
20240HB2568PN3619 - 3 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
(2) The department shall allow the use of existing
labels, which connote compliance with the requirements of
this act.
Section 6. Testing.
(a) Authorization.--Following the compliance dates specified
under section 4, the department may test washing machines and
their microfiber filtration system.
(b) Noncompliance.--If a test under subsection (a) reveals
noncompliance with the standards established in accordance with
this act, the department shall:
(1) Charge the manufacturer of the washing machine for
the cost of purchase and testing.
(2) Make information available to the Attorney General
and the public on washing machines found not to be in
compliance with the standards.
Section 7. Periodic inspections.
Following the compliance dates specified under section 4, the
department may cause periodic inspections to be made of
distributors or retailers of new washing machines to determine
compliance with the provisions of this act.
Section 8. Complaint process.
(a) Investigation and report.--The department shall
investigate complaints received concerning violations of this
act and shall report the results of the investigations to the
Attorney General.
(b) Proceedings.--The Attorney General may institute
proceedings to enforce the provisions of this act.
Section 9. Penalties.
(a) Warnings and civil penalties.--Following the compliance
dates specified under section 4, a manufacturer, distributor or
20240HB2568PN3619 - 4 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
retailer of a washing machine, or a person installing a washing
machine for compensation, that violates any provision of this
act shall be subject to the following:
(1) For a first violation, the issuance of a warning by
the department.
(2) For a second violation, a civil penalty of up to
$100.
(3) For a third or subsequent violation, a civil penalty
of not more than $500 for each offense.
(b) Separate offenses.--
(1) Each violation under subsection (a) shall constitute
a separate offense.
(2) Each day that a violation under subsection (a)
continues shall constitute a separate offense.
(c) Penalties not exclusive.--Penalties assessed under this
subsection are in addition to costs assessed under section 6(b)
(1).
Section 10. Abrogation of regulations.
All regulations and parts of regulations are abrogated to the
extent of any inconsistency with the provisions of this act.
Section 11. Repeal.
All acts and parts of acts are repealed insofar as they are
inconsistent with the provisions of this act.
Section 12. Effective date.
This act shall take effect immediately.
20240HB2568PN3619 - 5 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25