California Enacts New PFAS Pesticide Law Focusing on Tracking and Transparency
California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed AB 1603 into law, a new piece of legislation aimed at addressing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in pesticides. This law directs the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) to identify registered pesticide products that contain intentionally added PFAS ingredients. The primary goal of AB 1603 is to enhance public visibility into the use of these substances. By January 1, 2028, or when DPR's pesticide-use reporting database contains 2026 data, the DPR must identify PFAS-containing pesticides in its online database, categorize PFAS as a 'category of interest,' and incorporate usage trends into its annual reports. Additionally, DPR must publish a list of all registered pesticides containing PFAS ingredients and provide it to county agricultural commissioners, updating it within 60 days of registering new PFAS-containing pesticides.