Protect Our Clothes from PFAS Act

The Protect Our Clothes from PFAS Act would modify how the U.S. government classifies water-resistant garments for tariff purposes. Currently, garments imported into the United States must meet specific water resistance standards and achieve that resistance through rubber or plastic applications to be classified as water-resistant under U.S. tariff rules. This bill would remove the requirement that water resistance must come from rubber or plastic coatings, allowing garments treated with alternative water-resistant methods to qualify for the same tariff classification.

If enacted, this change could affect how imported clothing is taxed and classified at the border. The bill may be intended to address concerns about per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are chemicals sometimes used in water-resistant coatings and have raised health and environmental concerns. By allowing alternative water-resistant treatments, the bill could potentially reduce reliance on PFAS-containing coatings in imported garments. The bill is currently in committee and has not yet been voted on by the full House.