Requires all washing machines be sold with a microfiber filtration system and proper notice of such system; provides that on and after January first, two thousand twenty-nine, a new washing machine shall not be sold or offered for sale in the state for residential, commercial, or state use unless the washing machine meets both of the following requirements: contains a microfiber filtration system with a mesh size of not greater than one hundred micrometers; and bears a conspicuous label that is visible to the consumer, in the form of a sticker or any other label type, that includes the following statement: "Notice: This washing machine contains a filter to capture microfibers. Check filter regularly and dispose of captured lint in a waste bin."; provides penalties.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
5605
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
February 25, 2025
___________
Introduced by Sen. KAVANAGH -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
printed to be committed to the Committee on Consumer Protection
AN ACT to amend the general business law, in relation to requiring all
washing machines be sold with a microfiber filtration system and prop-
er notice of such system
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. The general business law is amended by adding a new section
2 395-c to read as follows:
3 § 395-c. Sale of washing machines. 1. For the purposes of this
4 section, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
5 (a) "microfiber filtration system" means a filtration unit that is
6 active across all washing cycles and meets either of the following: (i)
7 the unit is integrated into the washing machine design as a built-in
8 filter; or (ii) the unit is included as an in-line filter and is pack-
9 aged, sold, and installed with the washing machine; and
10 (b) "washing machine" means a machine designed and used for washing
11 clothes and linen.
12 2. On and after January first, two thousand twenty-nine, a new washing
13 machine shall not be sold or offered for sale in the state for residen-
14 tial, commercial, or state use unless the washing machine meets both of
15 the following requirements:
16 (a) contains a microfiber filtration system with a mesh size of not
17 greater than one hundred micrometers; and
18 (b) bears a conspicuous label that is visible to the consumer, in the
19 form of a sticker or any other label type, that includes the following
20 statement: "Notice: This washing machine contains a filter to capture
21 microfibers. Check filter regularly and dispose of captured lint in a
22 waste bin."
23 3. (a) A manufacturer of a washing machine that is subject to the
24 requirements of subdivision two of this section shall provide each
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08178-01-5
S. 5605 2
1 person that offers such washing machine for sale or distribution in the
2 state with a certificate of compliance stating that the washing machine
3 is in compliance with the requirements of this section and contains a
4 microfiber filtration system. A certificate of compliance provided
5 pursuant to this subdivision shall be signed by an authorized official
6 of the manufacturer. The certificate of compliance may be provided elec-
7 tronically.
8 (b) A distributor or retailer of a washing machine that is subject to
9 the requirements of this section shall not be held in violation of this
10 section if the distributor or retailer is not also the manufacturer of
11 the washing machine and relied in good faith on the certificate of
12 compliance provided by the manufacturer pursuant to paragraph (a) of
13 this subdivision.
14 4. Upon an action brought by the attorney general, a city attorney, a
15 county counsel, or a district attorney, a person or entity that violates
16 this section shall be liable for a civil penalty not to exceed ten thou-
17 sand dollars for the first violation, and not to exceed thirty thousand
18 dollars for each subsequent violation.
19 5. This section shall not impair or impede any other rights, causes of
20 action, claims, or defenses available under any other law. The remedies
21 provided in this section are cumulative with any other remedies avail-
22 able under any other law.
23 § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
