US nappy law could make manufacturers disclose chemical ingredients

A proposed California law would require nappy makers to disclose ingredients, giving parents more information about what touches their baby’s skin.

Close up hands of mother changing the diaper for her newborn baby on the changing mat.

Getty/d3sign

Published: August 18, 2026 at 11:32 AM

Save

California could become the latest US state to make nappy ingredients more transparent, after legislation requiring manufacturers to disclose intentionally added ingredients passed the state Assembly.

Ad

The move comes amid concerns from campaigners about chemicals that can be found in some disposable nappies, although research into the potential effects of long-term exposure in babies remains limited.

The proposed law, known as AB 1901, would require manufacturers to publish detailed ingredient information online from 1 January 2028, with key information also appearing on nappy packaging from 1 January 2029.

What to see more MadeForMums in your search results? Tell Google!

From parenting news to expert advice and trusted product recommendations, make sure you don't miss the MadeForMums content that matters to your family. Add MadeForMums as a Preferred Source on Google.

What would California’s new nappy law mean for parents?

If passed by the state Senate and signed into law, AB 1901 would require manufacturers of children’s nappies sold, distributed or made in California to publish a list of all intentionally added ingredients online.

The information would also need to include each ingredient’s Chemical Abstract Service number and its specific function or purpose in the nappy.

From 2029, the outer packaging would need to list the intentionally added ingredients and provide a web address where parents could find the full information.

The bill was introduced by California Assembly member Marc Berman, who said the lack of information currently makes it difficult for parents to know exactly what is in the products they buy.

“As a new dad, I have a new appreciation for how important it is for parents to make informed decisions when it comes to the health and wellness of their children. We all want the best for our children, but the lack of transparency around diaper ingredients prevents us from knowing what ‘the best’ is when buying the one thing that is touching our baby’s skin every minute of their lives for years,” Assemblymember Berman writes on his website.

Do parents need to be concerned about nappy ingredients?

Nappies are in prolonged contact with a baby’s skin, often for much of the day during the first few years of life, which makes transparency particularly important.

Testing and research cited by the legislation and its supporters have identified chemicals including phthalates, volatile organic compounds and heavy metals in some disposable nappy products.

Some chemicals have specific functions. Phthalates, for example, can be used to make plastics more flexible, while other substances can be used in inks, dyes or wetness indicators.

However, it is important to distinguish between the presence of a chemical and evidence that using a particular nappy causes harm. Research into babies’ long-term exposure through nappies is still limited.

A small 2025 study in China examined nappies and urine samples from 66 babies and found correlations between some phthalate compounds and levels detected in urine. The researchers also found markers of DNA damage, but the study did not establish that wearing nappies caused DNA damage or disease.

Parents shouldn’t have to worry about potentially harmful chemicals in baby products, especially diapers. However, manufacturers are not required to be fully transparent with that information.

Gabe Knight, senior policy analyst at Consumer Reports

What do nappy manufacturers and campaigners say?

The Center for Baby and Adult Hygiene Products, a trade group representing many major manufacturers, previously said: “Diapers are designed and manufactured to meet strict safety standards, and decades of real-world use support their safety for infants and children.”

Consumer Reports supports the proposed legislation. Gabe Knight, its senior policy analyst, said: “Parents shouldn’t have to worry about potentially harmful chemicals in baby products, especially diapers. However, manufacturers are not required to be fully transparent with that information.”

Susan Little, California Legislative Director at the Environmental Working Group, also backed the bill, saying: “Despite these high stakes, a lack of transparency allows diaper manufacturers to keep their ingredients secret, forcing parents into a guessing game.”

What can parents do now?

California’s proposed law would not ban particular chemicals. Instead, its focus is on giving parents more information about what is intentionally added to nappies.

For parents shopping now, campaigners suggest looking beyond marketing terms such as “natural”, “plant-based” and “eco-friendly”, which do not have a legal definition and do not necessarily mean a product is free from potentially concerning chemicals.

Fragrance-free nappies may be one option for families looking to reduce exposure to added fragrance ingredients. Parents can also contact manufacturers directly to ask about specific substances, such as PFAS, phthalates and heavy metals.

The legislation has already passed California’s Assembly by 68 votes to one and is expected to go before the state Senate in the coming weeks. New York already has legislation requiring some nappy ingredient labelling, but AB 1901 would go further by requiring more detailed online information.

Ad

If it becomes law, the changes could also put pressure on manufacturers to make ingredient information more accessible, potentially making it easier for parents to compare products when choosing nappies for their little ones. And though this legislation is in the US, these smaller changes could influence similar future laws in the UK.

Authors

MadeForMums

Ad

Ad

Loading...

Ad

Loading...