New York’s First-in Nation Diaper Disclosure Law in Officially in Effect

Law Expands NY’s 2019 Law for Ingredient Info on Period Products, Comes as Governor Hochul Has Until Dec 19 to Sign Ban on PFAS and Other Toxics in Period Products 

For Immediate Release: Monday, December 15, 2025 

Contact: Jasmine Phillip, Clean+Healthy, jasmine@cleanhealthyny.org

Albany, NY-  New York State’s first-in-the-nation law requiring disclosure of ingredients in diapers and other incontinence products has gone into effect. It will give parents, caregivers, and adults needing such products a better understanding of what is in the products they purchase. As of December 11, 2025, every disposable diaper or incontinence product sold in New York State is required to include a full ingredient list on its packaging.  Supporters say this law fills many questions consumers have about necessary products for their families.  The law is an expansion of one passed in 2019 that requires on-package disclosure of ingredients used in menstrual products.

The implementation deadline comes as Governor Hochul is weighing another expansion of the 2019 bill -  S.1548/A.1502 (Fernandez/Rosenthal) will ban PFAS and other toxic chemicals in period products. The bill is on the Governor’s desk, and she has until Friday December 19th to sign it.

Research has shown that the toxic chemicals such as phthalates and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are used as ingredients in many diapers found on store shelves. These chemicals have been linked to respiratory issues, hormone disruption, and skin irritation.

“Putting ingredient information on diaper and incontinence product packages is a no-brainer. We all need to know what’s in the products we use for ourselves or our vulnerable babies so we can protect our health. It will also help lawmakers determine whether action to restrict specific chemicals is needed,” said Bobbi Wilding, Executive Director of Clean+Healthy. “This week, the Governor has the opportunity to protect women’s reproductive health by signing a bill to ban PFAS and other toxics in period products. That bill is a followup to New York’s previous nation-leading law to require on-package ingredient information on period products. The materials we use for our health should not pose a threat to it. As we celebrate this expanded information for NY’s families - and hope manufacturers again share that information on all their products sold nationally - we urge the Governor to take that next step and sign S. 1548 into law..” 

Of particular interest, the new diaper ingredient disclosure law requires disclosure of the ingredients in fragrances added to such products. Scent composition is often a closely guarded secret, even though past testing of fragrances has revealed that they can rely on chemicals of concern. Organizations surveying store shelves following implementation of the 2019 menstrual product disclosure law observed that companies had voluntarily ceased adding fragrances to them to avoid disclosure. This move likely eliminated some chemicals of concern from the products. Surveyors also observed a new product - one offering protection for both incontinence and menstrual fluids. Those products, outside the definitions of the 2019 law, did advertise inclusion of fragrances. Advocates anticipate that the new law now in effect will close that loophole as well - either by eliminating fragrances again, or including information about their ingredients on the package. 

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Clean+Healthy is an environmental health and just advocacy organization based in Albany, NY with a mission to build a just+healthy world where toxic chemicals are simply unthinkable. Learn more at cleanandhealthy.org.