Don’t Ignore This Important Tip for New York Parents — Check Your Diaper Ingredients!

Dr. ADAM TABRIZ
3 min readSep 20, 2023

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Have you heard about bill A00043?

It’s the latest trend in the world of diapers! Who knew transparency was such a hot topic in the personal care industry?

At least we’ll know exactly what’s in our baby’s diapers now. Imagine the conversations at the mommy and me playdates.

“Oh, you’re using the organic, sustainably sourced diaper?

Well, my little one prefers the locally grown, free-range diaper.” It’s a whole new level of hipster parenting.

In 2019, New York Assembly Bill A00043 debuted to mandate disposable diaper manufacturers to divulge data on certain chemicals found in their merchandise within New York. The main goal of this bill is to heighten transparency and provide shoppers with the necessary information to make wise purchasing decisions.

Formaldehyde, lead, and phthalates are among the 13 chemical components that must be disclosed, all linked to potential health issues.

Nowadays, companies are not mandated by federal rules to reveal all ingredients used in their consumer products. Nevertheless, certain states, like California, have their briefing laws. However, the bill proposed in New York differs from typical regulations by requiring the revelation of particular chemicals and applying them to products sold within the state, even if they were not made there.

If given the green light, the bill would have considerable ramifications for consumers and manufacturers alike. Consumers would benefit from increased transparency, thereby empowering them to make more apt choices regarding the products they purchase — a boon, especially for parents who prioritize product safety.

The newfound openness might come at a cost for manufacturers, who would be required to make considerable investments in testing and reporting to adhere to the bill’s stipulations.

Reflecting on the matter, it dawns on me that implementing the new account could have significant economic consequences for the diaper industry. To avoid losing market share to competitors, manufacturers may need to reformulate their products and remove certain chemicals. However, some may exit the New York market instead of complying with the new law. These potential outcomes highlight the complex nature of policy implementation and its inherently unpredictable effects on various sectors of the economy.

Despite receiving an endorsement from consumer advocacy groups, the bill hasn’t been immune to censure from industry groups and environmental organizations.

The proposed law’s detractors contend that its emphasis on particular chemicals might be insufficient to combat all probable health hazards associated with disposable diapers. Some have also expressed apprehension about the monetary and practical feasibility of adhering to the new mandates, especially for minor manufacturers. Furthermore, there are constraints to the bill’s scope and implementation. Specifically, the legislation solely pertains to disposable diapers, making it inapplicable to other infant commodities like cloth diapers.

For one, promoting transparency and safety in consumer products might be better achieved with more unorthodox approaches, like stronger federal regulations or voluntary industry initiatives. Selling these products online or from out-of-state manufacturers could pose a challenge when enforcing these regulations.

Looks like Assembly Bill A00043 is trying to give us all a makeover! But let’s not forget about the poor diaper industry — they might end up with some seriously stylish but bankrupt babies. All jokes aside, it’s great to see efforts toward transparency and empowering consumers in the personal care industry.

Originally published at https://www.newsbreak.com.

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Dr. ADAM TABRIZ

In this vast tapestry of existence, I weave my thoughts and observations about all facets of life, offering a perspective that is uniquely my own.