California ‘Diaper Disclosure’ Bill Could Give Parents More Information About What’s Inside Baby Products
SANTA BARBARA, Calif.—For parents, changing a diaper is a routine that happens countless times during a baby’s first years. But a proposed California law could give families more information about what’s inside the products they use every day.
Assembly Bill 1901, known as the “Diaper Disclosure Bill,” would require manufacturers to disclose intentionally added ingredients in children’s diapers sold, distributed or manufactured in California.
The disclosures would include the name of the chemical or raw material and its purpose. The information would also have to be available online, including on product pages.
Actress and activist Hilary Swank is among those supporting the legislation.
“Diapers can contain thousands, not just a few, but thousands of different materials and chemicals,” Swank said, raising concerns about potential impacts on babies’ health.
Swank said she believes products used during early childhood should provide greater transparency for parents.
“Most of the products used during this critical window don't meet the level of transparency or safety that most parents would expect,” she said.
Assemblymember Marc Berman, D-Menlo Park, authored AB 1901. He said manufacturers can use broad terms such as “fragrance,” which may leave consumers without a complete picture of what is in a product.
“Companies are hiding behind vague terms like fragrance, which can mask hundreds of undisclosed chemicals,” Berman said.
Supporters of the bill argue that giving parents more information allows them to make more informed decisions about the products they choose for their children.
For Oxnard mother Jessica McGuire, the issue comes down to what is touching a baby's skin.
“When you're putting a diaper on a brand new baby, it's the first thing that's touching their bare skin,” McGuire said. “And so you have to be conscious of what's in them and what the baby's skin is absorbing.”
McGuire also hopes the legislation could encourage manufacturers to take a closer look at the ingredients they use.
“Hopefully what it'll do is it will make other companies and other brands more responsible in the types of ingredients that they put in babies' products, and hopefully all products in general,” she said.
The bill has already cleared the California State Assembly and is moving through the state Senate.
If AB 1901 becomes law, the main disclosure requirements would take effect in 2029.
