As you may be aware, Minnesota enacted an extensive regulatory law in 2023 titled Amara’s Law. It prohibits and/or heavily scrutinizes items made with intentionally added PFAS chemicals. The regulation is extensive and has several deadlines that must be observed to remain a law-abiding corporate citizen of Minnesota. Due to this, VistaTek has notified the handful of customers that are using materials that contain these PFAS materials. One of our material suppliers, RTP, halted their manufacturing of PFAS containing products from their Minnesota facilities in 2024, to meet Jan 1st, 2025, deadlines. If you have not received notification from our team, your materials are PFAS-free.
The next compliance deadline for Amara’s Law is Jan 1, 2026. At that time, manufacturers of a product sold, offered for sale, or distributed in the state of MN that contain intentionally added PFAS”, must submit to the Commissioner of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency an extensive overview of the chemical makeup of the product and seek permission from the Commissioner to continue selling the product in Minnesota.
If you would like to read more about Amara’s Law, you can do so below:
https://www.pca.state.mn.us/air-water-land-climate/2025-pfas-prohibitions
What is PFAS? (Sourced by ChatGPT)
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, represent a broad class of synthetic chemicals that have been used since the mid-20th century in a variety of industrial and consumer applications. These chemicals are prized for their ability to repel water, oil, and stains, which makes them useful in products such as non-stick cookware, water-repellent fabrics, and firefighting foams. A key characteristic of PFAS is their chemical stability; the strong carbon-fluorine bonds that define them render these substances highly resistant to degradation in the environment. This durability, while beneficial for their intended uses, also means that PFAS persist in soils, water, and living organisms over long periods.
The environmental and health concerns surrounding PFAS stem largely from their persistence and potential toxicity. Because they do not break down easily, PFAS can accumulate in the bodies of humans and wildlife, leading to what is often referred to as “bioaccumulation.” Studies have linked long-term exposure to certain PFAS with a range of adverse health effects, including developmental issues, immune system suppression, and an increased risk of certain cancers. Moreover, widespread contamination of drinking water supplies and soil near industrial sites has raised significant regulatory and public health challenges, prompting efforts to better understand and mitigate their impacts on both ecosystems and human communities.