Joint Support for AB 1901 (Berman) Diaper ingredient disclosure

AB 1901 Coalition Support Sen Approps.pdf

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July 28, 2026 

Honorable Sabrina Cervantes, Chair 

Senate Appropriations Committee 

California State Senate 

State Capitol, CA 95814 

RE: Support for AB 1901 (Berman) Re: Diaper ingredient disclosure 

Dear Chair Cervantes:  

On behalf of our members and supporters, the undersigned organizations write today to express our  enthusiastic support of AB 1901 (Berman), a bill that would require children’s diaper manufacturers to  disclose all intentionally added ingredients in diapers, on-package and online. With our collective  expertise in children’s health, environmental health, and consumer safety, we urge the California  Legislature to support this proposal. In so doing, California will address the lack of transparency in the  children’s diaper marketplace and empower parents and caregivers to make informed choices for their  children’s health. 

Background and Context  

Many diaper companies do not disclose all their products’ ingredients, leaving caregivers unable to  make informed decisions about products that continuously touch their baby’s skin. This lack of  information is a problem because mounting research suggests that children's diapers can contain  harmful substances, like hormone-disrupting phthalates and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).  Despite these risks, children’s diaper manufacturers are not required to disclose which ingredients they  use. 

Prevalence of Harmful Substances in Diapers 

Babies and toddlers are especially vulnerable to harmful chemicals because their bodies and skin are  still developing, and their smaller size can result in proportionately higher exposures relative to body  weight, making the risks more concerning. Additionally, the skin around their genitals is very  thin, exacerbating the risks from constant exposure to harmful substances in diapers. Recent testing  shows that many diapers are made with ingredients linked to health and environmental concerns. For  example, one recent study found toxic VOCs in all tested disposable diapers and wipes at trace  levels. Another study identified the risks to babies exposed to phthalates in disposable diapers. 

Status of Diaper Regulation 

The Food and Drug Administration doesn’t regulate children’s diapers as medical devices, although it  regulates adult incontinence products as such. Instead, baby diapers fall under the purview of the  Consumer Product Safety Commission. The Commission requires baby diapers to be tested for lead  but does not require manufacturers to test for a variety of other harmful chemicals or disclose their  ingredients. 

In 2024, New York enacted a law requiring limited on-label disclosure of diaper ingredients. This law  did not include any exemption for confidential business information and went into effect on January 1,  2025. California's caregivers should be able to purchase diapers that also transparently inform them of  ingredients. 

California as a Leader in Keeping Babies Safe 

AB 1901 would fill this information gap by requiring full disclosure of all intentionally added ingredients by manufacturers of children’s diapers sold, distributed, or manufactured in California.  Manufacturers would be required to clearly label all ingredients on both the product’s packaging and  online. By requiring ingredient transparency, this legislation would give parents the information they  need to compare products and make informed choices about which diapers are safest for their baby. 

Other Product Manufacturers are Required to List Ingredients on Labels 

Manufacturers of food and cosmetic products list product ingredients on the products' packaging.  These manufacturers are not allowed to mismatch the product and the labelled ingredients, should the  product ingredients change. Therefore, diaper manufacturers, like food and cosmetic manufacturers,  should be able to accurately list a diaper’s ingredients on a package – without mismatching. Allowing  manufacturers to sell diapers in packages with out-of-date ingredient lists, as requested by the  opposition, would undermine the intent of the bill and not provide consumers trustworthy information. 

Please Support AB 1901 and Provide Diaper Ingredient Transparency 

We urge you to support AB 1901 to protect California babies from exposure to harmful chemicals on  their sensitive skin. This will empower parents and caregivers to make informed choices about the  diapers they choose to keep their babies clean and dry. 

Sincerely,  

(See attached letter for joint signatures)