HB 1143: Menstrual Product Transparency and Safety Act of 2026; enact

Georgia law currently has no specific rules requiring menstrual product makers to disclose ingredients or limit chemicals in tampons, pads, and menstrual cups. This bill, called the Menstrual Product Transparency and Safety Act of 2026, would add a new section to Georgia's health code addressing that gap. Starting July 1, 2027, menstrual products could not intentionally contain 'restricted substances' such as lead, mercury, formaldehyde, triclosan, toluene, talc, phthalates, or PFAS, beyond limits the Department of Public Health sets by January 1, 2027. Packages would need a full ingredient list printed in order of amount. Manufacturers would have to send that list for independent lab testing starting July 1, 2026, and post the results on their websites. Violations could bring a civil penalty of 1 percent of a manufacturer's in-state sales, capped at $1,000 per package. The department would also launch a public education campaign and review standards every three years.

• Bans intentionally added 'restricted substances' (such as lead, PFAS, formaldehyde, and phthalates) in menstrual products starting July 1, 2027, unless below thresholds the state sets.
• Requires the Department of Public Health to identify restricted substances and set allowable trace limits and a phased compliance schedule by January 1, 2027.
• Requires manufacturers to print a full ingredient list, in order of amount, on every menstrual product package starting July 1, 2027.
• Requires manufacturers to submit ingredient lists for independent lab testing annually starting July 1, 2026 and post results publicly online.
• Sets a civil penalty for violations equal to 1 percent of a manufacturer's in-state sales, capped at $1,000 per package or box.
• Directs the department to run a public education campaign on reading labels and health risks, and to review labeling standards every three years.

Manufacturers and sellers of tampons, pads, menstrual cups, and other menstrual products sold in Georgia; the Department of Public Health, which must set chemical limits and run testing and education programs; and Georgia consumers who use these products.

Georgians who buy menstrual products would gain access to ingredient lists and independent lab test results they currently cannot see, and manufacturers would face new chemical limits and labeling duties, with financial penalties if they fail to comply once the requirements take effect.

• Section 2 adds new Code Section 31-1-27, defining terms like 'restricted substance,' 'intentionally added ingredient,' and 'third-party testing.'
• Subsection (b) bans restricted substances as intentionally added ingredients starting July 1, 2027, and requires the department to set trace thresholds and a compliance schedule by January 1, 2027, reviewed at least every five years.
• Subsection (c) requires ingredient labeling on packaging in order of predominance by weight or volume, starting July 1, 2027, and encourages disclosure of environmental impact.
• Subsection (d) requires annual third-party testing of ingredient lists starting July 1, 2026, with results posted on manufacturers' websites.
• Subsection (e) sets a civil penalty of 1 percent of in-state sales, capped at $1,000 per package, for violations of the labeling or testing requirements.
• Subsection (f) directs the department to launch a public education campaign starting July 1, 2026 on label reading, health risks, and sustainable products.
• Subsection (g) requires the department to review and update compliance and safety standards every three years starting July 1, 2026, with stakeholder input.

1. 2026-02-04House Second Readers (House)
2. 2026-02-03House First Readers (House)
3. 2026-02-02House Hopper (House)

• Kim Schofield (D, HD-063)Primary sponsor
• Debbie Buckner (D, HD-137)
• Carolyn Hugley (D, HD-141)
• Viola Davis (D, HD-087)
• Sandra Scott (D, HD-076)

• menstrual products
• consumer safety
• chemical regulation
• product labeling
• public health