HB1143: HB1143 Menstrual Product Transparency and Safety Act of 2026; enact

Georgia currently has no state law regulating what chemicals can be in menstrual products like tampons, pads, and menstrual cups, or requiring their ingredients to be listed on packaging. This bill, called the Menstrual Product Transparency and Safety Act of 2026, would change that by adding a new section to Georgia's health code (O.C.G.A. § 31-1-27). Starting July 1, 2027, menstrual products could not contain restricted substances, such as lead, mercury, formaldehyde, certain antimicrobials, talc, phthalates, or PFAS chemicals, as intentionally added ingredients, and could only contain trace amounts up to limits set by the Department of Public Health. The department must identify those restricted substances and set trace limits by January 1, 2027. Starting July 1, 2027, packaging must list all ingredients by order of amount. Starting July 1, 2026, manufacturers must submit ingredient lists for independent lab testing every year and post results publicly online. Manufacturers who violate labeling or testing rules face a civil penalty. The department must also launch a public education campaign and review standards every three years.

• Bans menstrual products from containing certain restricted chemicals, like lead, mercury, formaldehyde, talc, phthalates, and PFAS, as intentionally added ingredients starting July 1, 2027.
• Directs the Department of Public Health to identify restricted substances and set allowable trace amount limits by January 1, 2027, reviewed at least every five years.
• Requires packaging on tampons, pads, and menstrual cups to list all ingredients in order of amount, starting July 1, 2027.
• Requires manufacturers to submit ingredient lists for independent lab testing every year starting July 1, 2026 and post results on their websites.
• Sets a civil penalty for manufacturers that violate the labeling or testing rules, capped at 1 percent of in-state sales or $1,000 per package, whichever is less.
• Requires the Department of Public Health to run a public education campaign on reading labels and health risks, starting July 1, 2026.

Manufacturers and sellers of tampons, pads, menstrual cups, and similar products in Georgia; the Department of Public Health, which must set chemical limits and run an education campaign; and Georgians who use menstrual products, who would gain access to ingredient information and testing results.

Georgians who buy menstrual products would be able to see a full ingredient list on the package and check independent lab test results online, and certain chemicals linked to health concerns would be restricted or capped, changing what manufacturers can put in these products and how they must disclose it.

• Section 2 adds O.C.G.A. § 31-1-27, defining key terms including 'menstrual product,' 'restricted substance,' 'manufacturer,' and 'intentionally added ingredient.'
• Subsection (b) bans restricted substances as intentionally added ingredients starting July 1, 2027, and requires the Department of Public Health to set trace thresholds and a compliance schedule by January 1, 2027, reviewed every five years.
• Subsection (b)(3) clarifies the law does not create a private right to sue, impose criminal penalties, or override federal law.
• Subsection (c) requires packaging to list ingredients 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 publicly on manufacturer websites.
• Subsection (e) sets a civil penalty for violations of the labeling or testing rules, capped at 1 percent of annual in-state sales or $1,000 per package or box.
• Subsection (f) requires the department to launch a public education campaign starting July 1, 2026 covering label reading, health risks, and sustainable product options.
• Subsection (g) requires the department to review and update compliance and safety standards every three years, with input from consumer groups and manufacturers.

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