WASHINGTON – The newly passed National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, for fiscal year 2025 includes a provision requiring the Department of Defense to prioritize purchasing cleaning products certified under the Environmental Protection Agency’s Safer Choice program.
These products are made with ingredients that are safer for people and the environment, and made without the toxic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS.
The following is a statement from John Reeder, vice president of federal affairs, at the Environmental Working Group:
The DOD manages over 2.3 billion square feet of buildings worldwide. Maintaining these facilities should not come at the expense of exposing service members, their families, workers and building occupants to toxic PFAS or other harmful chemicals.
Congress has taken a significant step to protect our service members by including a key provision in the fiscal year 2025 NDAA. This provision directs the DOD to purchase Safer Choice cleaning products, which have already been verified by the EPA to be made without PFAS or other toxic chemicals.
This new provision represents progress in reducing exposure to PFAS and other hazardous substances. It also promotes innovation by encouraging American companies to develop, produce and distribute safer, PFAS-free products.
EWG applauds the leadership of the Senate and House Armed Services committees, Sens. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Reps. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) and Adam Smith (D-Wash.). We also thank Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Reps. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) and Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) for making this provision a priority.
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The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is a nonprofit, non-partisan organization that empowers people to live healthier lives in a healthier environment. Through research, advocacy and unique education tools, EWG drives consumer choice and civic action.
