SPRINGFIELD – To make it easier for parents and caregivers to understand exactly what’s in the diapers they use every day, State Senator Laura Fine passed legislation that clarifies the ingredients in both disposable and reusable diapers.
“Parents and caregivers shouldn’t have to guess what’s in the products their children wear every day,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “This bill ensures transparency, protects those with allergies and gives families the information they need to make safe choices.”
House Bill 4702 comes in response to concerns from new parents, constituents and individuals who experience allergic reactions to fragrances and other chemicals in diapers. While federal rules protect adults using medical-device-classified diapers, infant and children’s diapers currently lack the same ingredient transparency, leaving families without critical information.
“Most parents will have some experience with diaper rashes, but for children with allergies and skin sensitivities, the issue can be more serious and sometimes difficult to pinpoint,” said State Rep. Tracy Katz Muhl (D-Northbrook), who originally filed the bill. “This is a minimal imposition and burden for diaper makers that benefits every parent and helps keep every baby safe in Illinois.”
"Parents should be able to make informed choices about the products they literally put on their babies," said State Rep. Justin Cochran (D-Des Plaines), one of the bill's chief sponsors. "Empowering parents to care for their kids their way in a world that often seems to be doing nothing but getting more and more complicated is something everyone should be able to get behind."
Under House Bill 4702 – also known as the Diaper Labeling Act – all diaper packages would need to include a clear, printed list of ingredients, ordered by predominance, with exceptions for ingredients present at 1% or less. Under the measure, manufacturers would be permitted to list confidential or trade-secret ingredients under their common or functional names rather than their specific chemical formulas.
“This legislation offers families transparency and peace of mind,” Fine said. “Illinois is stepping up to lead on diaper ingredient labeling so parents can protect their children from harmful allergens before a problem arises.”
House Bill 4702 passed the Senate Tuesday.
