S. 2435

119 S2435 IS: Fighting Fibers Act of 2025
 U.S. Senate
 2025-07-24
 text/xml
 EN
 Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.
  II
  119th CONGRESS
  1st Session
  S. 2435
  IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
  July 24, 2025
  Mr. Merkley  introduced the following
  bill; which was read twice and referred to the  Committee on Commerce, Science, and
  Transportation
  A BILL
To require that all new washing machines sold or offered for sale in the
  United States contain a microfiber filtration system, and for other
  purposes.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the   Fighting Fibers Act of 2025  .
2.
Definition of Administrator
In this Act, the term  Administrator  means the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
3.
Microfiber filtration in washing machines
(a)
Definitions
In this section:
(1)
Microfiber filtration system
The term  microfiber filtration system  means a filtration unit for a washing machine that is—
(A)
active across all washing cycles; and
(B)
(i)
integrated into the washing machine design as a built-in filter; or
(ii)
(I)
included as an in-line filter; and
(II)
packaged, sold, and installed with the washing machine.
(2)
Washing machine
(A)
In general
The term  washing machine  means a machine designed and used for washing clothes and linen.
(B)
Inclusions
The term  washing machine  includes residential and commercial washing machines.
(b)
Microfiber filtration
The Administrator, jointly with the Secretary of Energy, shall ensure that, beginning on January 1, 2030, no new washing machine is sold or offered for sale in the United States unless the washing machine meets the following requirements:
(1)
Contains a microfiber filtration system—
(A)
with a mesh size of not greater than 100 micrometers; or
(B)
that meets another standard that is determined by the Administrator, jointly with the Secretary of Energy, in a rulemaking under subsection (c) to provide equal or greater efficacy in reducing microfiber pollution as compared to a microfiber filtration system with a mesh size of not greater than 100 micrometers.
(2)
Bears a conspicuous label that is visible to the consumer, in the form of a sticker or any other label type, that includes—
(A)
the following statement:  Notice: This washing machine contains a filter to capture microfibers. Check filter regularly and dispose of captured lint in a waste bin. ; or
(B)
a similar label as determined by the Administrator, jointly with the Secretary of Energy, in a rulemaking under subsection (c).
(3)
Such other requirements or standards as the Administrator, jointly with the Secretary of Energy, may require through a rulemaking under subsection (c).
(c)
Rulemaking
The Administrator, jointly with the Secretary of Energy, may promulgate regulations to carry out this section.
(d)
Civil penalties
(1)
In general
Any person that violates the requirements of this section shall be assessed a civil penalty by the Administrator of—
(A)
in the case of a first violation, not more than $10,000; and
(B)
in the case of each subsequent violation, $30,000.
(2)
Cumulative remedies
The remedies provided in this section are in addition to any other remedy available under any other law.
(e)
Savings provision
Nothing in this section impairs or impedes any other right, cause of action, claim, or defense available under any other law.
4.
Microfiber research and directives
(a)
Definition of microfiber
In this section, the term  microfiber  means a synthetic or natural textile fiber that is less than 5 millimeters in length.
(b)
Study
(1)
In general
The Administrator, in consultation with the heads of other Federal departments and agencies as the Administrator determines to be necessary, shall carry out a nationwide study on—
(A)
the presence of, sources of, and pathways used by microfibers in the human body and the environment;
(B)
whether the presence of microfibers in the human body and the environment has a toxic effect on human health and the environment; and
(C)
whether the presence of microfibers in the human body and the environment has an inequitable impact on environmental justice communities, as determined by the Administrator.
(2)
Report
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to Congress, and make publicly available, a report that describes the results of the study under paragraph (1).