ALBANY, N.Y. (WKBW) — Governor Andrew Cuomo is now proposing a new part of his Executive Budget for 2019 that could protect people all over the state from exposure to toxic chemicals. It's called the "Consumer Right to Know Act."
The proposed legislation would enable the Department of Environmental Conservation to work with the Departments of Health and State to come up with new regulations on packing labels requiring warnings for potentially hazardous chemicals, including carcinogens, in products.
"The more we know about our exposure to chemicals, the more frightening the situation is," Governor Cuomo said. "Consumers have the right to know what is in the products they use, and requiring labeling on designated products will provide consumers with the information they deserve."
All three departments would take a look into how feasible on-package labeling would be, develop requirements for labeling certain products, come up with a list of more than 1,000 carcinogens and other chemicals that would merit going on a label and figure out how to identify the types of products that the new system would cover.
The "Consumer Right to Know Act" would also extend the DEC's household cleaning product disclosure requirements to all cleaning products sold in the state, meaning the DOH could require makers of personal care products to make the ingredients publicly available and accessible.
