Relates to hair relaxer labeling

New health warnings on hair relaxers

Beginning 18 months after becoming law, hair relaxers offered for sale in New York must carry warnings for certain chemicals. Products containing chemicals covered by the law must warn about cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm, or both. Warnings must be clear and easy to see, on the packaging or product, in at least 12-point type. Manufacturers and brand owners are responsible for compliance. For foreign suppliers without a U.S. presence, that responsibility falls to the importer or first domestic distributor. The Attorney General can seek court orders stopping violations without proving injury. Courts can impose fines up to $250 per unit for a first offense and $500 per unit for each later offense. The law also allows immediate rulemaking to prepare for its effective date.