Congress moves to ban formaldehyde in hair products, protecting salon workers
H.R. 7685 — Healthy Hair Act · Filed by Shontel Brown (D-OH) · 18 cosponsors · Introduced Feb 25, 2026 · Referred to committee
Your members of Congress
Enter a ZIP to see where your representative and both senators stood on this bill.
Looked up on this device — your ZIP is never stored on our servers.
What it does
This bill bans hair straightening and smoothing products (including keratin treatments) that contain any amount of formaldehyde or formaldehyde-releasing chemicals from being sold in the U.S., effective 180 days after enactment. It also requires the FDA and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health to study the health impacts of these products on salon workers and the general public, with reports due within 1–2 years.
Why we flagged it
The bill's core mechanism is a straightforward product safety ban targeting a known occupational and consumer health hazard. The study requirement reinforces evidence-based regulation rather than serving any narrow interest.
What the text implies
- The 180-day implementation window may create a brief market-clearing period where manufacturers rush to sell existing inventory, potentially exposing consumers to the banned products during the transition.
- The bill does not explicitly address imported products or enforcement at ports of entry, potentially creating a loophole for foreign manufacturers to circumvent the ban.
The full analysis lists 4 implications of this text.
Who stands to gain
alternative hair-care product manufacturers (non-formaldehyde smoothing treatments); occupational health and safety consulting firms; research institutions conducting the mandated study