Congress·In Committee·H.R. 7685

Hair Care Safety: Banning Formaldehyde in Straightening Products

Healthy Hair Act

Legislative Progress

House

Senate

President

Law

The Healthy Hair Act would make it illegal to sell hair straightening or smoothing products that contain formaldehyde or chemicals that release it. This includes popular salon treatments like keratin treatments and chemical relaxers used to change hair texture.
The ban would take effect 180 days after the bill becomes law. It aims to protect salon workers who breathe in these chemicals daily and consumers, particularly Black women, who are the primary users of chemical hair relaxers.
Formaldehyde is a known chemical linked to cancer, breathing problems, and hormone disruption. By removing it from these products, the bill seeks to lower the risk of long-term health issues for both stylists and their customers.
The bill also requires the FDA to work with workplace safety experts to study how these chemicals affect health over time. They must report their findings and recommendations for further safety rules to Congress within about two years.

2 milestones2 actions

Feb 25, 2026House

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Feb 25, 2026

Introduced in House

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Healthy Hair Act

Bill NumberHR 7685

Congress119th Congress

ChamberHouse of Representatives

Latest ActionReferred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

(14)

D: 14

Congress.gov

Official legislative information

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