Phosphate Detergent Act Passes the Legislature

The Phosphate Detergent act has been passed by the state legislature and will require all commercial soap that is sold in PA to have no phosphate in it. The law takes effect on July, 1st 2010 in order for soap companies to fall into compliance. Currently 8 other states have enacted the same legislation with the same date as PA. They are Washington, Minnesota, Indiana, Illinois, Virginia, Massachusetts, Utah, and Vermont. Four other states have pending legislation, they are California, Maryland, Michigan, and Ohio. The new regulations are expected to reduce the amount of phosphorous in the waste stream by 24 percent.