Diaper Ingredient Disclosure Laws: What Moms Need to Know
For the first time, US parents are getting a legal right to know what is in a diaper. New York's disclosure law is already in force, California's version is sitting on the governor's desk this month, and independent lab testing keeps finding things in diapers that no label has ever mentioned.
TL;DR:
- New York's diaper disclosure law, signed December 2024, took effect in December 2025 and requires brands to list every intentionally added ingredient on the package.
- California's AB 1901 passed the legislature and was sent to Governor Newsom on September 4, 2026. It would require ingredient disclosure online by the end of 2028 and on labels by January 2029.
- Independent lab testing commissioned by Mamavation found markers for PFAS in roughly a quarter of the diapers and diapering products it tested.
- Use this law as a practical tool: read labels, know the red-flag ingredients, and swap toward safer options at whatever pace fits your budget.
Key Takeaways
- New York's diaper disclosure law (signed December 2024, effective December 2025) was the first in the US to mandate full ingredient labeling on both disposable and reusable diapers. California's AB 1901, awaiting the governor's signature as of September 2026, would go further and require each chemical's CAS number and its purpose.
- Ingredients to watch for once labels appear: fragrances, dyes, parabens, and chlorine bleaching agents, all of which have documented associations with hormone disruption and skin irritation in infants.
- You don't have to wait for the law to take full effect. Several brands already disclose ingredients voluntarily and are available at a range of price points right now.
Why Does This Law Even Matter?
If you've ever flipped a diaper package over hoping to find an ingredient list, you already know the answer: there wasn't one. Until now, diaper companies in the US were under zero legal obligation to tell you what materials were pressed against your baby's skin for 24 hours a day.
That's not a small gap. Newborns wear diapers through some of the most developmentally sensitive months of their lives. The skin barrier of a newborn is thinner and more permeable than adult skin, which means chemical exposure through skin contact is a real and documented pathway, not a fringe concern.
What Does New York's Diaper Disclosure Act Actually Require?
Signed by Governor Hochul in December 2024 and effective as of December 2025, New York's law requires diaper manufacturers to list all intentionally added ingredients in order of predominance on the package, covering both disposable and reusable diapers. Manufacturers were given twelve months from the effective date to update their packaging, which is why the labels are appearing on shelves through 2026. EWG
Under the law, "ingredient" is defined as any intentionally added substance present in the diaper. That means fragrances, dyes, bleaching agents, adhesives, and synthetic absorbent materials all have to be disclosed.
What this means for your family: You'll finally be able to comparison-shop diapers based on what's actually in them, not just marketing language like "gentle" or "natural."
The law does not require disclosure of contaminants (substances that end up in a product unintentionally), but it closes a transparency gap that existed for decades. New York State Senate Bill 2023-S2279C
What Is California's AB 1901, and Would It Change Anything?
California's AB 1901 would require diaper makers to disclose every intentionally added ingredient along with its Chemical Abstract Service number and the reason it is in the product, first online and later on the package itself. The bill passed both chambers and was presented to Governor Newsom on September 4, 2026. EWG, which cosponsored the bill alongside Consumer Reports, reports that the disclosure would have to be posted online by the end of 2028 and printed on packaging by January 2029.
Actor and children's health advocate Hilary Swank, who previously campaigned for California's prenatal vitamin testing law, wrote publicly to the governor in September 2026 urging him to sign it.
What this means for your family: If California signs, the practical effect reaches far beyond California. Manufacturers rarely run separate packaging for one state, so a California requirement tends to become the national standard by default.
SCRUNCHY MOM TIP: Even after this law takes effect, check for certifications like OEKO-TEX or EWG Verified as a secondary layer of reassurance. Certifications test for contaminants (like residual pesticides or heavy metals) that ingredient labels won't catch.
What Ingredients Should You Actually Look For on Diaper Labels?
Fragrances and "Parfum"
"Fragrance" and "parfum" are catch-all terms that can represent dozens of undisclosed chemicals within a single ingredient listing. Some fragrance components are classified as endocrine disruptors, meaning they can interfere with your baby's hormone system, which regulates growth, development, and reproductive health.
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) notes that fragrance formulas rank among the top five known allergens and that the average fragrance product tested contained 14 chemicals not listed on the label. For a baby wearing a diaper for most of the day, fragrance exposure is cumulative and constant.
What this means for your family: Choose fragrance-free diapers whenever possible. "Unscented" doesn't always mean fragrance-free; check the ingredient list now that New York's labels are rolling out.
Parabens
Parabens are preservatives used to prevent mold and bacteria growth. They're commonly found in baby lotions, shampoos, diaper creams, and wipes. Parabens can mimic estrogen in the body, potentially disrupting hormone function and affecting early development, fertility, and reproductive health. The FDA acknowledges that parabens have been shown to have weak estrogen-like activity and that it continues to evaluate the science.
What this means for your family: Look for "paraben-free" on diaper cream and wipe labels right now. Many clean brands already exclude them.
Chlorine Bleaching Agents
Many conventional disposable diapers use chlorine bleaching to make the absorbent pulp white. This process can generate dioxins as byproducts. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences notes that dioxins are highly persistent in the body and are associated with cancer, reproductive harm, and immune system effects. Look for diapers labeled "chlorine-free" or "elemental chlorine-free (ECF)" as a safer alternative.
What this means for your family: Chlorine-free is one of the most meaningful label callouts you can look for on a diaper package today.
Dyes
Dyes used to color diaper waistbands, tabs, or wetness indicators are another ingredient category that New York's law now requires manufacturers to disclose. Some synthetic dyes are associated with contact dermatitis, especially in babies with sensitive or eczema-prone skin.
What About PFAS, Which No Label Will Show You?
Neither New York's law nor California's bill covers PFAS, because PFAS in diapers generally show up as contaminants rather than intentionally added ingredients. That is the single biggest limitation of ingredient disclosure, and it is worth understanding before you assume a clean label means a clean diaper.
Independent testing commissioned by Mamavation at an EPA-certified laboratory examined 65 diapers and diapering accessories from 40 brands. The lab screened for organic fluorine, a marker used to flag the likely presence of PFAS, and found it in about 17% of disposable diapers and 30% of cloth diapers and accessories tested, at levels ranging from 10 to 323 parts per million.
One honest caveat, because it matters: organic fluorine is a screening marker, not a confirmed PFAS identification. A detection means further testing is warranted, not that a specific PFAS compound was measured. Several widely sold diapers in the same round of testing came back non-detect, including some conventional mainstream options.
What this means for your family: Use the ingredient label for what it is good at, which is spotting fragrance, dyes, and preservatives. For contaminants like PFAS, third-party certifications and published test results are the better tool.
Which Diaper Brands Already Disclose Ingredients?
You don't have to wait for the law to take full effect to start making cleaner choices. Several brands are already transparent about what's in their products.
For a high-performing, non-toxic option: Coterie diapers are free from chlorine, fragrance, and dyes, and the brand publishes ingredient information voluntarily. They're known for strong absorbency, which matters for overnight and heavy wetters.
For a cotton-lined diaper: Kudos diapers are the first to be lined with 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton and carry OEKO-TEX certification. If your baby has sensitive skin or you're concerned about synthetic materials against skin, this is a meaningful differentiator.
If you're on a tight budget, start with switching to a fragrance-free and dye-free conventional diaper (many major brands now offer these lines) and don't stress yet about premium certifications. Progress over perfection.
What About Wipes and Diaper Creams?
The diaper law covers the diaper itself, but wipes and diaper creams are part of the same daily exposure picture and deserve the same scrutiny.
For wipes: Joonya makes fragrance-free, preservative-conscious baby wipes and publishes its full ingredient list, which is exactly the transparency the diaper laws are trying to mandate. Coterie and Kudos also sell wipes alongside their diapers if you prefer to buy both from one brand. Switching wipes is one of the easiest and most affordable swaps you can make today.
For diaper balm: Two options that meet clean ingredient standards are Earth Mama Organic Diaper Balm, which carries EWG Verified status, and LaPetite, a French-style liniment made with organic olive oil and limestone water. Other well-regarded options include Motherlove Diaper Balm, Badger Baby Balm, and Weleda Baby Calendula Diaper Cream, available as unlinked plain-text searches if you're comparison shopping.
SCRUNCHY MOM TIP: Diaper balm doesn't have to be expensive. LaPetite's liniment bottle goes a long way when used correctly, and it doubles as a general skin balm for dryness, scrapes, and even bug bites.
How to Use This Law as a Practical Tool Starting Now
The Diaper Disclosure Act gives parents leverage they've never had before. Here's how to put it to work:
| Action | When to Do It | Budget Level |
|---|---|---|
| Switch to fragrance-free diapers | Right now | Low (major brands have this option) |
| Try a cotton-lined or certified diaper | When current stash runs out | Medium |
| Read the new ingredient label | Now, as labels roll out | Free |
| Cross-reference labels with EWG Skin Deep database | Ongoing | Free |
| Swap to water-based wipes | Right now | Low |
| Switch to a clean diaper balm | Next purchase | Low to Medium |
Start here this week: Swap your wipes to a fragrance-free or water-based option. It takes about 30 seconds to find at most major retailers, it's one of the highest-frequency contact products in your baby's day, and it's one of the lowest-cost changes you can make.
FAQ
Q: Does the New York diaper law apply to brands sold nationwide, or only in New York?
A: The law applies to diapers sold in New York, but because major brands distribute nationally using unified packaging, most manufacturers are expected to update their labels for all markets rather than produce separate packaging for one state. Consumer Reports notes this is likely to have a national ripple effect. Consumer Reports
Q: Do contaminants like dioxins or pesticide residues have to be listed under the new law?
A: No. The law covers intentionally added ingredients only. Contaminants, which are substances that end up in a product as unintended byproducts of manufacturing (like dioxins from chlorine bleaching), are not required to be disclosed. This is why third-party certifications like OEKO-TEX remain a useful additional layer of screening.
Q: My baby has a diaper rash that won't clear up. Could diaper ingredients be the cause?
A: It's possible. Skin irritants in diapers, including fragrances, dyes, and certain preservatives, can contribute to contact dermatitis, which can look very similar to a standard diaper rash. If redness persists despite standard treatment, talk to your pediatrician and consider trying a certified fragrance-free and dye-free diaper for at least two weeks to see if symptoms improve. American Academy of Dermatology
About the Author
Jenn Smith, RN BSN, is a registered nurse, mom, and co-founder of Scrunchy Living. She writes evidence-based guides to non-toxic living, pregnancy-safe products, and clean home practices for modern families.
This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your pediatrician or healthcare provider with questions about your baby's health, skin conditions, or product sensitivities.
Shop These Recommendations
| Product | Why It's Worth It | Amazon |
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| Coterie | A brand of high-performing, non-toxic diapers and wipes. Their diapers are known for… | Buy on Amazon |
| Kudos | A brand of non-toxic diapers and wipes. Their diapers are the first to be lined with 100%… | |
| Joonya | An Australian-founded baby brand making fragrance-free wipes and diapers with a fully published ingredient list… | |
| LaPetite | A brand offering a French-style diapering lotion/balm (liniment) made with organic olive… | |
| Earth Mama | Earth Mama Organics is a family-owned maker of organic herbal teas, balms and body care… |
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