H.R. 4694

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4694 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 4694

To require that all new washing machines sold or offered for sale in 
the United States contain a microfiber filtration system, and for other 
purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

July 23, 2025

Mr. Levin introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Energy and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To require that all new washing machines sold or offered for sale in 
the United States contain a microfiber filtration system, and for other 
purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Fighting Fibers Act of 2025''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITION OF ADMINISTRATOR.

In this Act, the term ``Administrator'' means the Administrator of 
the Environmental Protection Agency.

SEC. 3. MICROFIBER FILTRATION IN WASHING MACHINES.

(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Microfiber filtration system.--The term ``microfiber 
filtration system'' means a filtration unit for a washing 
machine that is--
(A) active across all washing cycles; and
(B)(i) integrated into the washing machine design 
as a built-in filter; or
(ii)(I) included as an in-line filter; and
(II) packaged, sold, and installed with the washing 
machine.
(2) Washing machine.--
(A) In general.--The term ``washing machine'' means 
a machine designed and used for washing clothes and 
linen.
(B) Inclusions.--The term ``washing machine'' 
includes residential and commercial washing machines.
(b) Microfiber Filtration.--The Administrator, jointly with the 
Secretary of Energy, shall ensure that, beginning on January 1, 2030, 
no new washing machine is sold or offered for sale in the United States 
unless the washing machine meets the following requirements:
(1) Contains a microfiber filtration system--
(A) with a mesh size of not greater than 100 
micrometers; or
(B) that meets another standard that is determined 
by the Administrator, jointly with the Secretary of 
Energy, in a rulemaking under subsection (c) to provide 
equal or greater efficacy in reducing microfiber 
pollution as compared to a microfiber filtration system 
with a mesh size of not greater than 100 micrometers.
(2) Bears a conspicuous label that is visible to the 
consumer, in the form of a sticker or any other label type, 
that includes--
(A) the following statement: ``Notice: This washing 
machine contains a filter to capture microfibers. Check 
filter regularly and dispose of captured lint in a 
waste bin.''; or
(B) a similar label as determined by the 
Administrator, jointly with the Secretary of Energy, in 
a rulemaking under subsection (c).
(3) Such other requirements or standards as the 
Administrator, jointly with the Secretary of Energy, may 
require through a rulemaking under subsection (c).
(c) Rulemaking.--The Administrator, jointly with the Secretary of 
Energy, may promulgate regulations to carry out this section.
(d) Civil Penalties.--
(1) In general.--Any person that violates the requirements 
of this section shall be assessed a civil penalty by the 
Administrator of--
(A) in the case of a first violation, not more than 
$10,000; and
(B) in the case of each subsequent violation, 
$30,000.
(2) Cumulative remedies.--The remedies provided in this 
section are in addition to any other remedy available under any 
other law.
(e) Savings Provision.--Nothing in this section impairs or impedes 
any other right, cause of action, claim, or defense available under any 
other law.

SEC. 4. MICROFIBER RESEARCH AND DIRECTIVES.

(a) Definition of Microfiber.--In this section, the term 
``microfiber'' means a synthetic or natural textile fiber that is less 
than 5 millimeters in length.
(b) Study.--
(1) In general.--The Administrator, in consultation with 
the heads of other Federal departments and agencies as the 
Administrator determines to be necessary, shall carry out a 
nationwide study on--
(A) the presence of, sources of, and pathways used 
by microfibers in the human body and the environment;
(B) whether the presence of microfibers in the 
human body and the environment has a toxic effect on 
human health and the environment; and
(C) whether the presence of microfibers in the 
human body and the environment has an inequitable 
impact on environmental justice communities, as 
determined by the Administrator.
(2) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to 
Congress, and make publicly available, a report that describes 
the results of the study under paragraph (1).
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