July 24, 2025
Mr. Merkley introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
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).