The state of New York has proposed new legislation that will require the disclosure of chemicals in pet products. If passed, the law will eventually lead to a ban on toxic chemicals.

  • Bill A01976 includes a list that names 83 chemicals that are considered “high concern” and nine chemicals that are considered “priority.”
  • For the first year of the bill’s enforcement, “priority” chemicals will have to be reported by pet product companies, and there will be a fee required for intentionally adding these chemicals. With a target date of January 2028, all priority chemicals that have been on the list for at least one year will be strictly prohibited from pet products.


The bill would take effect 120 days after becoming law. To be clear, this would not affect pet food, which is regulated by the FDA. It would concern pet products such as chew toys, pet apparel, blankets or bed and grooming accessories. Many of these affected products have gained popularity in the promo marketplace.

RELATED: Fetch A Paws-itive Response For Your Clients’ Brands With Promo For Pets

  • Manufacturers and domestic distributors will be required to undergo a chemical disclosure program, and manufacturers must inform retailers or sellers of any priority chemicals in the product.


‘High Visibility’ Opportunities With Pet Promo

Pets are a part of many families and, ultimately, a piece of our larger community. We care about pets, and the numbers bear this out. Collectively, we spend $124 billion on our pets.

In some cases, people are willing to make their pets a walking billboard, while their furry friend brings positive associations to anyone they pass by. For those reasons, many distributors are helping clients find the perfect promo opportunities for pet products.

Alexis Johnson, marketing and communications specialist at Zagwear, PPAI 100’s No. 45 distributor, says that some pet products are great for promo because dogs, for example, aren’t static. They go out and see their neighborhood.

[Pet products] provide a high level of visibility, as pets are often taken out for walks or to public places where they can be seen by others.”

Alexis Johnson

Marketing & Communications Specialist, Zagwear

“Pet accessories are a powerful marketing tactic,” Johnson says. “There aren’t many people who don’t want to pet a dog they see out and about. They also provide a high level of visibility, as pets are often taken out for walks or to public places where they can be seen by others. This visibility can be leveraged to increase brand recognition and connect with potential customers.”

As the marketplace continues to grow for promotional pet products, distributors and suppliers will need to keep a close eye on bill A01976, as failure to adhere to chemical disclosure could result in enforcement through significant fines. Furthermore, promo firms already working with pet products have a few years to prepare for what will require the elimination of “priority” chemicals.