Minnesota’s PFAS ban will exempt youth powersports products

Youth motorsports hit by PFAS ban

A new law taking effect on Jan. 1 in Minnesota will limit the use of PFAS ?forever chemicals? in products ? in turn creating a ban on certain youth motorsports equipment.

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - A new law in Minnesota that seeks to ban the use of "forever chemicals" – also known as PFAS – in products intended for young people has now been loosened after powersports enthusiasts argued the restrictions went too far.

Youth ATV, dirt bike PFAS

What we know:

Since Jan. 1, 2025, it has been illegal in Minnesota to sell PFAS-containing products in 11 categories – one of which includes toys and children’s clothing, with powersports products falling under that umbrella.

But this summer, the Minnesota Legislature created an exemption for recreational vehicles from the definition of "juvenile product" – opening the window for the sale of items that contain added PFAS "where exposure is unlikely." However, the products will still face a prohibition on "avoidable uses" by 2032.

The law tweak also extended a PFAS reporting deadline by six months, allowing manufacturers until July 1, 2026, to submit an initial report on the purpose and amount of PFAS in their products.

As part of a new documentary, FOX 9 Investigators reviewed hundreds of hours of video depositions that shed new light on how company executives and scientists responded after first learning about the widespread PFAS contaminations in Minnesota.

Dealerships hurting

Dig deeper:

FOX 9 previously spoke with dealership owners who said they discovered the ban would extend to their products too late in the process, lamenting the lack of transparency by lawmakers.

"Starting Jan. 1, we cannot sell these products," said Davis Motorsports general manager Tom Stifter said during the last legislative session, noting he was first told by his Honda representative that he would likely be stuck with about $35,000 in unsalable inventory in the wake of the decision.

With new model year vehicles now available, it's likely that powersports dealerships will need to sell the older models they currently have, and were previously prohibited from selling, at a loss, in order to clear the way for newer vehicles on their showroom floors.

Minnesota communities monitor new PFAS rules

At least 22 communities throughout Minnesota have been flagged by the health department as impacted under the new federal guidelines for PFAS in drinking water.

What's next:

Under the exemption, powersports dealerships will now be able to sell the newly exempt vehicles that have been sitting in showrooms for more than six months.