A new bill filed by State Rep. Von Haefen in the North Carolina House seeks to prohibit certain toxic chemicals in cosmetics to enhance consumer safety, according to the North Carolina State House.
The bill, filed as HB 686 on April 1 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Safe Cosmetics Act.’
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill, known as the Safe Cosmetics Act, aims to prohibit the distribution or sale of cosmetic products containing certain restricted substances as intentionally added chemicals, or as nonfunctional by-products or contaminants above a practical quantification limit. Restricted substances include perfluoroalkyl compounds, heavy metals, parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde releasers, benzophenones, known carcinogens, asbestos, and more. If the Board of Agriculture suspects a cosmetic product contains such substances, it may request a certificate of compliance from the manufacturer, who must respond within 30 days or face sales prohibition and provide a list of entities notified of this prohibition. This act becomes effective Jan. 1, 2026.
Of the four sponsors of this bill, Pricey Harrison proposed the most bills (35) during the 2025 regular session.
Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.
You can read more about the bills and other measures here.
Haefen graduated from Ohio University in 1992 with a BA and again in 1995 from Case Western Reserve University with a JD.
Haefen, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2019 to represent the state’s 36th House district, replacing previous state representative Nelson Dollar.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Julie von Haefen, Cynthia Ball, Mary Belk, and Pricey Harrison | HB 686 | 04/01/2025 | Safe Cosmetics Act. |
| Julie von Haefen, Brandon Lofton, Robert T. Reives, II, and Vernetta Alston | HB 645 | 04/01/2025 | Friendly NC Act. |
| Julie von Haefen, Beth Helfrich, Brandon Lofton, and Lindsey Prather | HB 651 | 04/01/2025 | Reduce Parent Copays/Child Care Subsidy/Funds. |
| Julie von Haefen, Marcia Morey, Pricey Harrison, and Tracy Clark | HB 622 | 03/31/2025 | Limit Excessive Mag Sizes. |
| Julie von Haefen, Amber M. Baker, Dante Pittman, and Terry M. Brown Jr. | HB 521 | 03/26/2025 | Healthy Families & Workplaces/Paid Sick Leave. |
| Julie von Haefen, Deb Butler, and Sarah Crawford | HB 522 | 03/26/2025 | Crisis Pregnancy Center Fraud Prevention Act. |
| Julie von Haefen, Cynthia Ball, Lindsey Prather, and Rodney D. Pierce | HB 531 | 03/26/2025 | Addressing NC’s Teacher Crisis/NTSP. |
| Julie von Haefen, Aisha O. Dew, Deb Butler, and Julia Greenfield | HB 509 | 03/25/2025 | Right to Reproductive Freedom Act. |
| Julie von Haefen, Allison A. Dahle, Gloristine Brown, and Mary Belk | HB 510 | 03/25/2025 | Menstrual Equity for All Act. |
| Julie von Haefen, Carla D. Cunningham, Lindsey Prather, and Renée A. Price | HB 500 | 03/24/2025 | NC Adopt ERA. |
| Julie von Haefen, Allen Buansi, Julia Greenfield, and Mike Colvin | HB 456 | 03/19/2025 | No Surprises for Ambulance Services Act. |
| Julie von Haefen, Amos L. Quick, III, Cynthia Ball, and Lindsey Prather | HB 445 | 03/18/2025 | Fairness & Transparency in Education Salaries. |
| Julie von Haefen, Cynthia Ball, Lindsey Prather, and Zack Hawkins | HB 420 | 03/17/2025 | Sound Basic Education for Every Child. |
| Julie von Haefen, Deb Butler, James Roberson, and Pricey Harrison | HB 423 | 03/17/2025 | Skip the Stuff Act. |
| Julie von Haefen, Carolyn G. Logan, Nasif Majeed, and Tracy Clark | HB 366 | 03/11/2025 | Reenact & Expand Pistol Purchase Permit. |
| Julie von Haefen, Abe Jones, Charles Smith, and Monika Johnson-Hostler | HB 367 | 03/11/2025 | Provide Rape Kit Status Updates to Victims. |
| Julie von Haefen, Kanika Brown, Pricey Harrison, and Zack Hawkins | HB 344 | 03/10/2025 | Litter Reduction Act of 2025. |
| Julie von Haefen, Garland E. Pierce, Rodney D. Pierce, and Sarah Crawford | HB 179 | 02/24/2025 | Labor Org. Membership Dues Tax Deductible. |
