Right now, it seems like every diaper brand's talking about ingredients. HealthyBaby's been transparent about what's in Our Diapers (and what's not) from the very beginning. We started by changing diapers, now we're helping to change the entire diaper industry.

From prenatal vitamins to diapers, certain industries within babycare are shockingly unregulated. HealthyBaby and the EWG partnered to change this, creating the EWG VERIFIED® disposable diaper category in 2020.

Food, cosmetics, and OTC drug manufacturers are federally required to disclose ingredients. Diapers have never had this level of consumer product regulation. Instead, ingredient disclosure was at the discretion of diaper manufacturers.

As a brand, HealthyBaby led by example and innovation, setting a higher standard for diaper safety and transparency with rigorous testing and full ingredient disclosure. We proved it could be done, then lobbied in the hall of powers to explain why it should be required.

Now our advocacy's paying off and influencing legislation, one state at a time. Keep reading to learn more about diaper ingredient transparency laws and check back for updates as we continue making progress.

Why does diaper ingredient safety matter?

Babies wear diapers nearly 24/7 in their first three years, the most critical window of development. Baby's skin is thinner and more permeable than yours, so it's more vulnerable to chemical exposure and prone to irritation and allergies. Baby's skin microbiome is a critical part of their developing immune system.

All disposable diapers contain plastic and most look pretty similar, but ingredients and materials vary widely. Many conventional diapers contain parabens, phthalates, PFAS, and other common chemicals linked to potential health harm. This can range from developmental delays to chronic conditions, including certain cancers. 

You might also like: Why Safe Diapers Matter More Than Ever

What are diaper ingredient transparency laws?

Diaper ingredient transparency laws vary by state and generally require diaper manufacturers to print or affix a clear list of intentionally added ingredients on packaging.

Typically this is done is descending order of predominance by weight, like food ingredient labeling, so the ingredients that occur in the greatest amount are listed at the top.

What U.S. states have diaper ingredient transparency laws?

Last updated: July 13, 2026

New York became the first state to pass a diaper labeling law (Senate Bill S2279C/Assembly Bill A43C). The Diaper Disclosure Act went into effect in December 2025 and applies to both children's and adult diapers.

Illinois signed the Diaper Labeling Act (House Bill 4702) into law in June 2026. It will go into effect in January 2027 and applies to both disposable and reusable children's and adult diapers.

In 2026, HealthyBaby testified in support of California Assembly Bill 1901, which would require children's diaper manufacturers to fully disclose ingredients on packaging and online. It's expected to be signed into law in the coming months.

Although diaper ingredient transparency laws only apply to diapers sold within that state, most diaper manufacturers standardize labeling nationwide. In terms of information, one state's victory can benefits parents across the country.

Are diaper ingredient transparency laws the same as ingredient safety laws?

Diaper ingredient transparency laws only require manufacturers to disclose intentionally added ingredients. Trace contaminants and unintended byproducts and impurities don't have to be listed. 

Diaper ingredient transparency don't place any restrictions on specific chemicals or require third-party safety testing or certification.