I 
119TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 4694 
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. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JULY 23, 2025 
Mr. LEVIN introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee 
on Energy and Commerce 
A BILL 
To require that all new washing machines sold or offered 
for sale in the United States contain a microfiber filtra-
tion system, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives 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 Ad-
ministrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. 
SEC. 3. MICROFIBER FILTRATION IN WASHING MACHINES. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
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(1) MICROFIBER
FILTRATION
SYSTEM.—The 
term ‘‘microfiber filtration system’’ means a filtra-
tion 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 ma-
chine’’ 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 
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(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 effi-
cacy in reducing microfiber pollution as com-
pared 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 En-
ergy, in a rulemaking under subsection (c). 
(3) Such other requirements or standards as 
the Administrator, jointly with the Secretary of En-
ergy, may require through a rulemaking under sub-
section (c). 
(c) RULEMAKING.—The Administrator, jointly with 
the Secretary of Energy, may promulgate regulations to 
carry out this section. 
(d) CIVIL PENALTIES.— 
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(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 viola-
tion, $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 im-
pairs 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 con-
sultation with the heads of other Federal depart-
ments and agencies as the Administrator determines 
to be necessary, shall carry out a nationwide study 
on— 
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(A) the presence of, sources of, and path-
ways 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 environ-
ment; 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 Adminis-
trator. 
(2) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
shall submit to Congress, and make publicly avail-
able, a report that describes the results of the study 
under paragraph (1). 
Æ 
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