Ensuring Diaper Safety, Transparency, and Innovation: The Center for Baby and Adult Hygiene Products (BAHP)
March 20, 2026
The safety of diaper products is the top priority for BAHP and its member companies. Manufacturers conduct extensive testing, comply with applicable regulatory requirements, and work closely with oversight agencies to ensure diapers meet high standards for safety and quality. Diapers are regulated by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and must comply with federal children’s product safety requirements, as well as the specific regulations in several U.S. states that may be stricter or impose additional requirements. Parents and caregivers should feel confident in the safety of the diaper products they use every day.
Beyond compliance, BAHP member companies follow rigorous internal safety standards that often go above and beyond what regulations require. Guided by teams of scientists, medical professionals, and toxicologists, ingredients are carefully evaluated for safety, and products are thoroughly assessed and, where appropriate, tested to ensure they’re gentle and suitable even for the most sensitive skin.
We appreciate the work Consumer Reports does to inform and empower families as they make decisions about the diapers they choose, and we would like to provide additional context to support informed decision-making. Consumers deserve clear, accurate information about the materials used in absorbent hygiene products. BAHP encourages families to visit our ingredient glossary, which explains commonly used materials and the important roles they play in absorbency, comfort, skin health, and product performance.
Meaningful safety evaluation relies on exposure‑based risk assessment, a science‑based approach used by regulatory authorities worldwide. Because modern analytical tools can detect substances at extremely low levels, placing those findings in the context of realistic exposure is essential. Additional information on this approach is available through EDANA’s Stewardship Programme for Absorbent Hygiene Products (AHPs).
Today’s diapers reflect decades of design focused on dryness, skin protection, and efficient material use to support infant skin health. Superabsorbent polymers and modern pulp processes are central to today’s diaper design, helping to quickly absorb and lock away moisture to keep skin drier, maintain a more stable skin environment, and reduce the risk of irritation and diaper rash. These materials also play an important role in reducing leakage and protecting infant skin by keeping fluids away from prolonged contact with the skin. These materials enable improved performance while reducing overall material use, and manufacturers continue to evaluate new and naturally derived material options as part of ongoing innovation.
Environmental considerations related to diapers are complex and are best understood through a full life cycle perspective. Both disposable and reusable diapering systems have environmental impacts, but those impacts occur at different stages. Reusable diapers typically require repeated washing and drying, contributing to water and energy use, while disposable diapers primarily contribute to solid waste. Life cycle assessments consistently show that no single system is universally superior across all environmental indicators, and outcomes depend on factors such as consumer behavior, energy sources, and washing practices.
It is also important to accurately describe manufacturing processes referenced in discussions of diaper materials. Elemental chlorine-free (ECF) and totally chlorine-free (TCF) pulp bleaching processes were both developed to reduce environmental impacts compared with historical methods, and both are widely used today as environmentally responsible approaches. Presenting one as categorically superior may oversimplify the science and manufacturing considerations involved.
As highlighted in recent public reporting, consumers are seeing more products featuring alternative materials or reduced‑plastic designs. As the category evolves, BAHP supports ensuring that any material‑ or environmental‑related claims are grounded in clear, science‑based evidence so families can make informed choices.
Manufacturers are committed to complying with all applicable transparency and labeling requirements. For example, New York’s diaper ingredient labeling law requires disclosure of ingredients on product packaging, providing consumers with greater visibility into product composition while maintaining high standards for safety and quality.
Across the industry, manufacturers continue to pursue innovations that optimize material use, enhance transparency, and further improve product design. Consumer safety and infant well‑being remain at the center of these efforts, and BAHP supports ongoing research and clear, responsible communication to consumers as the category progresses.
About BAHP: BAHP serves as the unified voice for personal absorbent hygiene products industry in North America. We advocate for the personal absorbent hygiene products industry by promoting and supporting the safety, sustainability, and integrity of its products.
For more information, please contact BAHP at gia@bahp.com