The California Safer Consumer Products program strives to reduce toxic chemicals in consumer products.

It identifies products containing potentially harmful chemicals and asks manufacturers, brands or retailers to answer, “is it necessary to use this harmful chemical or is there a safer alternative?

The California Department Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) launched the program in October 2013 and has developed a process and set of regulations to address the question above.

The Process

• Identifies and prioritizes chemicals in consumer products
• Evaluates chemicals of concern and their potential alternatives

The regulations provide a four-step continuous, science-based process to identify safer consumer products. DTSC is responsible for managing these regulations and their journey has already begun.

The Four Regulations

Chemicals – A list of Candidate Chemicals (approximately 1,200) and a process to add additional chemicals has been established. The list is pulled from existing authoritative lists including the European Union Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals, (REACH) Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC)

Products – The identification of “Priority Products” based on Product/Candidate Chemical combinations. The first three priority products have been identified and a work plan for additional products is being finalized.

Alternatives Analysis– Responsible parties (manufacturers, brands and retailers) must notify DTSC when their product is listed as a Priority Product. They must identify and evaluate alternative chemicals that reduce the adverse impacts of the product with the chemical of concern. This assessment will be required only after the Priority Products are adopted in regulations.

Regulatory Responses – DTSC will require and implement regulatory responses designed to protect public health and/or the environment, and maximize the use of acceptable alternatives of least concern.

Impacts to your business

Questions to consider:

• Do you know what chemicals are in your products?
• How will you find out what Candidate Chemicals are in your products?
• Do you have a process to identify safer alternatives?

For help with any issue associated with chemicals, contact Amanda Cattermole at (415) 412 8406 or Amanda@cattermoleconsulting.com. We can help you develop powerful solutions to protect your company and brand reputation and result in safer products manufactured in cleaner supply chains.

Tips and Insights is published bi-monthly and contains information to help you make informed chemicals management decisions. Each post highlights a particular topic and includes questions you may want to consider