Safer Consumer Products

We are working toward safer California households, workplaces, and products.

Authoritative Lists

The Candidate Chemicals identified in the Safer Consumer Products Regulations (California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Division 4.5, Chapter 55, Section 69502.2) were developed using 23 authoritative lists. The authoritative lists fall into two categories: lists based on hazard traits (15 lists), and lists based on potential exposure concerns (8 lists).

If you would like to view all the Candidate Chemicals associated with a specific authoritative list, please visit the CalSAFER Candidate Chemicals search page. Once on this webpage, use the “Advanced Search” filters to select the authoritative list of interest and then click “Update Results.” It is also possible to conduct a similar search including more than one authoritative list, as well as “Search Chemicals Unique to this Authoritative List”, using the Advanced Search filters. 

Please refer to CalSAFER for the current informational list.

Hazard Trait-Based Lists

Proposition 65 (Prop 65)

Chemicals known to cause cancer and/or reproductive toxicity that are listed under Health and Safety Code section 25249.8 of the California Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 (22 CCR 69502.2(a)(1)(A)).

California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) publishes and updates the Prop 65 list. Officially known as the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, Prop 65 protects the state’s drinking water sources from being contaminated with chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm, and requires businesses to inform Californians about exposures to such chemicals.

To view the source list used by DTSC, refer to OEHHA’s Prop 65 webpage.

European Community Annex VI Respiratory Sensitizers Category 1 (EC Annex VI Resp. Sens.)

Chemicals classified by the European Union as respiratory sensitizers Category 1 in Annex VI to Regulation (EC) 1272/2008 (22 CCR 69502.2(a)(1)(I)).

Annex VI is maintained by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), an international authoritative organization working with the European Commission and the European Union (EU) Member States for the safety of human health and the environment by identifying the needs for regulatory risk management at the EU-wide level. Annex VI includes lists of harmonized classification and labeling (C&L) information for certain substances or groups of substances that is legally binding in the EU. The listed categories are identified as meeting the following criteria:

  • Respiratory sensitiser – A substance that will lead to hypersensitivity of the airways following inhalation of the substance.
    • Category 1
      • (a) if there is evidence in humans that the substance can lead to specific respiratory hypersensitivity or
      • (b) if there are positive results from an appropriate animal test.

To view the source list used by DTSC, refer to ECHA’s C&L Inventory Database for harmonized substances, and select the “health hazards” identified above. DTSC monitors revisions to the list as published in Adaptations to Technical Progress (ATP) to the CLP regulation.

European Community Annex VI Carcinogens, Mutagens, and Reproductive Toxicants (EC Annex VI CMRs)

Chemicals classified by the European Union as carcinogens, mutagens, and/or reproductive toxicants Category 1A and 1B in Annex VI to Regulation (EC) 1272/2008 (22 CCR 69502.2(a)(1)(B)).

Annex VI is maintained by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), an international authoritative organization working with the European Commission and the European Union (EU) Member States for the safety of human health and the environment by identifying the needs for regulatory risk management at the EU-wide level. Annex VI includes lists of harmonized classification and labeling (C&L) information for certain substances or groups of substances that is legally binding in the EU. The listed categories are identified as meeting the following criteria:

  • Carcinogens – Substance or a mixture of substances that induces cancer or increases its incidence
    • 1A: Substances known to have carcinogenic potential for human
    • 1B: Substances presumed to have carcinogenic potential for humans
  • Mutagens – May cause genetic defects
    • 1A: Substances known to induce heritable mutations in the germ cells of humans
    • 1B: Substances to be regarded as if they induce heritable mutations in the germ cells of humans
  • Reproductive toxicants – May cause adverse effects on sexual function and fertility or adverse effects on development of the offspring
    • 1A: Known human reproductive toxicant
    • 1B: Presumed human reproductive toxicant

To view the source list used by DTSC, refer to ECHA’s C&L Inventory Database’s Advanced Search page and under “Regulatory Context” select “CLP” and then “Harmonised C&L” to limit the search to only substances with harmonized classification and labeling. The list can then be filtered for each of the six “Properties of Concern” identified above. DTSC monitors revisions to the list as published in Adaptations to Technical Progress (ATP) to the CLP regulation.

European Community Persistent, Bioaccumulative, and Toxic Substances (EC PBTs)

Chemicals included in the European Union candidate list of Substances of Very High Concern in accordance with Article 59 of Regulation (EC) 1907/2006 on the basis of Article 57(d), Article 57(e), or Article 57(f) for persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic, or very persistent and very bioaccumulative properties (22 CCR 69502.2(a)(1)(G)).

As part of implementing its Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulations, the European Commission initiated a strategy to identify and address Substances of Very High Concern, which include chemicals with the following hazard traits:

  • Substances meeting the criteria for classification as carcinogenic, mutagenic, or toxic for reproduction category 1A or 1B in accordance with Commission Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CMR substances);
  • Substances which are persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) or very persistent and very bioaccumulative (vPvB) according to REACH (Annex XIII); or
  • Substances identified on a case-by-case basis, for which there is scientific evidence of probable serious effects that cause an equivalent level of concern as with CMR or PBT/vPvB substances, such as those that have endocrine disrupting properties.

The source list used by DTSC is the union of the lists obtained through the European Chemical Agency’s Candidate List Table of Substances of Very High Concern, filtered by the “PBT (Article 57d)” and “vPvB (Article 57e)” reasons for inclusion.

European Community Endocrine Disruptors (EC EDs)

Chemicals included in the European Union candidate list of Substances of Very High Concern in accordance with Article 59 of Regulation (EC) 1907/2006 on the basis of Article 57(f) for endocrine disrupting properties (22 CCR 69502.2(a)(1)(C)).

As part of implementing its Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulations, the European Commission initiated a strategy to identify and address Substances of Very High Concern, which include chemicals with the following hazard traits:

  • Substances meeting the criteria for classification as carcinogenic, mutagenic, or toxic for reproduction category 1A or 1B in accordance with Commission Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CMR substances);
  • Substances which are persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) or very persistent and very bioaccumulative (vPvB) according to REACH (Annex XIII); or
  • Substances identified on a case-by-case basis, for which there is scientific evidence of probable serious effects that cause an equivalent level of concern as with CMR or PBT/vPvB substances, such as those that have endocrine disrupting properties.

To view the source list used by DTSC, refer to the European Chemical Agency’s Candidate List Table of Substances of Very High Concern and filter the list for “endocrine disrupting properties (Article 57(f)) – environment” and “endocrine disrupting properties (Article 57(f)) – human health.”

Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) Neurotoxicants

Chemicals for which a reference dose or reference concentration has been developed based on neurotoxicity in the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s Integrated Risk Information System (22 CCR 69502.2(a)(1)(D)).

The Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) is a human health assessment program that evaluates quantitative and qualitative information about effects from exposure to environmental contaminants. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s IRIS database is a compilation of electronic reports on specific substances found in the environment and their potential to cause human health effects.

To view the source list used by DTSC, refer to the Advanced Search function of the IRIS database and refine the search by selecting “Noncancer” and “Organ/System Affected: Nervous.”

Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) Carcinogens

Chemicals that are identified as “carcinogenic to humans,” “likely to be carcinogenic to humans,” or Group A, B1, or B2 carcinogens in the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s Integrated Risk Information System (22 CCR 69502.2(a)(1)(E)).

IRIS is a human health assessment program that evaluates quantitative and qualitative information about effects from exposure to environmental contaminants. The U.S. EPA’s IRIS database is a compilation of electronic reports on specific substances found in the environment and their potential to cause human health effects.

To view the source list used by DTSC, refer to the Advanced Search function of the IRIS database and refine the search by selecting “cancer” under the “Noncancer and/or Cancer” filter.

Canada Persistent, Bioaccumulative, and Inherently Toxic to the Environment (PBiT)

Chemicals that are identified as Persistent, Bioaccumulative, and Inherently Toxic to the environment by the Canadian Environmental Protection Act Environmental Registry Domestic Substances List (22 CCR 69502.2(a)(1)(H)).

Using information from Canadian industry, academic research, and other countries, Government of Canada scientists from the Existing Substances Program at Health Canada and Environment Canada worked with partners in applying a set of rigorous tools to each of the approximately 23,000 chemicals on the Domestic Substances List. The chemicals identified as “PBiT” are persistent, bioaccumulative, and inherently toxic to non-human organisms.

To view the source list used by DTSC, refer to Environment Canada’s Domestic Substances Lists webpage and filter criteria to chemicals identified as persistent, bioaccumulative, and inherently toxic to non-human organisms.

International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Carcinogens

Groups 1, 2A, and 2B carcinogens identified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (22 CCR 69502.2(a)(1)(J)).

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) is the specialized cancer agency of the World Health Organization. The objective of IARC is to promote international collaboration in cancer research, develop criteria to evaluate carcinogenic risks to humans, and publish monographs describing these evaluations. It also maintains a summary list of agents classified by IARC monographs but recommends consulting the monograph itself for full interpretation of the classification. IARC assigns substances (agents) to one of the following four groups:

DTSC includes chemicals in IARC Groups 1, 2A, and 2B on the Candidate Chemicals List.

To view the source list used by DTSC, refer to IARC’s webpage and filter for Groups 1, 2A, and 2B.

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) Neurotoxicants

Neurotoxicants that are identified in the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry’s Toxic Substances Portal, Health Effects of Toxic Substances and Carcinogens, Nervous System (22 CCR 69502.2(a)(1)(K)).

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) is a federal public health agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that conducts research and provides health information to prevent harmful exposures and diseases related to toxic substances. ATSDR produces “Toxicological Profiles” for hazardous substances, which consist of a peer-reviewed comprehensive and extensive evaluation, summary, and interpretation of available toxicological and epidemiological information on a substance. Health effects of exposure to substances identified by ATSDR are grouped by the organ systems they affect. For DTSC, the organ system of interest is the Nervous System (neurological effects).

To view the source list used by DTSC, refer to the ATSDR webpage list of neurotoxicants.

U.S. EPA National Waste Minimization Program PBTs (U.S. EPA NWMP PBTs)

Persistent Bioaccumulative and Toxic Priority Chemicals that are identified by the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s National Waste Minimization Program (22 CCR 69502.2(a)(1)(L)).

U.S. EPA established the National Waste Minimization Program (NWMP), which supports efforts to promote a more sustainable society, reduce the amounts of waste generated, and lower the toxicity and persistence of wastes that are generated. The NWMP established a list of Priority Chemicals that were determined to be persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic.

To view the source list used by DTSC, refer to U.S. EPA’s Archived Waste Minimization Program’s webpage (last updated 02/22/2016).

National Toxicology Program, Office of Health Assessment and Translation – Human Reproductive and Developmental Toxicants (NTP OHAT – Repr. or Dev. Toxicants)

Reproductive or developmental toxicants identified in Monographs on the Potential Human Reproductive and Developmental Effects, National Toxicology Program, Office of Health Assessment and Translation (22 CCR 69502.2(a)(1)(M)).

The National Toxicology Program (NTP) is an interagency program managed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services whose mission is to evaluate agents of public health concern by developing and applying tools of modern toxicology and molecular biology. The NTP Office of Health Assessment and Translation (OHAT) conducts technical assessments focused on understanding the potential for adverse effects of substances on human health. Assessments of potential adverse effects of environmental substances on reproduction or development are published as NTP Monographs.

To view the source list used by DTSC, refer to OHAT’s webpage and view the “Completed Reports.”

U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory PBTs (U.S. EPA TRI PBTs)

United States Environmental Protection Agency’s Toxics Release Inventory Persistent, Bioaccumulative and Toxic Chemicals that are subject to reporting under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act section 313 (22 CCR 69502.2(a)(1)(N)).

U.S. EPA maintains the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) database. TRI tracks the management of certain toxic chemicals that may pose a threat to human health and the environment. U.S. facilities in different industry sectors must report annually how much of each chemical is released to the environment or managed through recycling, energy recovery, and treatment. A “release” of a chemical means that it is emitted to the air or water or placed in some type of land disposal. This information provides communities with information about toxic chemical releases and waste management activities and supports informed decision-making by industry, government, non-governmental organizations, and the public. For more information on how PBTs are identified under EPCRA, please refer to 40 CFR Part 372.

To view the source list used by DTSC, refer to U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) Database.

Washington (WA) PBTs

Washington Department of Ecology’s Persistent, Bioaccumulative, Toxic (PBT) Chemicals identified in the Washington Administrative Code, title 173, chapter 173-333 (22 CCR 69502.2(a)(1)(O)).

Washington’s PBT initiative aims to reduce and phase-out the use, release, and exposure to PBTs in Washington in order to reduce and eliminate threats to human health and the environment. The PBT List is published online, and the Department of Ecology is creating a Chemical Action Plan for each substance currently on the list to reduce or eliminate the use of these chemicals.

To view the source list used by DTSC, refer to Washington Department of Ecology’s webpage.

National Toxicology Program 13th Report on Carcinogens (NTP 13th RoC)

Updates and revisions to this list do not affect DTSC’s Candidate Chemicals list unless DTSC adopts regulations to incorporate them.

Chemicals that are identified as “known to be” or “reasonably anticipated to be” a human carcinogen in the 13th Report on Carcinogens, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, National Toxicology Program (22 CCR 69502.2(a)(1)(F)).

The Report on Carcinogens (RoC) is a congressionally mandated, science-based, public health report that identifies agents, substances, mixtures, or exposures in our environment that are “known” or “reasonably anticipated” to cause cancer in humans. For every substance listed, the RoC contains a profile including cancer studies (mechanism, human, animal), potential sources of exposure, and current Federal regulations to limit exposures.

To view the source list used by DTSC, refer to this copy of the NTP 13th ROC. You may also refer to NTP’s webpage and request a copy of this report.

Exposure Indicator Lists

Unless otherwise noted, new chemicals added to these source lists automatically become Candidate Chemicals.

California Notification Levels (CA NLs)

Chemicals for which Notification Levels, as defined in Health and Safety Code section 116455, have been established by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) (22 CCR 69502.2(a)(2)(A)).

Notification Levels (NLs) are health-based advisory levels for chemicals in California drinking water, established by the Division of Drinking Water (DDW), for which there are no formal regulatory standards (i.e., Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs)).

To view the source list used by DTSC, refer to California State Water Resources Control Board’s webpage.

California Maximum Contaminant Levels (CA MCLs)

Chemicals for which primary Maximum Contaminant Levels have been established and adopted under sections 64431 or 64444 of chapter 15 of Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations (22 CCR 69502.2(a)(2)(B)).

Pursuant to Health and Safety Code §116365(a) and §116271, the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) establishes MCLs as health protective drinking water standards to be met by California public water systems. MCLs must be reviewed every five years and take into account not only a chemical’s health risks but also factors such as detectability, treatability, and treatment costs.

To view the source list used by DTSC, refer to SWRCB’s Chemicals and Contaminants in Drinking Water webpage.

California Toxic Air Contaminants (CA TACs)

Chemicals identified as Toxic Air Contaminants under sections 93000 and 93001 of Title 17 of the California Code of Regulations (22 CCR 69502.2(a)(2)(C)).

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) regulates Toxic Air Contaminants (TACs), defined as “air pollutants which may cause or contribute to an increase in mortality or an increase in serious illness or may pose a present or potential hazard to human health.” In addition to the list of TACs developed in collaboration with the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA), CARB has also designated chemicals identified as hazardous air pollutants under the federal Clean Air Act (pursuant to subsection (b) of Section 112 of 42 U.S.C. Sec. 7412(b)) as TACs.

To view the source list used by DTSC, refer to CARB’s TAC webpage. DTSC used the U.S. EPA’s Health Effects Notebook for Hazardous Air Pollutants page to identify hazard traits associated with this authoritative list.

California Water Body Pollutants – 303(c) and (d)

Chemicals that are identified as priority pollutants in the California Water Quality Control Plans under section 303(c) of the federal Clean Water Act and in section 131.38 of Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations, or identified as pollutants by California or the United States Environmental Protection Agency for one or more water bodies in California under section 303(d) of the federal Clean Water Act and section 130.7 of title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations (22 CCR 69502.2(a)(2)(D)).

California Water Quality Control Plans are adopted under section 303(c) of the federal Clean Water Act and section 131.38 of Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations to preserve water resources and prevent and control pollution to California waters. Section 303(c) requires states to develop water quality standards and review and update those standards every three years. Water quality standards must include designated uses of water bodies and water quality criteria that are necessary to protect those uses.

Pursuant to section 303(d) of the federal Clean Water Act, the California State Water Resources Control Board has developed a list of water bodies in California that do not meet applicable water quality standards after the application of certain controls. The 303(d) list identifies the pollutant or pollutants that cause the listed water bodies not to meet these standards. Chemical pollutants with a hazard trait that are identified for one or more water bodies on the 303 (d) list are Candidate Chemicals.

To view the source list used by DTSC, refer to current 303(d) Excel export posted on the State Water Resources Control Board Impaired Waters List webpage. The 303(c) list is found in the appropriate section of the Clean Water Act, which can be accessed via the electronic Code of Federal Register webpage and navigating to Title 40, Chapter I, Subchapter D, Part 131.38: “Establishment of numeric criteria for priority toxic pollutants for the State of California”.

OEHHA Reference Exposure Levels (OEHHA RELs)

Chemicals that are identified with non-cancer endpoints and listed with an inhalation or oral Reference Exposure Level by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment under Health and Safety Code section 44360(b)(2) (22 CCR 69502.2(a)(2)(E)).

OEHHA is responsible for conducting health risk assessments of chemical contaminants under the Air Toxics Hot Spots Program and developing Reference Exposure Levels (RELs) for a variety of non-cancer health impacts. These non-cancer risk assessments (derivation of acute, 8-hour, and chronic RELs), derivation of cancer potency factors, and exposure assessment methodology (including stochastic risk assessments) underwent public and peer review and were approved by the State’s Scientific Review Panel on Toxic Air Contaminants. These data are required to be used in risk assessments for stationary sources for airborne emissions and are the basis for regulatory action.

To view the source list used by DTSC, refer to the REL Summary table on OEHHA’s REL webpage.

California Environmental Contaminant Biomonitoring Program (CECBP) – Priority Chemicals

Priority Chemicals that are identified under the California Environmental Contaminant Biomonitoring Program (22 CCR 69502.2(a)(2)(F)).

The California Biomonitoring Program is a multi-agency program involving California Department of Public Health, OEHHA, and DTSC to monitor priority chemicals identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and recommended by their Scientific Guidance Panel. The program collects blood, urine, and other biological specimens from California residents and analyzes them to determine the prevalence and levels of these priority chemicals or their metabolites. The goal of the Program is to establish the trends of the levels of these chemicals and to assess the effectiveness of public health efforts.

To view the source list used by DTSC, refer to the California Biomonitoring Program webpage.

OSPAR Priority Action Part A

Chemicals that are identified on Part A of the list of Chemicals for Priority Action, Oslo and Paris Conventions for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic (22 CCR 69502.2(a)(2)(H)).

The OSPAR Convention (“OS” for Oslo and “PAR” for Paris) is the current legal instrument guiding international cooperation on the protection of the marine environment of the North-East Atlantic. In 2002, the OSPAR Convention adopted the OSPAR List to protect the marine environment by indicating the substances on the OSPAR list, providing a background document to assess the uses and risks for the substances, and to conclude what actions OSPAR should take to move towards the cessation target.

To view the source list used by DTSC, refer to OSPAR’s webpage.

CDC 4th National Exposure Report

Updates and revisions to this list do not affect DTSC’s Candidate Chemical list unless DTSC adopts regulations to incorporate them

Chemicals that are identified on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Fourth National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals and Updated Tables (22 CCR 69502.2(a)(2)(G)).

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and produces the National Exposure Report as a series of ongoing assessments of the U.S. population’s exposure to environmental chemicals. Scientists measure chemicals or their metabolites in blood and urine samples obtained from random sample participants in CDC’s National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The Fourth National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals was revised to include new and updated tables, reflecting data from the 2005-2006, 2007-2008, 2009-2010 survey periods, and data for a few chemicals from the 2003-2004 survey period.

To view the source list used by DTSC, refer to the CDC 4th National Exposure Report webpage and scroll down to select the “Chemicals in the Fourth Report and Updated Tables” PDF listed under the “Additional Information” heading.

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