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EPA Expands List of Safer Chemical Ingredients

Release Date: 07/24/2013
Contact Information: Molly Hooven, [email protected], 202-564-2313, 202-564-4355; En español: Lina Younes [email protected], 202-564-9924, 202-564-4355

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) today added more than 130 chemicals to its Safer Chemical Ingredients List. For the first time, 119 fragrance chemicals for commercial and consumer cleaning products have been added to the list.

“Fragrances are an important yet complex part of many consumer cleaning products. By adding fragrance and other chemicals to the Safer Chemical Ingredients List, EPA continues its commitment to help companies make safer products and provide the public with greater access to chemical information,” said James Jones, acting assistant administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention.

The Safer Chemical Ingredients List, which now contains 602 chemicals, serves as a resource for manufacturers interested in making safer products; health and environmental advocates seeking to encourage the use of safer chemicals; and consumers seeking information on the ingredients in safer chemical products.

It also serves as a guide for Design for the Environment (DfE) labeled products, which must meet EPA’s rigorous, scientific standards for protecting human health and the environment.

More than 2,500 products are certified under the DfE Standard for Safer Products including all-purpose cleaners, laundry and dishwasher detergents, window cleaners, car and boat care, and many other products. Using DfE-certified products significantly reduces exposures to chemicals which helps protect families and the environment.

The Safer Chemical Ingredients list was created in September 2012 and EPA continues to update the list with additional fragrances and chemicals.

More on the Safer Chemical Ingredients List: https://www.epa.gov/dfe/saferingredients.htm