EPA Updates Safer Chemical Ingredients List: Enhancements for Safer Chemistry in the United States

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has updated its Safer Chemical Ingredients List (SCIL) to promote transparency and support the search for safer chemical alternatives. This update includes the addition of 27 new chemicals, such as colorants, preservatives, processing aids, additives, polymers, solvents, and surfactants. Additionally, 23 existing listings have been updated, with one chemical marked for removal after 12 months. The update also relocates fragrances from the SCIL to a new comprehensive Safer Choice Fragrances Palette, enhancing clarity for product manufacturers while maintaining existing safety criteria for fragrance use in Safer Choice-certified products.

With this update, the SCIL now features a total of 957 chemicals deemed safe for their intended uses. Notable additions include propyl acetate, methyl ethyl ketone, and ethyl lactate, among others. The program aims to help manufacturers find suitable chemicals for Safer Choice certification, promoting innovation in safer chemistry. The EPA has also updated the status of several chemicals to better reflect their safety profiles, indicating its ongoing commitment to advancing safer chemical alternatives.