U.S. EPA and many states and territories have adopted more stringent limits for Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) in consumer products. While newer limits have already taken effect in some states (or for certain product categories), the effective date for others is quickly approaching. New VOC limits for specific product categories in California and New York will become effective on January 1, 2023. In Ohio, new VOC limits for certain product categories will take effect on July 1, 2023.
In this article, SRC Senior Consultant, Jamie Venable, provides a breakdown of the upcoming compliance requirements in each state.
Please contact your SRC consultant for assistance reviewing your product formula to ensure compliance with the new limits before the deadlines.
The following tables include the current and upcoming VOC limits in California, New York, Ohio for respective product categories:
California:
A comprehensive breakdown of the changes made to California VOC regulations are provided in Jamie’s previous blog post, California Consumer Product VOC Regulation Amendments Have Been Finalized. Follow the link to view the previous post for the full list of changes to California’s Consumer Product Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) Regulations.
Product Category |
Current VOC Limit |
VOC Limit Effective 1/1/2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Air Freshener, Single Phase Aerosol | 30 | N/A; Product Category Retired |
| Air Freshener, Double Phase Aerosol | 20 | N/A; Product Category Retired |
| Air Freshener, Automatic Aerosol | N/A | 30 |
| Air Freshener, Manual | N/A | 10 |
| Air Freshener, Concentrated | N/A | 15 |
| Air Freshener, Total Release Aerosol | N/A | 25 |
| Dry Shampoo | N/A | 55 |
| Hair Finishing Spray | 55 | 50 |
| Personal Fragrance Product, Aerosol | N/A | 70 |
| Personal Fragrance Product, Non-aerosol, ≤7% fragrance | N/A | 70 |
| Personal Fragrance Product, Non-aerosol, >7% fragrance | N/A | 75 |
New York:
Product Category |
Current VOC Limit |
VOC Limit Effective 1/1/2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Disinfectant, Aerosol | N/A | 70 |
| Disinfectant, Non-aerosol | N/A | 1 |
| Sanitizer, Aerosol | N/A | 70 |
| Sanitizer, Non-aerosol | N/A | 1 |
Ohio:
Product Category |
Current VOC Limit |
VOC Limit Effective 7/1/2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Acoustical Sealant: Construction, Panel, or Floor Covering | 15 | 7 |
| Dual Purpose Air Freshener / Disinfectant, Aerosol | N/A | 60 |
| Anti-Static Product, Aerosol | N/A | 80 |
| Automotive Windshield Cleaner | N/A | 35 |
| Bathroom and Tile Cleaner, Non-aerosol | N/A | 1 |
| Bathroom and Tile Cleaner, All Other Forms (does not include aerosol form) | 5 | N/A |
| Brake Cleaner | 45 | 10 |
| Carburetor or Fuel Injection Air Intake Cleaner | 45 | 10 |
| Engine Degreaser, Aerosol | 35 | 10 |
| Floor Polish or Wax for Resilient / Flexible Flooring | 7 | 1 |
| Floor Polish or Wax for Non-resilient Flooring | 10 | 1 |
| Furniture Maintenance Products (except aerosol, solid, or paste forms) | 7 | 3 |
| General Purpose Cleaner, Aerosol | 10 | 8 |
| General Purpose Degreaser, Aerosol | 50 | 10 |
| Laundry Starch / Sizing / Fabric Finish Product | 5 | 4.5 |
| Multi-Purpose Solvent, Non-aerosol | N/A | 3 |
| Nail Polish Remover | 75 | 1 |
| Oven or Grill Cleaner, Non-aerosol | N/A | 4 |
| Paint Thinner, Non-aerosol | N/A | 3 |
| Shaving Gel | 7 | 4 |
| Temporary Hair Color, Aerosol | N/A | 55 |
| Toilet / Urinal Care Product, Aerosol | 10 | N/A |
| Toilet / Urinal Care Product, Non-aerosol | 3 | N/A |
LOOKING AHEAD…
Michigan and Colorado have issued a proposal to implement more stringent consumer VOC requirements, which will likely be adopted in 2023. Michigan has proposed to align with OTC Phase IV, while Colorado is proposing to align with OTC Phase V.
Effective 1/1/2024, four additional product categories will become regulated:
- Disinfectant, Aerosol: 70%
- Disinfectant, Non-aerosol: 1%
- Sanitizer, Aerosol: 70%
- Sanitizer, Non-aerosol: 1%
California will impose more restrictive VOC limits in the coming years for the following product categories:
- Air Freshener, Manual (1/1/2027): 5%
- Air Freshener, Concentrated Aerosol (1/1/2027): 10%
- Dry Shampoo (1/1/2029): 50%
- Hair Shine (1/1/2029): 50%
- Bed Bug Insecticide, Aerosol (1/1/2030): 15%
- Bed Bug Insecticide, All other forms (1/1/2030): 20%
- Crawling Bug Insecticide, Aerosol (1/1/2030): 8%
- Personal Fragrance Products, Aerosol (1/1/2031): 50%
- Personal Fragrance Products, Non-aerosol with ≤10% fragrance (1/1/2031): 50%
- Personal Fragrance Products, Non-aerosol with >10% fragrance (1/1/2031): 75%
- Temporary Hair Color (1/1/2029):
SRC has instituted these changes into our VOC ingredient spreadsheet for VOC content review. In addition to EPA, FDA, and State pesticide registration services, the SRC team has the expertise to assist you with VOC requirements related to your products. Please contact your SRC consultant for assistance with VOC compliance questions or for a full ingredient review of your product.
Jamie Venable
Senior Consultant
Posted: 12/19/2022