Antiperspirants and Deodorants Regulation
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This website does not supplant, replace or amend any of the legal requirements of the Consumer Products Regulations. Conversely, this website’s omission or truncation of regulatory requirements does not relieve responsible parties of their legal obligation to fully comply with all requirements of the regulation.
Article 1: Regulation for Reducing Volatile Organic Compound Emissions from Antiperspirants and Deodorants (Antiperspirants and Deodorants Regulation)
Link to Article 1
Who is applicable to the Antiperspirants and Deodorants Regulation?
“Except as provided in Section 94503, this article shall apply to any person who sells, supplies, offers for sale, or manufactures antiperspirants or deodorants for use in the state of California.”
California Code Regulations, title 17, section 94500 Applicability
(Cal. Code Regs., tit.17, § 94500)
What is an Antiperspirant?
“’Antiperspirant’ means any product including, but not limited to, aerosols, roll-ons, sticks, pumps, pads, creams, and squeeze-bottles, that is intended by the manufacturer to be used to reduce perspiration in the human axilla by at least 20 percent in at least 50 percent of a target population.”
Ref: Cal. Code Regs., tit.17, § 94501(b) Antiperspirant
What is a Deodorant?
“’Deodorant’ means:
(1) for products manufactured before January 1, 2006: any product including, but not limited to, aerosols, roll-ons, sticks, pumps, pads, creams, and squeeze-bottles, that is intended by the manufacturer to be used to minimize odor in the human axilla by retarding the growth of bacteria which cause the decomposition of perspiration.
(2) for products manufactured on or after January 1, 2006: any product including, but not limited to, aerosol, roll-ons, sticks, pumps, pads, creams, and squeeze-bottles, that indicates or depicts on the container or packaging, or on any sticker or label affixed thereto, that the product can be used on or applied to the human axilla to provide a scent and/or minimize odor.”
Ref: Cal. Code Regs., tit.17, § 94501(d) Deodorant
What are volatile organic compounds (VOCs)?
“’Volatile Organic compound (VOC)’ means any compound containing at least one atom of carbon…” Additional information regarding the definition of a VOC can be found in Cal. Code Regs., tit.17, § 94501(m).
Ref: Cal. Code Regs., tit.17, § 94501(m) Volatile Organic Compound (VOC)
What are high volatility organic compounds (HVOCs)?
“’High Volatility Organic Compound (HVOC)’ means any organic compound that exerts a vapor pressure greater than 80 millimeters of Mercury (mm Hg) when measured at 20°C.”
Ref: Cal. Code Regs., tit.17, § 94501(g) High Volatility Organic Compound (HVOC)
What are medium volatility organic compounds (MVOCs)?
“’Medium Volatility Organic Compound (MVOC)’ means any organic compound that exerts a vapor pressure greater than 2 mm Hg and less than or equal to 80 mm Hg when measured at 20°C.”
Ref: Cal. Code Regs., tit.17, § 94501(i) Medium Volatility Organic Compound (MVOC)
Are antiperspirant and deodorants regulated for VOC content?
Yes, antiperspirants/deodorants have standards set for Medium Volatility Organic Compound (MVOC) and High Volatility Organic Compound (HVOC) content. Specific information regarding the limit can be found in Cal. Code. Regs., tit. 17, § 94502.
Are antiperspirants and deodorants subject to product dating requirements?
Yes, “manufacturers of an antiperspirant or deodorant subject to Article 1 shall clearly display on each container of antiperspirant or deodorant, the date on which the product was manufactured.” Additional information regarding product dating requirements can be found in Product Dating Requirements page.
Ref: Cal. Code Regs., tit.17, § 94504(a) Labeling