USA – California · Chemicals · Consumer Products

California’s Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) has added microplastics to the Safer Consumer Products (SCP) Candidate Chemicals List, effective July 1, 2026. The listing represents the first regulatory step toward potentially designating products containing microplastics as Priority Products that could become subject to alternatives analysis and future restrictions.

Substance & Regulatory Scope

Candidate Chemical
Microplastics
Solid plastic particles smaller than 5 mm, regardless of polymer type, are now listed as Candidate Chemicals under California’s SCP program.

Potential Future Scope
Priority Products
Automotive plastic components, coatings, interior trim, and synthetic textiles could become future Priority Products subject to alternatives analysis.

This is a new Candidate Chemical listing; no microplastics-specific listing previously existed under California’s Safer Consumer Products Candidate Chemicals List. The action does not introduce immediate restrictions but enables future DTSC rulemaking.

Key Dates & Compliance Timeline

  • Official publication: July 1, 2026
  • Effective date: July 1, 2026
  • Public comment period: Not applicable for this listing action
  • Compliance deadline: None currently; monitor for future Priority Product designation

Key Regulatory Changes

  • Microplastics added to the SCP Candidate Chemicals List
  • Enables future Priority Product rulemaking
  • May trigger alternatives analysis requirements in the future
  • No prohibitions or restrictions currently in force

Who Is Affected

  • Automotive OEMs and suppliers
  • Manufacturers of plastic vehicle components
  • Coatings manufacturers
  • Suppliers of synthetic interior textiles and trim
  • Companies marketing affected products in California

What Companies Should Do Now

  • Monitor DTSC’s Priority Product rulemaking process
  • Inventory products and components containing microplastics
  • Evaluate coatings, plastics, and synthetic textiles used in vehicles sold in California
  • Prepare supporting product composition data for future regulatory reviews
  • Track future DTSC announcements regarding alternatives analysis requirements
Key Takeaway

This medium-priority update establishes microplastics as a Candidate Chemical under California’s Safer Consumer Products program, laying the groundwork for future product-specific regulation. Automotive OEMs, suppliers, and manufacturers should begin identifying products containing microplastics and monitor DTSC’s Priority Product rulemaking process for potential future compliance obligations.

Reference:
California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) – Microplastics Candidate Chemical List

 

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