California Green Cleaning Product Safety Checker
Evaluate whether a cleaning product meets California's green cleaning and safety standards based on VOC content, pH level, hazardous ingredient flags, and biodegradability score. References California Code of Regulations Title 17 (VOC limits), California Cleaning Product Right to Know Act (SB 258), and EPA Safer Choice criteria.
Determines applicable California VOC limit (CCR Title 17)
California VOC limit for selected product type will appear here.
Safe range for general use: pH 6–9. Extreme values (<2 or >12) indicate corrosive hazard.
Estimate based on OECD 301 ready biodegradability test. ≥60 = readily biodegradable (EPA Safer Choice standard).
Hold Ctrl/Cmd to select multiple. Certifications add bonus points to the safety score.
Scoring Formula
Total Score (0–100) = VOC Score + pH Score + Biodegradability Score + Ingredient Score + Certification Bonus
- VOC Score (0–30):
30 × max(0, 1 − VOC / VOC_Limit), minimum 10 if compliant. VOC_Limit per CCR Title 17: General Purpose/Bathroom/Floor = 72 g/L, Glass = 12 g/L, Laundry = 60 g/L, Dish = 30 g/L. - pH Score (0–20): 20 pts (pH 6–9), 14 pts (pH 5–6 or 9–10), 8 pts (pH 4–5 or 10–11), 3 pts (pH 2–4 or 11–12), 0 pts (pH <2 or >12).
- Biodegradability Score (0–25):
25 × (biodeg_score / 100). ≥60 meets EPA Safer Choice ready biodegradability threshold (OECD 301). - Ingredient Score (0–25): Starts at 25; deductions: undisclosed fragrance −8, phosphates −10, NPEOs −9, chlorine −6. Prop 65 carcinogen or reproductive toxicant = automatic disqualification.
- Certification Bonus (0–15): +5 per valid third-party certification, capped at +15.
Assumptions & References
- California Code of Regulations (CCR) Title 17, §94509: Sets VOC content limits for consumer cleaning products sold in California.
- California SB 258 — Cleaning Product Right to Know Act (2017): Requires disclosure of all intentionally added ingredients including fragrance chemicals on product labels and websites.
- California Proposition 65 (Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act): Prohibits knowing exposure to listed carcinogens and reproductive toxicants without clear warning; products containing such chemicals are disqualified.
- EPA Safer Choice Program: Requires ≥60% ready biodegradability (OECD 301), prohibits NPEOs, and mandates ingredient safety screening.
- Green Seal GS-37 / GS-53: Standards for industrial/institutional and consumer cleaning products covering VOCs, pH, biodegradability, and prohibited substances.
- California phosphate ban: Phosphates in laundry and automatic dishwasher detergents are restricted to ≤0.5% by weight under California law.
- NPEO restriction: Nonylphenol ethoxylates are restricted under California's Safer Consumer Products regulations due to aquatic toxicity and endocrine disruption potential.
- Biodegradability scores should be based on OECD 301 (ready biodegradability) or OECD 302 (inherent biodegradability) test results. Self-reported values are accepted for screening purposes only.
- This tool is for educational and screening purposes only. Official compliance determination requires laboratory testing and regulatory review.