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Safer Chemical Ingredients for Use in DfE-Labeled Products
The Safer Chemical Ingredients List contains chemicals that meet the criteria of the Design for the Environment (DfE) Safer Product Labeling Program. This voluntary program recognizes products that are high-performance and cost-effective using the safest chemical ingredients. At present, more than 2,800 products carry the DfE Safer Product Label. This list of safer chemical ingredients is arranged by functional-use class and will assist product manufacturers in identifying chemicals that the DfE program has already evaluated and identified as safer.
DfE's Safer Chemical Ingredients List
Safer Chemical Ingredients for Use in DfE-Labeled Products
- The listed chemicals are safer alternatives, grouped by their functional-use class.†
- Chemicals are marked as a green circle
, a green half-circle 
, or a yellow triangle 
.* - This list includes many of the chemicals evaluated through the DfE Safer Product Labeling Program. It does not include confidential chemicals and does not yet include fragrance chemicals. There may be chemicals not included in this list that are also safer.
Chelating Agents
| Evaluated chemicals that meet Criteria for Chelating and Sequestering Agents | |
| Common Name | CAS Registry Number |
|---|---|
| 2-Butenedioic acid (2Z)-, ammonium salt (1:?), homopolymer, hydrolyzed, sodium salts | 181828-06-8 |
| Alanine, N,N-bis(carboxymethyl)-, sodium salt (1:3) | 164462-16-2 |
| Aspartic acid, N-(1,2-dicarboxyethyl)-, tetrasodium salt | 144538-83-0 |
| Citric acid, anhydrous | 77-92-9 |
| D-Gluconic acid | 526-95-4 |
| Dipotassium hydrogen citrate | 3609-96-9 |
| L-Lactic acid | 79-33-4 |
| Monosodium D-glucoheptonate | 31138-65-5 |
| Potassium citrate, anhydrous | 866-84-2 |
| Potassium citrate, monohydrate | 6100-05-6 |
| Sodium citrate, anhydrous | 68-04-2 |
| Sodium citrate, dihydrate | 6132-04-3 |
| Sodium gluconate | 527-07-1 |
| Tetrasodium N,N-bis(carboxylatomethyl)-L-glutamate | 51981-21-6 |
Colorants
| Evaluated chemicals that meet DfE's Criteria for Colorants, Polymers, Preservatives, and Related Chemicals (PDF) (3 pp, 90K, About PDF) | |
| Common Name | CAS Registry Number |
|---|---|
| 2-Anthracenesulfonic acid, 1-amino-9,10-dihydro-4-[(4-methoxyphenyl)amino]-9,10-dioxo-, sodium salt (1:1) | 63589-10-6 |
| C.I. 75810 | 11006-34-1 |
| C.I. Acid Blue 145 | 6408-80-6 |
| C.I. Acid Blue 25 | 6408-78-2 |
| C.I. Acid Blue 80 | 4474-24-2 |
| C.I. Acid Blue 87 | 1330-38-7 |
| C.I. Acid Blue 93 | 28983-56-4 |
| C.I. Acid Brown 14, disodium salt | 5850-16-8 |
| C.I. Acid Green 1 | 19381-50-1 |
| C.I. Acid Orange 24, monosodium salt | 1320-07-6 |
| C.I. Acid Red 14 | 3567-69-9 |
| C.I. Acid Red 289 | 12220-28-9 |
| C.I. Acid Red 52 | 3520-42-1 |
| C.I. Acid Violet 34 | 6408-63-5 |
| C.I. Acid Violet 43 | 4430-18-6 |
| C.I. Acid Yellow 17 | 6359-98-4 |
| C.I. Fluorescent Brightener 220 | 16470-24-9 |
| C.I. Fluorescent Brightener 28, sodium salt | 4193-55-9 |
| C.I. Fluorescent Brightening Agent 28 | 4404-43-7 |
| C.I. Food Red 1 | 4548-53-2 |
| C.I. Natural Brown 10 | 8028-89-5 |
| C.I. Pigment Blue 15 | 147-14-8 |
| C.I. Solvent Green 7 | 6358-69-6 |
| C.I.Direct Blue 199 | 63950-02-7 |
| Copper phthalocyanine, sulfamoyl sulfo derivs., sodium salts | 90295-11-7 |
| D&C Green No. 5 | 4403-90-1 |
| D&C Red No. 33 | 3567-66-6 |
| FD&C Blue No.1 | 3844-45-9 |
| FD&C Green No. 3 | 2353-45-9 |
| FD&C Red 40 | 25956-17-6 |
| FD&C Yellow No. 5 | 1934-21-0 |
| FD&C Yellow No. 6 | 2783-94-0 |
| Fluorescent Brightener 230 | 27344-06-5 |
| Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), alpha, alpha', alpha'', alpha'''-[[(2-sulfophenyl)methyliumylidene]bis(4,1-phenylenenitrilodi-2,1-ethanediyl)]tetrakis[omega-hydroxy-, chloride, sodium salt (1:1:1) | 9079-33-8 |
| Titanium(IV) oxide | 13463-67-7 |
Defoamers
| Evaluated chemicals that meet DfE's Criteria for Colorants, Polymers, Preservatives, and Related Chemicals (PDF) (3 pp, 90K, About PDF) or the DfE's Safer Surfactant Criteria as appropriate, based on structure. | |
| Common Name | CAS Registry Number |
|---|---|
| 2-Methyloctanoic acid | 3004-93-1 |
| Alcohols, C10-12, ethoxylated propoxylated | 68154-97-2 |
| Bentonite | 1302-78-9 |
| Dimethyl silicone polymer with silica | 67762-90-7 |
| Poloxalene | 9003-11-6 |
| Polydimethylsiloxane, hydroxy-terminated | 70131-67-8 |
| Polydimethylsiloxanes (*Yellow based on some concern for aquatic toxicity. Allowed to provide functionality.) | 63148-62-9 |
| Polyethylene glycol stearate | 9004-99-3 |
| Propylene oxide ethylene oxide polymer, ether with glycerol (3:1) | 9082-00-2 |
| Siloxanes and Silicones, di-methyl, hydroxy-terminated, reaction products with chlorotrimethylsilane, hydrochloric acid, iso-Pr alc. and sodium silicate | 68440-70-0 |
Enzymes and Enzyme Stabilizers
| Evaluated chemicals that meet DfE's Criteria for Enzymes and Stabilizers (PDF) (1 pp, 29K, About PDF) | |
| Common Name | CAS Registry Number |
|---|---|
| 1,2-Propanediol | 57-55-6 |
| Amylase | 9000-92-4 |
| Amylase bacterial | 9000-85-5 |
| Amylase, alpha- | 9000-90-2 |
| Borax (*Only allowed as a protease stabilizer) | 1303-96-4 |
| Calcium chloride, anhydrous | 10043-52-4 |
| Calcium chloride, dihydrate | 10035-04-8 |
| Calcium formate | 544-17-2 |
| Cellulase | 9012-54-8 |
| DL-Methionine | 59-51-8 |
| Hydratase, phosphoenolpyruvate | 9014-08-8 |
| Mannanase, endo-1,4-beta- | 37288-54-3 |
| Orthoboric acid (*Only allowed as a protease stabilizer) | 10043-35-3 |
| Polygalacturonase | 9032-75-1 |
| Proteinase | 9001-92-7 |
| Rizolipase | 9001-62-1 |
| Sodium formate | 141-53-7 |
| Subtilisins | 9014-01-1 |
Fragrances
| Evaluated chemicals that meet DfE's Criteria for Fragrances | |
| Common Name | CAS Registry Number |
|---|---|
| This listing will include fragrance chemicals in the near future. | |
Oxidants and Oxidant Stabilizers
| Evaluated chemicals that meet DfE's Criteria for Oxidants and Stabilizers (PDF) (1 pp, 29K, About PDF) | |
| Common Name | CAS Registry Number |
|---|---|
| Aminotrimethylene phosphonic acid (*Only allowed as an oxidant stabilizer) | 6419-19-8 |
| Hydrogen peroxide | 7722-84-1 |
| Phosphonic acid (*Only allowed as an oxidant stabilizer) | 13598-36-2 |
| Phosphonic acid, [[(phosphonomethyl)imino]bis[2,1-ethanediylnitrilobis(methylene)]]tetrakis-, sodium salt (*Only allowed as an oxidant stabilizer) | 22042-96-2 |
| Phosphoric acid (*Only allowed as an oxidant stabilizer) | 7664-38-2 |
| Potassium stannate (*Only allowed as an oxidant stabilizer) | 12142-33-5 |
| Sodium nitrate (*Only allowed as an oxidant stabilizer) | 7631-99-4 |
| Sodium percarbonate | 15630-89-4 |
| Sodium peroxydisulfate | 7775-27-1 |
| Sodium stannate (*Only allowed as an oxidant stabilizer) | 12058-66-1 |
| Tetraacetyl ethylene diamine | 10543-57-4 |
Polymers
| Evaluated chemicals that meet DfE's Criteria for Colorants, Polymers, Preservatives, and Related Chemicals (PDF) (3 pp, 90K, About PDF) | |
| Common Name | CAS Registry Number |
|---|---|
| 2,5-Furandione, polymer with 1-propene | 25722-45-6 |
| 2,5-Furandione, polymer with 2,4,4-trimethylpentene, sodium salt | 37199-81-8 |
| 2,5-Furandione, polymer with ethenylbenzene, ammonium salt | 26022-09-3 |
| 2,5-Furandione, telomer with ethenylbenzene and (1-methylethyl)benzene, sodium salt | 52500-92-2 |
| 2-Propenoic acid, 2-methyl-, butyl ester, polymer with butyl 2-propenoate and methyl 2-methyl-2-propenoate | 25322-99-0 |
| 2-Propenoic acid, 2-methyl-, butyl ester, polymer with methyl 2-methyl-2-propenoate | 25608-33-7 |
| 2-Propenoic acid, 2-methyl-, methyl ester, polymer with ethenylbenzene and 2-propenoic acid | 25767-39-9 |
| 2-Propenoic acid, 2-methyl-, polymer with 2-propenoic acid, sodium salt | 28205-96-1 |
| 2-Propenoic acid, 2-methyl-, polymer with butyl 2-methyl-2-propenoate, butyl 2-propenoate, ethenylbenzene and methyl 2-methyl-2-propenoate | 25950-40-7 |
| 2-Propenoic acid, 2-methyl-, polymer with butyl 2-propenoate and ethenylbenzene | 25036-16-2 |
| 2-Propenoic acid, 2-methyl-, polymer with butyl 2-propenoate and methyl 2-methyl-2-propenoate | 25035-69-2 |
| 2-Propenoic acid, 2-methyl-, polymer with butyl 2-propenoate, (1-methylethenyl)benzene and methyl 2-methyl-2-propenoate | 94031-39-7 |
| 2-Propenoic acid, 2-methyl-, polymer with butyl 2-propenoate, ethene, ethenylbenzene, ethyl 2-propenoate and methyl 2-methyl-2-propenoate | 67892-91-5 |
| 2-Propenoic acid, 2-methyl-, polymer with butyl 2-propenoate, ethenylbenzene and methyl 2-methyl-2-propenoate | 25987-66-0 |
| 2-Propenoic acid, 2-methyl-, polymer with butyl 2-propenoate, ethenylbenzene and methyl 2-methyl-2-propenoate, calcium salt | 137899-00-4 |
| 2-Propenoic acid, 2-methyl-, polymer with butyl 2-propenoate, ethenylbenzene, ethyl 2-propenoate and methyl 2-methyl-2-propenoate | 63744-68-3 |
| 2-Propenoic acid, 2-methyl-, polymer with butyl 2-propenoate, ethenylbenzene, methyl 2-methyl-2-propenoate and 2-propenenitrile | 31392-42-4 |
| 2-Propenoic acid, 2-methyl-, polymer with ethenylbenzene | 9010-92-8 |
| 2-Propenoic acid, 2-methyl-, polymer with ethenylbenzene and methyl 2-methyl-2-propenoate | 25035-81-8 |
| 2-Propenoic acid, 2-methyl-, polymer with ethenylbenzene, ethyl 2-propenoate, methyl 2-methyl-2-propenoate and 1,2-propanediol mono(2-methyl-2-propenoate) | 65405-63-2 |
| 2-Propenoic acid, 2-methyl-, polymer with ethyl 2-propenoate | 25212-88-8 |
| 2-Propenoic acid, 2-methyl-, polymer with methyl 2-methyl-2-propenoate | 25086-15-1 |
| 2-Propenoic acid, homopolymer | 9003-01-4 |
| 2-Propenoic acid, homopolymer, sodium salt | 9003-04-7 |
| 2-Propenoic acid, polymer with 2,5-furandione, sodium salt | 52255-49-9 |
| 2-Propenoic acid, potassium salt (1:1), polymer with 2-propenamide | 31212-13-2 |
| 2-Propenoic acid, telomer with sodium hydrogen sulfite, sodium salt | 68479-09-4 |
| 2-Propenoic acid, telomer with sodium sulfite (1:1) | 66019-18-9 |
| Butanoic acid, 3-oxo-, 2-[(2-methyl-1-oxo-2-propen-1-yl)oxy]ethyl ester, polymer with butyl 2-propenoate, 2-ethylhexyl 2-propenoate, methyl 2-methyl-2-propenoate, 2-methyl-2-propenoic acid and 2-propen-1-yl 2-methyl-2-propenoate | 156042-41-0 |
| Ethene, homopolymer, oxidized | 68441-17-8 |
| Ethylene/acrylic acid copolymer | 9010-77-9 |
| Glycerol poly(oxyethylene) ether | 31694-55-0 |
| Octadecanoic acid, 12-hydroxy-, polymer with alpha-hydro-omega-hydroxypoly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl) | 70142-34-6 |
| Polybutene | 9003-29-6 |
| Polyethylene glycol | 25322-68-3 |
| Polymaleic acid | 26099-09-2 |
| Polymethacrylic acid | 25087-26-7 |
| Polypropylene | 9003-07-0 |
| Polyvinylpyrrolidone | 9003-39-8 |
| Sodium ligninsulfonate | 8061-51-6 |
| Sodium polymethacrylate | 54193-36-1 |
| Vinyl acetate vinyl alcohol polymer | 25213-24-5 |
Preservatives and Antioxidants
| Evaluated chemicals that meet DfE's Criteria for Colorants, Polymers, Preservatives, and Related Chemicals (PDF) (3 pp, 90K, About PDF) | |
| Common Name | CAS Registry Number |
|---|---|
| 1,2-Benzisothiazol-3(2H)-one | 2634-33-5 |
| 2-Phenoxyethanol (*Yellow, due in part to its status as a Hazardous Air Pollutant (HAP) under the Clean Air Act.) | 122-99-6 |
| Benzoic acid, potassium salt | 582-25-2 |
| Benzoic acid, sodium Salt | 532-32-1 |
| Dehydroacetic acid | 520-45-6 |
| DL-alpha-Tocopherol | 10191-41-0 |
| DL-Lactic acid | 50-21-5 |
| L-Lactic acid | 79-33-4 |
| Magnesium nitrate (*Only allowed as a preservative stabilizer) | 10377-60-3 |
| Methyl chloro isothiazolinone | 26172-55-4 |
| Methyl isothiazolinone | 2682-20-4 |
| Potassium sorbate | 590-00-1 |
| Potassium sorbate (E,E) | 24634-61-5 |
| Sodium propionate | 137-40-6 |
| Sorbic acid | 110-44-1 |
| Tocopherol acetate | 7695-91-2 |
| Vitamin E acetate | 58-95-7 |
Processing Aids and Additives
| Evaluated chemicals that meet DfE's Criteria for Processing Aids and Additives (PDF) (5 pp, 64K, About PDF) | |
| Common Name | CAS Registry Number |
|---|---|
| Acetic acid | 64-19-7 |
| alpha-Methylglucoside | 97-30-3 |
| Ascorbic acid | 50-81-7 |
| Bentonite | 1302-78-9 |
| Calcined kaolin | 66402-68-4 |
| Calcium acetate | 62-54-4 |
| Calcium carbonate | 471-34-1 |
| Calcium chloride, anhydrous | 10043-52-4 |
| Calcium chloride, dihydrate | 10035-04-8 |
| Calcium citrate | 813-94-5 |
| Calcium formate | 544-17-2 |
| Calcium magnesium acetate | 76123-46-1 |
| Calcium silicate | 1344-95-2 |
| Canola oil | 120962-03-0 |
| Carrageenan | 9000-07-1 |
| Cellulose | 9004-34-6 |
| Cellulose, 2-hydroxypropyl methyl ether | 9004-65-3 |
| Cellulose, carboxymethyl ether, sodium salt | 9004-32-4 |
| Cellulose, regenerated | 68442-85-3 |
| Citric acid, anhydrous | 77-92-9 |
| Citric acid, monohydrate | 5949-29-1 |
| Coconut oil | 8001-31-8 |
| Corn gluten protein | 66071-96-3 |
| Corn oil | 8001-30-7 |
| Corn sugar syrup | 8029-43-4 |
| Dextrin | 9004-53-9 |
| D-Gluconic acid | 526-95-4 |
| Dipotassium hydrogen citrate | 3609-96-9 |
| Disodium disilicate | 13870-28-5 |
| Disulfurous acid, disodium salt | 7681-57-4 |
| DL-Lactic acid | 50-21-5 |
| Fumaric acid | 110-17-8 |
| Glass fibers | 65997-17-3 |
| Gluconolactone | 90-80-2 |
| Glucose | 50-99-7 |
| Guar gum | 9000-30-0 |
| Hydrated silica | 112926-00-8 |
| Hydrochloric acid (aqueous) (*Yellow, due to its status as a Hazardous Air Pollutant (HAP) under the Clean Air Act.) | 7647-01-0 |
| Hydroxyethyl cellulose | 9004-62-0 |
| Hydroxypropyl cellulose | 9004-64-2 |
| Inulin, carboxymethyl ether, sodium salt | 430439-54-6 |
| Kaolin | 1332-58-7 |
| Limestone | 1317-65-3 |
| L-Lactic acid | 79-33-4 |
| Magnesium acetate | 142-72-3 |
| Magnesium chloride, anhydrous | 7786-30-3 |
| Magnesium chloride, hexahydrate | 7791-18-6 |
| Magnesium hydroxide | 1309-42-8 |
| Magnesium oxide | 1309-48-4 |
| Magnesium sulfate, anhydrous | 7487-88-9 |
| Magnesium sulfate, heptahydrate | 10034-99-8 |
| Malic acid | 6915-15-7 |
| Maltodextrin | 9050-36-6 |
| Methyl cellulose | 9004-67-5 |
| Molasses, blackstrap | 8052-35-5 |
| Nepheline syenite | 37244-96-5 |
| Olive oil | 8001-25-0 |
| Palm oil | 8002-75-3 |
| Perlite | 93763-70-3 |
| Potassium acetate | 127-08-2 |
| Potassium bicarbonate | 298-14-6 |
| Potassium carbonate, anhydrous | 584-08-7 |
| Potassium chloride | 7447-40-7 |
| Potassium citrate, anhydrous | 866-84-2 |
| Potassium citrate, monohydrate | 6100-05-6 |
| Potassium hydroxide | 1310-58-3 |
| Potassium silicate | 1312-76-1 |
| Potassium sulfate | 7778-80-5 |
| Pumice | 1332-09-8 |
| Silanamine, 1,1,1-trimethyl-N-(trimethylsilyl)-, hydrolysis products with silica | 68909-20-6 |
| Silica | 7631-86-9 |
| Silica gel | 63231-67-4 |
| Silicic acid, disodium salt, pentahydrate | 10213-79-3 |
| Silicon carbide | 409-21-2 |
| Smectite-group minerals | 12199-37-0 |
| Sodium acetate | 127-09-3 |
| Sodium bicarbonate | 144-55-8 |
| Sodium bisulfate | 7681-38-1 |
| Sodium carbonate, anhydrous | 497-19-8 |
| Sodium carbonate, monohydrate | 5968-11-6 |
| Sodium chloride | 7647-14-5 |
| Sodium citrate, anhydrous | 68-04-2 |
| Sodium citrate, dihydrate | 6132-04-3 |
| Sodium dihydrogen citrate | 18996-35-5 |
| Sodium formate | 141-53-7 |
| Sodium gluconate | 527-07-1 |
| Sodium hydroxide | 1310-73-2 |
| Sodium magnesium silicate | 53320-86-8 |
| Sodium metasilicate | 6834-92-0 |
| Sodium propionate | 137-40-6 |
| Sodium sesquicarbonate | 533-96-0 |
| Sodium silicate | 1344-09-8 |
| Sodium sulfate | 7757-82-6 |
| Sodium sulfite | 7757-83-7 |
| Sodium thiosulfate | 7772-98-7 |
| Sodium thiosulfate, pentahydrate | 10102-17-7 |
| Sorbitol | 50-70-4 |
| Soybean oil | 8001-22-7 |
| Starch | 9005-25-8 |
| Starch, 2-hydroxypropyl ether | 9049-76-7 |
| Sucrose | 57-50-1 |
| Sulfamic acid | 5329-14-6 |
| Sulfurous acid, monosodium salt | 7631-90-5 |
| Titanium(IV) oxide | 13463-67-7 |
| Vinegar | 8028-52-2 |
| Xanthan gum | 11138-66-2 |
| Zeolites | 1318-02-1 |
| Zeolites, NaA | 68989-22-0 |
Solvents
| Evaluated chemicals that meet DfE's Criteria for Solvents | |
| Common Name | CAS Registry Number |
|---|---|
| 1-(2-Methoxy-1-methylethoxy)-2-propanol | 20324-32-7 |
| 1,1'-Dimethyldiethylene glycol | 110-98-5 |
| 1,2-Propanediol | 57-55-6 |
| 1,3-Butanediol | 107-88-0 |
| 1,3-Dioxolan-2-one, 4-ethyl- | 4437-85-8 |
| 1,3-Propanediol | 504-63-2 |
| 1-Methoxy-2-propanol | 107-98-2 |
| 1-Propoxy-2-propanol | 1569-01-3 |
| 2-Methyl-2,4-pentanediol | 107-41-5 |
| 3-Methyl-3-methoxybutanol | 56539-66-3 |
| 4-Hydroxymethyl-1,3-dioxolan-2-one | 931-40-8 |
| Diethylene glycol mono-N-butyl ether (*Yellow, due in part to its status as a Hazardous Air Pollutant (HAP) under the Clean Air Act. *Yellow due to hazard concerns, but allowed to provide functionality while meeting DfE VOC criteria. See section 4.2.7.1.) | 112-34-5 |
| Dimethyl adipate | 627-93-0 |
| Dimethyl glutarate | 1119-40-0 |
| Dimethyl succinate | 106-65-0 |
| Dipropylene glycol | 25265-71-8 |
| Dipropylene glycol methyl ether | 34590-94-8 |
| Dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether (*Yellow due to hazard concerns, but allowed to provide functionality while meeting DfE VOC criteria. See section 4.2.7.1.) | 29911-28-2 |
| D-limonene (*Must meet Section 5.5.2. *Yellow due to hazard concerns, but allowed to provide functionality while meeting DfE VOC criteria. See section 4.2.7.1.) | 5989-27-5 |
| Ethanol | 64-17-5 |
| Ethyl lactate | 97-64-3 |
| Fatty acids, C12-18, methyl esters (*Yellow due to hazard concerns, but allowed to provide functionality while meeting DfE VOC criteria. See section 4.2.7.1.) | 68937-84-8 |
| Fatty acids, C16-18 and C18-unsatd., methyl esters (*Yellow due to hazard concerns, but allowed to provide functionality while meeting DfE VOC criteria. See section 4.2.7.1.) | 67762-38-3 |
| Glycerides, mixed decanoyl and octanoyl | 73398-61-5 |
| Glycerol | 56-81-5 |
| Isopropanol | 67-63-0 |
| Pentanedioic acid, 2-methyl-, 1,5-dimethyl ester | 14035-94-0 |
| Polypropylene glycol (*Yellow due to hazard concerns, but allowed to provide functionality while meeting DfE VOC criteria. See section 4.2.7.1.) | 25322-69-4 |
| Propanol 1 (or 2)-2-methoxymethyl ethoxy, acetate | 88917-22-0 |
| Propanol, [2-(2-methoxymethylethoxy)methylethoxy]- (*Yellow due to hazard concerns, but allowed to provide functionality while meeting DfE VOC criteria. See section 4.2.7.1.) | 25498-49-1 |
| Propylene carbonate | 108-32-7 |
| Propylene glycol methyl ether acetate | 108-65-6 |
| Propylene glycol n-butyl ether | 5131-66-8 |
| Soybean oil, methyl esters (*Yellow due to hazard concerns, but allowed to provide functionality while meeting DfE VOC criteria. See section 4.2.7.1.) | 67784-80-9 |
| Tripropylene glycol n-butyl ether | 55934-93-5 |
| Water | 7732-18-5 |
| White mineral oil, petroleum | 8042-47-5 |
Specialized Industrial Chemicals
| These chemicals are only eligible for use in specialized industrial products and are qualified based on(DfE's Criteria for Specialized Industrial Products (4 pp, 58K, About PDF)) [see also Section 4.6 of the DfE Standard for Safer Products (PDF)] (37 pp, 258K, About PDF) | |
| Common Name | CAS Registry Number |
|---|---|
| 1H-Imidazole-1-ethanol, 2-(heptadecenyl)-4,5-dihydro- | 27136-73-8 |
| Amphoteric fluorinated surfactant | 34455-29-3 |
| Benzyl alcohol | 100-51-6 |
| Boron, trifluoro(tetrahydrofuran)-, (T-4)-, polymer with 3-methyl-3-[(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)methyl]oxetane, ether with 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediol (2:1), bis(hydrogen sulfate), diammonium salt | 452080-64-7 |
| Boron, trifluoro(tetrahydrofuran)-, (T-4)-, polymer with 3-methyl-3-[(2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropoxy)methyl]oxetane, ether with 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediol (2:1), bis(hydrogen sulfate), diammonium salt | 452080-67-0 |
| Ethanolamine | 141-43-5 |
| Halogenated aliphatic acid | 27619-97-2 |
| Tri-2-Butoxyethyl phosphate | 78-51-3 |
| Triethanolamine | 102-71-6 |
Surfactants
| Evaluated chemicals that meet DfE's Safer Surfactant Criteria | |
| Common Name | CAS Registry Number |
|---|---|
| 1-Dodecanesulfonic acid, hydroxy-, sodium salt | 128824-30-6 |
| 1-Propanaminium, 3-amino-N-(carboxymethyl)-N,N-dimethyl-, N-(C8-18 and C18-unsatd. acyl) derivs., inner salts | 147170-44-3 |
| 1-Propanaminium, 3-amino-N-(carboxymethyl)-N,N-dimethyl-, N-coco acyl derivs., chlorides, sodium salts | 61789-39-7 |
| 1-Propanaminium, 3-amino-N-(carboxymethyl)-N,N-dimethyl-, N-coco acyl derivs., inner salts | 61789-40-0 |
| 1-Propanaminium, N-(carboxymethyl)-N,N-dimethyl-3-[(1-oxodecyl)amino]-, inner salt | 73772-45-9 |
| 1-Propanaminium, N-(carboxymethyl)-N,N-dimethyl-3-[(1-oxooctyl)amino]-, inner salt | 73772-46-0 |
| Alcohols, C10-12, ethoxylated propoxylated | 68154-97-2 |
| Alcohols, C10-14, ethoxylated | 66455-15-0 |
| Alcohols, C10-16, ethoxylated | 68002-97-1 |
| Alcohols, C10-16, ethoxylated propoxylated | 69227-22-1 |
| Alcohols, C11-15-secondary, ethoxylated | 68131-40-8 |
| Alcohols, C12-13, ethoxylated | 66455-14-9 |
| Alcohols, C12-14, ethoxylated | 68439-50-9 |
| Alcohols, C12-14, ethoxylated propoxylated | 68439-51-0 |
| Alcohols, C12-14-secondary, ethoxylated | 84133-50-6 |
| Alcohols, C12-15, ethoxylated | 68131-39-5 |
| Alcohols, C12-15, ethoxylated propoxylated | 68551-13-3 |
| Alcohols, C12-15-branched and linear, ethoxylated propoxylated | 120313-48-6 |
| Alcohols, C12-16, ethoxylated | 68551-12-2 |
| Alcohols, C12-18 | 67762-25-8 |
| Alcohols, C12-18, ethers with polyethylene glycol mono-Bu ether | 146340-16-1 |
| Alcohols, C12-18, ethoxylated | 68213-23-0 |
| Alcohols, C14-15, ethoxylated | 68951-67-7 |
| Alcohols, C16-18, ethoxylated | 68439-49-6 |
| Alcohols, C6-10, ethoxylated | 70879-83-3 |
| Alcohols, C6-10, ethoxylated propoxylated | 68987-81-5 |
| Alcohols, C6-12, ethoxylated | 68439-45-2 |
| Alcohols, C8-10, ethoxylated | 71060-57-6 |
| Alcohols, C8-18, ethoxylated propoxylated | 69013-18-9 |
| Alcohols, C9-11, ethoxylated | 68439-46-3 |
| Alkyl(C12-C16)alcohol sulfate sodium salt | 73296-89-6 |
| Amines, C10-16-alkyldimethyl, N-oxides | 70592-80-2 |
| Amines, C12-18-alkyldimethyl, N-oxides | 68955-55-5 |
| Amines, coco alkyl dihydroxyethyl, oxides | 61791-47-7 |
| Ammonium lauryl sulfate | 2235-54-3 |
| Ammonium xylenesulfonate | 26447-10-9 |
| Benzene, (1-methylethyl)-, monosulfo deriv., sodium salt (1:1) | 32073-22-6 |
| Benzenesulfonic acid, 4-C10-13-sec-alkyl derivs., sodium salts | 127184-52-5 |
| Benzenesulfonic acid, C10-14-alkyl derivs., sodium salts | 69669-44-9 |
| Benzenesulfonic acid, C10-16-alkyl derivs. | 68584-22-5 |
| Benzenesulfonic acid, C10-16-alkyl derivs., magnesium salts | 68584-26-9 |
| Benzenesulfonic acid, mono-C10-16-alkyl derivs., sodium salts | 68081-81-2 |
| Betaines, C10-16-alkyl(2-hydroxy-3-sulfopropyl)dimethyl | 72869-77-3 |
| Bis(1-methylamyl) sodium sulfosuccinate | 3006-15-3 |
| Bis(2-ethylhexyl) sodium sulfosuccinate | 577-11-7 |
| Butanedioic acid, sulfo-, mono(C10-C16)alkyl ethoxylated ester, disodium salt | 68815-56-5 |
| C10-13 Alkyl benzenesulfonic acid, sodium salts | 90194-45-9 |
| Capric dimethyl amine oxide | 2605-79-0 |
| Castor oil, sulfated, sodium salt | 68187-76-8 |
| Cetamine oxide | 7128-91-8 |
| Cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine | 68139-30-0 |
| Cocamidopropylamine oxide | 68155-09-9 |
| Cocamine oxide | 61788-90-7 |
| Coconut fatty acids, ethoxylated | 61791-29-5 |
| Coconut oil, sodium salt | 68814-96-0 |
| Cyclocarboxypropyloleic acid | 53980-88-4 |
| Decylbenzenesulfonic acid | 1322-98-1 |
| D-Glucopyranose, oligomeric, 2-ethylhexyl glycosides | 161074-93-7 |
| D-Glucopyranose, oligomeric, 6-(dihydrogen 2-hydroxy-1,2,3-propanetricarboxylate), 1-(coco alkyl) ethers, sodium salts | 151911-51-2 |
| D-Glucopyranose, oligomeric, C10-16-alkyl glycosides | 110615-47-9 |
| D-Glucopyranose, oligomeric, C10-16-alkyl glycosides, 2-hydroxy-3-sulfopropyl ethers, sodium salts | 742087-49-6 |
| D-Glucopyranose, oligomeric, C9-11-alkyl glycosides | 132778-08-6 |
| D-Glucopyranose, oligomeric, decyl octyl glycosides | 68515-73-1 |
| D-Glucopyranoside, hexyl | 54549-24-5 |
| Diethylene glycol momolauryl ether sodium sulfate | 3088-31-1 |
| Disodium lauriminodipropionate | 3655-00-3 |
| Dodecanoic acid | 143-07-7 |
| Dodecanoic acid, sodium salt | 629-25-4 |
| Dodecene-1-sulfonic acid, sodium salt | 30965-85-6 |
| Dodecyl alcohol, ethoxylated | 9002-92-0 |
| Dodecyl triethylene glycol ether | 3055-94-5 |
| Dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid | 27176-87-0 |
| Ethanaminium, 2-hydroxy-N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-N-methyl-, esters with C16-18 and C18-unsatd. fatty acids, methyl sulfates (salts) | 157905-74-3 |
| Fatty acids, C12-18, methyl esters, sulfonated, sodium salts | 149458-07-1 |
| Fatty acids, C16-18 and C18-unsatd. | 67701-08-0 |
| Fatty acids, C8-18 and C18-unsatd. | 67701-05-7 |
| Fatty acids, coco | 61788-47-4 |
| Fatty acids, coco, sodium salts | 61789-31-9 |
| Fatty acids, coconut oil, potassium salts | 61789-30-8 |
| Fatty acids, coconut oil, sulfoethyl esters, sodium salts | 61789-32-0 |
| Fatty acids, palm kernel-oil, methyl esters, sulfonated, sodium salts | 68440-13-1 |
| Fatty acids, tall-oil | 61790-12-3 |
| Fatty acids, tall-oil, potassium salts | 61790-44-1 |
| Fatty acids, tallow | 61790-37-2 |
| Fatty acids, tallow, hydrogenated, compds. with triethanolamine | 68605-97-0 |
| Fatty acids, tallow, sodium salts | 8052-48-0 |
| Gardol | 137-16-6 |
| Glycerides, C14-18 mono- and di- | 67701-33-1 |
| Glycerides, C16-18 and C18-unsatd. mono- and di- | 68424-61-3 |
| Glycerine oleate | 37220-82-9 |
| Glyceryl stearates | 11099-07-3 |
| Glycol distearate | 627-83-8 |
| Heptadecanoic acid | 506-12-7 |
| Hexyl poly(oxyethylene) ether | 31726-34-8 |
| Imidazolium compounds, 1-[2-(2-carboxyethoxy)ethyl]-1(or 3)-(2-carboxyethyl)-4,5-dihydro-2-norcoco alkyl, hydroxides, disodium salts | 68604-71-7 |
| Isopropanol | 67-63-0 |
| Lauramidopropyl betaine | 4292-10-8 |
| Lauramidopropylamine oxide | 61792-31-2 |
| Lauryl hydroxysultaine | 13197-76-7 |
| Lauryldimethylbetaine | 683-10-3 |
| Linoleic acid | 60-33-3 |
| Magnesium lauryl sulfate | 3097-08-3 |
| Methyl laurate | 111-82-0 |
| Myristamido propylamine oxide | 67806-10-4 |
| Myristamidopropyl betaine | 59272-84-3 |
| Myristyl alcohol, ethoxylated | 27306-79-2 |
| N-(3-Alkyl(C12-C15)oxypropyl)-3-iminodipropionic acid, monosodium salt | 68608-69-5 |
| N,N-Dimethyl-1-tetradecanamine-N-oxide | 3332-27-2 |
| N,N-Dimethyldodecylamine oxide | 1643-20-5 |
| n-Octyl-polyoxyethylene | 27252-75-1 |
| N-Octylpyrrolidone | 2687-94-7 |
| Octanoic acid | 124-07-2 |
| Octanoic acid, potassium salt | 764-71-6 |
| Octanoic acid, reaction products with 2-[(2-aminoethyl)amino]ethanol, acrylic acid alkylated (1:2), disodium salts | 68815-55-4 |
| Octyldimethylamine oxide | 2605-78-9 |
| Octyldimethylbetaine | 27593-14-2 |
| Oleic acid | 112-80-1 |
| Oleic acid, sodium salt | 143-19-1 |
| Oxirane, 2-methyl-, polymer with oxirane, mono(2-propylheptyl) ether | 166736-08-9 |
| Oxirane, methyl-, polymer with oxirane, mono(2-ethylhexyl) ether | 64366-70-7 |
| Palmitic acid | 57-10-3 |
| Poloxalene | 9003-11-6 |
| Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), .alpha.-(3-carboxy-1-oxo-3-sulfopropyl)-.omega.-(dodecyloxy)-, disodium salt | 39354-45-5 |
| Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), .alpha.-(carboxymethyl)-.omega.-(octyloxy)- | 53563-70-5 |
| Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), alpha-(2-propylheptyl)-omega-hydroxy- | 160875-66-1 |
| Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), alpha-(3-carboxy-1-oxosulfopropyl)-omega-hydroxy-, C10-12-alkyl ethers, disodium salts | 68954-91-6 |
| Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), alpha-(carboxymethyl)-omega-hydroxy-, C12-13-alkyl ethers | 70750-17-3 |
| Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), alpha-(carboxymethyl)-omega-hydroxy-,C12-14-alkyl ethers | 220622-96-8 |
| Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), alpha-butyl-omega-(octyloxy)- | 109075-72-1 |
| Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), alpha-undecyl-omega-hydroxy-, branched and linear | 127036-24-2 |
| Polyethylene glycol distearate | 9005-08-7 |
| Polyethylene glycol mono(tridecyl) ether | 24938-91-8 |
| Polyethylene glycol mono-C10-16-alkyl ether sulfate sodium salt | 68585-34-2 |
| Polyethylene glycol mono-C12-14-alkyl ether sulfate sodium salt | 68891-38-3 |
| Polyethylene glycol monoleyl ether | 9004-98-2 |
| Polyethylene glycol stearate | 9004-99-3 |
| Polyoxyethylene dioleate | 9005-07-6 |
| Polyoxyethylene monoleate | 9004-96-0 |
| Polyoxyethylene monooctadecyl ether | 9005-00-9 |
| Polyoxyethylene monoundecyl ether | 34398-01-1 |
| Polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate | 9005-64-5 |
| Polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate | 9005-65-6 |
| Polyoxyethylene sorbitan trioleate | 9005-70-3 |
| Potassium acrylinoleate | 68127-33-3 |
| Potassium dodecylbenzene sulfonate | 27177-77-1 |
| Potassium linoleate | 3414-89-9 |
| Propanoic acid, 2-hydroxy-, 2-(C10-16-alkyloxy)-1-methyl-2-oxoethyl ester | 910661-93-7 |
| Quaternary ammonium compounds, bis(hydroxyethyl)methyltallow alkyl, ethoxylated, methyl sulfates (salts) | 73138-81-5 |
| Quaternary ammonium compounds, coco alkylbis(hydroxyethyl)methyl, ethoxylated, chlorides | 61791-10-4 |
| Sodium 1-methoxy-1-oxohexadecane-2-sulphonate | 4016-24-4 |
| Sodium 1-octanesulfonate | 5324-84-5 |
| Sodium cocoyl glutamate | 68187-32-6 |
| Sodium cumene sulfonate | 28348-53-0 |
| Sodium dodecylpoly(oxyethylene) sulfate | 9004-82-4 |
| Sodium laurimino dipropionate | 14960-06-6 |
| Sodium lauryl benzene sulfonate | 25155-30-0 |
| Sodium lauryl sulfate | 151-21-3 |
| Sodium lauryl trioxyethylene sulfate | 13150-00-0 |
| Sodium octyl sulfate | 142-31-4 |
| Sodium polyoxyethylene tridecyl sulfate | 25446-78-0 |
| Sodium stearate | 822-16-2 |
| Sodium tridecylbenzene sulfonate | 26248-24-8 |
| Sodium undecylbenzene sulfonate | 27636-75-5 |
| Sodium xylene sulfonate | 1300-72-7 |
| Sorbitan monolaurate | 1338-39-2 |
| Sorbitan monooleate | 1338-43-8 |
| Sorbitan monopalmitate | 26266-57-9 |
| Sorbitan monostearate | 1338-41-6 |
| Sorbitan sesquioleate | 8007-43-0 |
| Soybean oil fatty acids | 68308-53-2 |
| Soybean oil, sulfated, sodium salt | 61790-16-7 |
| Stearic acid | 57-11-4 |
| Sulfonic acids, C10-18-alkane, sodium salts | 68037-49-0 |
| Sulfonic acids, C14-16-alkane hydroxy and C14-16-alkene, sodium salts | 68439-57-6 |
| Sulfonic acids, petroleum, sodium salts | 68608-26-4 |
| Sulfuric acid, mono-C10-16-alkyl esters, ammonium salts | 68081-96-9 |
| Sulfuric acid, mono-C10-16-alkyl esters, sodium salts | 68585-47-7 |
| Sulfuric acid, mono-C12-18-alkyl esters, sodium salts | 68955-19-1 |
| Tetradecanoic acid | 544-63-8 |
Uncategorized
| Evaluated chemicals that meet DfE's Criteria for Colorants, Polymers, Preservatives, and Related Chemicals (PDF) (3 pp, 90K, About PDF) | |
| Common Name | CAS Registry Number |
|---|---|
| Aloe barbadensis extract | 85507-69-3 |
| Aloe barbadensis mill., extract | 94349-62-9 |
| Aloe, pharmaceutical | 8001-97-6 |
| Cellulose, regenerated | 68442-85-3 |
| Denatonium benzoate (*Only allowed as a bittering agent) | 3734-33-6 |
| Lignin | 9005-53-2 |
| Nitrogen | 7727-37-9 |
| Paraffin waxes, petroleum, clay-treated | 64742-43-4 |
| Paraffin waxes, petroleum, hydrotreated | 64742-51-4 |
| Pulp, cellulose | 65996-61-4 |
| Soy protein isolate, sodium salt | 77098-13-6 |
| Urea | 57-13-6 |
| Urea, monohydrochloride | 506-89-8 |
| Zinc ricinoleate | 13040-19-2 |
A downloadable Excel spreadsheet (XLS, 155KB) of the Safer Chemical Ingredients List is also available.
(Download Excel Viewer) 
Please note: Use of chemicals from the list in product formulations does not entitle the manufacturer to make any claims related to the EPA or the DfE program or label. Manufacturers may only make such claims after going through formal third-party DfE review, qualifying for the label based on both ingredient- and product-level criteria (addressing, for example, issues of ingredient purity and physical form, potential synergistic effects, and performance), and entering an EPA/DfE partnership. For more information see How to Partner, Get the DfE Label.
About the List
Additional chemicals may be added to this list as DfE evaluates chemical ingredients and approves products for the DfE label. Chemicals may be removed from the list or have their status changed based on new data or innovations that raise the safer-chemistry bar. DfE will ensure that no confidential or trade secret information appears in this list.
†The DfE Standard and Criteria for Safer Chemical Ingredients are protective and include a broad range of potential toxicological effects. As a baseline, DfE criteria exclude chemicals that fall into the following categories:
- carcinogens, mutagens, reproductive or developmental toxicants;
- persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic chemicals;
- systemic or internal organ toxicants;
- asthmagens;
- sensitizers (only allowed if disclosed on the product label); and
- chemicals on authoritative lists of chemicals of concern.
Additionally:
- Chemicals that exhibit endocrine activity are closely evaluated. Those associated with toxicological hazards are not allowed.
- Impurities can be present in chemicals that are used in DfE products. DfE limits impurities that do not meet its criteria to not more than 0.01 percent in the final product. The safer chemicals list does not include impurities.
* All chemicals in the listing are among the safest for their functional use.
Green circle - The chemical has been verified to be of low concern based on experimental and modeled data.
Green half-circle - The chemical is expected to be of low concern based on experimental and modeled data. Additional data would strengthen our confidence in the chemical’s safer status.
Yellow triangle - The chemical has met DfE criteria for its functional ingredient-class, but has some hazard profile issues. Specifically, a chemical with this code is not associated with a low level of hazard concern for all human health and environmental endpoints. (See
DfE criteria). While it is a best-in-class chemical and among the safest available for a particular function, the function fulfilled by the chemical should be considered an area for safer chemistry innovation.
Note: Some functional class listings contain both green circle and yellow triangle chemicals because the yellow triangle chemicals fill a functional need not met by the available green circle chemicals. For example, yellow triangle preservatives are needed to meet the full range of antimicrobial efficacy, and yellow triangle solvents are needed to meet restrictions on volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in certain product classes.
Additional Resources
See the following resources for additional information on the chemicals in cleaning products:
- CleanGredients®
This database of safer chemicals supports DfE's Safer Product Labeling Program by providing a list of chemicals, arranged by component class, that meet the DfE Criteria. - Consumer Specialty Products Association (CSPA) Consumer Product Ingredients Dictionary