National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan Sorbent Product List

Sorbents Under the National Contingency Plan

The NCP defines sorbents under 40 CFR 300.5 as:

• Inert and insoluble substances that readily absorb and/or adsorb oil or hazardous substances, and that are not combined with or act as a chemical agent, biological agent, or sinking agent.
• Sorbents may be used in their natural bulk form or as manufactured products in particulate form, sheets, rolls, pillows, or booms.
• Sorbents are generally collected and recovered from the environment.
• Sorbents consist of:
  1. Natural organic substances (e.g., feathers, cork, peat moss, and cellulose fibers such as bagasse, corncobs, and straw);
  2. Inorganic/mineral compounds (e.g., volcanic ash, perlite, vermiculite, zeolite, clay); and
  3. Synthetic compounds (e.g., polypropylene, polyethylene, polyurethane, polyester).

Understanding the Sorbent Product List

There are two ways sorbents are identified on the Sorbent Product List. 

• Known sorbent materials identified under § 300.915(g)(1), and sorbent products that consist solely of any combination of the materials specifically identified under § 300.915(g)(1), are automatically covered under the generic materials listings on the Sorbent Product List through application of 300.915(g)(1). For such products, no technical data are required to be submitted to qualify as a sorbent on the Sorbent Product List, and no further action is necessary prior to use as a sorbent under Subpart J of the NCP. Materials identified under §300.915(g)(1) are:
  1. Feathers, cork, peat moss, and cellulose fibers such as bagasse, corncobs, and straw;
  2. Volcanic ash, perlite, vermiculite, zeolite, and clay; and
  3. Polypropylene, polyethylene, polyurethane, and polyester.
• Products subject to 300.915(g)(2) listing provisions: Products that consist of one or more natural organic substances, inorganic/mineral compounds, and/or synthetic compounds that are not specifically identified under § 300.915(g)(1), and that the product submitter believes meet the definition of a sorbent, are subject to review and approval by EPA prior to listing on the Sorbent Product List.
• For products subject to 300.915(g)(2), information must be submitted as applicable under § 300.915(g)(2) and § 300.955(a) and (b) for EPA to determine whether the product meets the listing requirements in the NCP.

NOTE: Sorbent products covered by § 300.915(g)(1) are considered listed on the Sorbent Product List whether or not they are specifically identified by a product name, brand, or trademark. A submitter who has determined its sorbent product is listed under § 300.915(g)(1), but still wants to have the brand or trademarked product listed on the Sorbent Product List, may ask EPA to specifically include their brand or trademarked sorbent product by sending EPA (see address below) the following information:

• The sorbent product manufacturer’s name, physical address, email, and telephone number, and
• The name(s), brand(s), and/or trademark(s) of the sorbent product to EPA’s NCP Product Schedule Manager.

Specific listing of sorbent products with a name, brand, or trademark under § 300.915(g)(1) are based solely on the submitter’s representation of constituents in the submitted sorbent product, and do NOT represent a determination made by EPA.

January 2026 Sorbent Product List

The Sorbent Product List identifies known sorbent materials and products and serves as reference for considering the use of such products when responding to an oil discharge.

Under 40 CFR 300.915(g)(1), the Sorbent Product List covers sorbent products that consist solely of the materials, or any combination thereof, identified in § 300.915(g)(1)(i)-(iii). No technical data are required to be submitted to EPA. A sorbent product covered by 
§ 300.915(g)(1) is considered generically listed on the Sorbent Product List whether or not the sorbent product is specifically identified by name, brand, or trademark. On-Scene Coordinators should be aware that a sorbent product that consists solely of the materials, or any combination thereof, listed in § 300.915(g)(1)(i)-(iii), but not specifically identified on the Sorbent Product List by name, brand, or trademark, are generically listed on the Sorbent Product List. Specific listing of sorbent products with a name, brand, or trademark under 
§ 300.915(g)(1) are based solely on the submitter’s representation of constituents in the submitted sorbent product, and do NOT represent a determination made by EPA.

Under 40 CFR 300.915(g)(2), the Sorbent Product List covers sorbent products that consist of one or more nature organic substances, inorganic/mineral compounds, and/or synthetic compounds not specifically identified in 40 CFR 300.915(g)(1) and meets the definition of a sorbent. Sorbent product submitters provided information for EPA review as applicable under 
§ 300.915(g)(2) and § 300.955(a) and (b) for EPA to determine whether the product meets the definition of sorbent under § 300.5.

NOTE: Response actions, including the use of sorbents, are subject to On-Scene Coordinator oversight under the National Contingency Plan.