California Regulators Add Microplastics to Chemicals List
The state can now evaluate consumer products for potential future regulations regarding plastic particles under 5 millimeters.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Chemistry
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On October 1, 2026, the California Department of Toxic Substances Control added microplastics, defined as plastic particles under 5 millimeters, to its Candidate Chemicals List. This administrative action enables the agency to begin evaluating consumer products for potential future regulation under its Safer Consumer Products program.
Why it matters
The inclusion signals an expansion of regulatory oversight for materials with high mobility and environmental persistence. It moves microplastics into the formal pipeline for potential product-specific restrictions in California.
Microplastics are defined by the state as plastic particles measuring less than 5 millimeters in their longest dimension. This classification threshold now allows the state to apply its existing evaluation frameworks for chemical exposure potential.
The players
California Department of Toxic Substances Control
A state agency managing the hazardous waste and product safety programs that govern chemical materials in consumer goods.
The details
The Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) utilizes the Safer Consumer Products program to identify and manage chemical risks. Under this framework, agents evaluate products based on their exposure potential and impact on wildlife, humans, and the environment. While the current listing establishes a formal recognition of the hazard, any transition to a Priority Product designation requires a separate rulemaking process that includes a public comment period.
Timeline
2015: California banned microbeads in personal care products.
October 1, 2026: DTSC officially added microplastics to the Candidate Chemicals List.
The Tech Race
This listing follows a pattern established by the 2015 California ban on microbeads in personal care products. The agency is now moving from targeted ingredient bans toward a broader, lifecycle-based evaluation of plastic materials.
There are no immediate changes to product availability or new consumer requirements resulting from this listing. Manufacturers will only face potential assessment mandates if specific goods are later categorized as Priority Products by the state.
The takeaway
The move formalizes microplastics as a target for future California state-level regulatory action. Interested parties should monitor the DTSC's rulemaking pipeline for the announcement of the first Priority Product evaluations.
Further reading
For more on the state’s approach to substance oversight, visit Chemistry.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Food Packaging Forum.
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Should states prioritize stricter regulations on consumer products containing microplastics?
