California moves to restrict “severely hazardous” hydrofluoric acid in cleaning products

The California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), US, has initiated rulemaking to restrict the sale and distribution of cleaning products containing hydrofluoric acid (HF) due to “severe hazards” associated with the corrosive cleaning chemical.

The rulemaking falls under the Safer Consumer Products (SCP) Regulations and should not impact retailers’ existing inventory due to the widespread availability of alternatives. The DTSC is also proposing to expedite the restriction process by bypassing the Alternatives Analysis phase and jumping to a product sales prohibition on manufacturers.

Meanwhile, the DTSC has also finalized a regulation restricting nail products containing triphenyl phosphate (TPhP) at concentrations greater than 250 parts per million (ppm) under the SCP Regulation, effective October 1, 2026.

Hazards of hydrofluoric acid

Hydrofluoric acid, sometimes referred to as hydrogen fluoride, is an acutely toxic chemical, posing potential serious health consequences. The DTSC states that exposure to hydrofluoric acid from inhalation, dermal or ocular contact, or through ingestion, has the potential to cause severe, permanent injuries and death.

HF has been used in products targeting tough stains, rust removal, or heavy-duty cleaning supplies for metals, surfaces, or wheels due to its corrosive characteristics. Many cleaning products have already swapped the ingredient out for less abrasive alternatives. However, some products containing HF remain on the market, creating potential health hazards.

While Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) protocols are in place for safe handling of hazardous substances in the professional sphere, self-employed workers and people who use cleaning products with HF domestically are of “particular concern.”

According to the DTSC, without adequate protective measures, a single use of a cleaning product containing HF can cause harm. The availability of the ingredient increases the risk of exposure to household members, including children.

Regulation proposal

Due to the outlined hazardous effects associated with HF, the DTSC is proposing to use the process established under Health and Safety Code section 25253, subdivision (d) (SB 502 of 2022) for the first time.California is moving to restrict hydrofluoric acid in cleaning products. 

The authority could allow the DTSC to bypass the Alternatives Analysis and directly prohibit manufacturers from selling the Priority Product in California. The state regulatory agency states that it is following this approach for three reasons. First, adequate alternatives are available on the cleaning products market, allowing retailers to transition with ease. Second, the DTSC identifies a plethora of publicly available documents that report the use, hazards, and alternatives for products containing HF. Finally, it cites the well-documented severity of the hazards associated with HF exposure.

If the regulation is finalized, the responsibility to comply will primarily fall on manufacturers. In the case that a manufacturer fails to comply, the responsibility may shift to importers, assemblers, or retailers after notification from the DTSC. The DTSC expects that the proposed regulation will become effective in the second half of 2027.

The DRSC clarifies that this restriction includes ceasing all sales to California retailers but will not impact existing inventory of the Priority Product held by distributors or retailers obtained prior to the rule’s effective date.

DTSC regulates nail plasticizer

The DTSC’s TPhP regulation requires the listing of nail products containing TPhP at concentrations greater than 250 ppm and states that manufacturers must submit a Priority Product Notification (PPN) by November 30, 2026.

A PPN is a DTSC-mandated compliance submission that formally registers the product as containing a “Chemical of Concern.” This notification states the justification, substitution, or removal of the ingredient.

Additionally, after submitting the PPN, manufacturers must submit follow-up documentation by March 30, 2027. By this deadline, manufacturers must notify intent or confirmation of the chemical’s removal, the product’s removal, or a product-chemical replacement, or a Preliminary Alternatives Analysis Report.

TPhP is used in nail products as a plasticizer in nail coatings and nail treatments to provide flexibility and durability. According to the DTSC, the ingredient carries the risk of adverse effects on the general population, with particular vulnerability in nail salon workers, women, infants, children, and disproportionately impacted communities.