Substance group
What counts as Designated chemicals?
Only California (US state) defines Designated chemicals in its law. Read the definition below. You tell us if your product contains it; we never guess from its name.
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Group
Definitions
(b)“Designated list” means the list of chemicals identified as candidate chemicals that exhibit a hazard trait or an environmental or toxicological endpoint
- Definition
- Designated list means the list of chemicals identified as candidate chemicals that exhibit a hazard trait or an environmental or toxicological endpoint that meets the criteria in regulations adopted by the Department of Toxic Substances Control under Health & Safety Code 25251 et seq., published on the Department's internet website. Intentionally added chemical means a chemical a manufacturer has intentionally added to a product that has a functional or technical effect in the product, including components of intentionally added chemicals and intentional breakdown products of an added chemical that also have a functional or technical effect. Stored membership is partial: the PFAS class (DTSC Candidate Chemicals list, CalSAFER record 22892) only; the other candidate chemicals are not enumerated, so "no PFAS" does not mean "no designated chemical".
- Listed members
- group:pfas
- Source
(b)“Designated list” means the list of chemicals identified as candidate chemicals that exhibit a hazard trait or an environmental or toxicological endpoint
HSC 109010(b) (excerpt) · fetched 2026-10-08California Legislature: HSC 109010(b)(opens in a new tab)
Rules
Rules that use this definition
6 rules.
Bars the “chemical-free” claim unless nothing of the class is intentionally added
On the cookware package
Official text, current to 4 Oct 2026. California Legislature's own statute data (leginfo bulk download, updated 2026-10-04).
- Claim: chemical-free
- Your role: Manufacturer
Depends on: economic operator role
In force since 1 Jan 2024
Applies to products sold on or after 1 Jan 2024
Same claim restriction applied to the cookware package from 2024-01-01.
“Commencing on January 1, 2023, on the internet website for the cookware, and on January 1, 2024, on the cookware package, a manufacturer shall not make a claim that the cookware is free of any specific chemical if the chemical belongs to a chemical group or class identified on the designated list, unless no individual chemical from that chemical group or class is intentionally added”
Bars the “chemical-free” claim unless nothing of the class is intentionally added
On the cookware website
Official text, current to 4 Oct 2026. California Legislature's own statute data (leginfo bulk download, updated 2026-10-04).
- Claim: chemical-free
- Your role: Manufacturer
Depends on: economic operator role
In force since 1 Jan 2023
Applies to products sold on or after 1 Jan 2023
Claim restriction on the cookware website: no claim that the cookware is free of a specific chemical belonging to a designated-list group or class unless no individual chemical from that group or class is intentionally added; treated as a ban conditioned on the claim. Package claims start 2024-01-01 (separate rule).
“Commencing on January 1, 2023, on the internet website for the cookware, and on January 1, 2024, on the cookware package, a manufacturer shall not make a claim that the cookware is free of any specific chemical if the chemical belongs to a chemical group or class identified on the designated list, unless no individual chemical from that chemical group or class is intentionally added”
Not to be sold unless the cookware and its maker meet this law: the label, online listing and website disclosures and the free-of claim rule (HSC 109011-109013)
Official text, current to 4 Oct 2026. California Legislature's own statute data (leginfo bulk download, updated 2026-10-04).
- The cookware contains one or more intentionally added chemicals present on the designated list in the handle or in any product surface that comes into contact with food, foodstuffs, or beverages
In force since 1 Jan 2023
Applies to products sold on or after 1 Jan 2023
HSC 109014 carries no date of its own; it bars sale unless the cookware and its manufacturer comply with this article, whose first duties (109012 website posting, 109013 website free-of claims) start 2023-01-01 and whose label and package duties (109011, 109013) start 2024-01-01. Applies to anyone who sells, offers for sale or distributes the cookware in California, not only the manufacturer.
“Cookware that contains one or more intentionally added chemicals present on the designated list in the handle of the product or in any product surface that comes into contact with food, foodstuffs, or beverages shall not be sold, offered for sale, or distributed in the state unless the cookware and the manufacturer of the cookware comply with this article.”
Disclosure to online listing
The label statement must be visible and legible to the consumer, including on the product listing for online sales.
Official text, current to 4 Oct 2026. California Legislature's own statute data (leginfo bulk download, updated 2026-10-04).
- Sold online
- Your role: Manufacturer
- The cookware contains one or more intentionally added chemicals present on the designated list in the handle or in any product surface that comes into contact with food, foodstuffs, or beverages
Depends on: whether it is sold online, economic operator role
In force since 1 Jan 2024
Applies to products sold on or after 1 Jan 2024
109011(c)(2) keeps this duty even for cookware exempt from the physical label. Start date from 109011(a).
“(b) A manufacturer of cookware sold in the state shall ensure that the statement required on the product label by subdivision (a) is visible and legible to the consumer, including on the product listing for online sales.”
Disclosure to consumer
On the cookware website: a list of all chemicals in the cookware that are also on the designated list, the names of the authoritative lists referenced by DTSC for each, and a link to each authoritative list
Official text, current to 4 Oct 2026. California Legislature's own statute data (leginfo bulk download, updated 2026-10-04).
- Your role: Manufacturer
- The cookware contains one or more intentionally added chemicals present on the designated list in the handle or in any cookware surface that comes into contact with food, foodstuffs, or beverages
Depends on: economic operator role
In force since 1 Jan 2023
Applies to products sold on or after 1 Jan 2023
Applies where the cookware handle or a food-contact surface contains one or more intentionally added chemicals on the designated list. Cookware = durable houseware used in homes and restaurants to prepare, dispense or store food or beverages, incl. pots, pans, skillets, grills, baking sheets, baking molds, trays, bowls and cooking utensils (109010(a)). Section numbers inferred from the brief and extract order.
“Commencing on January 1, 2023, a manufacturer of cookware sold in the state that contains one or more intentionally added chemicals present on the designated list in the handle of the product or in any cookware surface that comes into contact with food, foodstuffs, or beverages shall post on the internet website for the cookware all of the following: (a) A list of all chemicals in the cookware that are also present on the designated list. (b) The names of the authoritative list or lists referenced by the Department of Toxic Substances Control in compiling the designated list on which each chemical in the cookware is present. (c) A link to the internet website for the authoritative list or lists identified pursuant to subdivision (b).”
- Claim ruleUS-CADesignated chemicals as defined in California (US state)
Bars the “chemical-free” claim unless nothing of the class is intentionally added
On the cookware package
Official text, current to 4 Oct 2026. California Legislature's own statute data (leginfo bulk download, updated 2026-10-04).
- Applies when
- Claim: chemical-free
- Your role: Manufacturer
Depends on: economic operator role
- Effective
In force since 1 Jan 2024
Applies to products sold on or after 1 Jan 2024
Same claim restriction applied to the cookware package from 2024-01-01.
- Source
“Commencing on January 1, 2023, on the internet website for the cookware, and on January 1, 2024, on the cookware package, a manufacturer shall not make a claim that the cookware is free of any specific chemical if the chemical belongs to a chemical group or class identified on the designated list, unless no individual chemical from that chemical group or class is intentionally added”
HSC 109013 (excerpt) · fetched 2026-10-08California Legislature: Cal. Health & Safety Code 109000, 109010-109014(opens in a new tab)
- Claim ruleUS-CADesignated chemicals as defined in California (US state)
Bars the “chemical-free” claim unless nothing of the class is intentionally added
On the cookware website
Official text, current to 4 Oct 2026. California Legislature's own statute data (leginfo bulk download, updated 2026-10-04).
- Applies when
- Claim: chemical-free
- Your role: Manufacturer
Depends on: economic operator role
- Effective
In force since 1 Jan 2023
Applies to products sold on or after 1 Jan 2023
Claim restriction on the cookware website: no claim that the cookware is free of a specific chemical belonging to a designated-list group or class unless no individual chemical from that group or class is intentionally added; treated as a ban conditioned on the claim. Package claims start 2024-01-01 (separate rule).
- Source
“Commencing on January 1, 2023, on the internet website for the cookware, and on January 1, 2024, on the cookware package, a manufacturer shall not make a claim that the cookware is free of any specific chemical if the chemical belongs to a chemical group or class identified on the designated list, unless no individual chemical from that chemical group or class is intentionally added”
HSC 109013 (excerpt) · fetched 2026-10-08California Legislature: Cal. Health & Safety Code 109000, 109010-109014(opens in a new tab)
- Sale conditionUS-CADesignated chemicals as defined in California (US state)
Not to be sold unless the cookware and its maker meet this law: the label, online listing and website disclosures and the free-of claim rule (HSC 109011-109013)
Official text, current to 4 Oct 2026. California Legislature's own statute data (leginfo bulk download, updated 2026-10-04).
- Applies when
- The cookware contains one or more intentionally added chemicals present on the designated list in the handle or in any product surface that comes into contact with food, foodstuffs, or beverages
- Effective
In force since 1 Jan 2023
Applies to products sold on or after 1 Jan 2023
HSC 109014 carries no date of its own; it bars sale unless the cookware and its manufacturer comply with this article, whose first duties (109012 website posting, 109013 website free-of claims) start 2023-01-01 and whose label and package duties (109011, 109013) start 2024-01-01. Applies to anyone who sells, offers for sale or distributes the cookware in California, not only the manufacturer.
- Source
“Cookware that contains one or more intentionally added chemicals present on the designated list in the handle of the product or in any product surface that comes into contact with food, foodstuffs, or beverages shall not be sold, offered for sale, or distributed in the state unless the cookware and the manufacturer of the cookware comply with this article.”
HSC 109014 · fetched 2026-10-08California Legislature: Cal. Health & Safety Code 109000, 109010-109014(opens in a new tab)
- DisclosureUS-CADesignated chemicals as defined in California (US state)
Disclosure to online listing
The label statement must be visible and legible to the consumer, including on the product listing for online sales.
Official text, current to 4 Oct 2026. California Legislature's own statute data (leginfo bulk download, updated 2026-10-04).
- Applies when
- Sold online
- Your role: Manufacturer
- The cookware contains one or more intentionally added chemicals present on the designated list in the handle or in any product surface that comes into contact with food, foodstuffs, or beverages
Depends on: whether it is sold online, economic operator role
- Effective
In force since 1 Jan 2024
Applies to products sold on or after 1 Jan 2024
109011(c)(2) keeps this duty even for cookware exempt from the physical label. Start date from 109011(a).
- Source
“(b) A manufacturer of cookware sold in the state shall ensure that the statement required on the product label by subdivision (a) is visible and legible to the consumer, including on the product listing for online sales.”
HSC 109011(b) · fetched 2026-10-08California Legislature: Cal. Health & Safety Code 109000, 109010-109014(opens in a new tab)
- DisclosureUS-CADesignated chemicals as defined in California (US state)
Disclosure to consumer
On the cookware website: a list of all chemicals in the cookware that are also on the designated list, the names of the authoritative lists referenced by DTSC for each, and a link to each authoritative list
Official text, current to 4 Oct 2026. California Legislature's own statute data (leginfo bulk download, updated 2026-10-04).
- Applies when
- Your role: Manufacturer
- The cookware contains one or more intentionally added chemicals present on the designated list in the handle or in any cookware surface that comes into contact with food, foodstuffs, or beverages
Depends on: economic operator role
- Effective
In force since 1 Jan 2023
Applies to products sold on or after 1 Jan 2023
Applies where the cookware handle or a food-contact surface contains one or more intentionally added chemicals on the designated list. Cookware = durable houseware used in homes and restaurants to prepare, dispense or store food or beverages, incl. pots, pans, skillets, grills, baking sheets, baking molds, trays, bowls and cooking utensils (109010(a)). Section numbers inferred from the brief and extract order.
- Source
“Commencing on January 1, 2023, a manufacturer of cookware sold in the state that contains one or more intentionally added chemicals present on the designated list in the handle of the product or in any cookware surface that comes into contact with food, foodstuffs, or beverages shall post on the internet website for the cookware all of the following: (a) A list of all chemicals in the cookware that are also present on the designated list. (b) The names of the authoritative list or lists referenced by the Department of Toxic Substances Control in compiling the designated list on which each chemical in the cookware is present. (c) A link to the internet website for the authoritative list or lists identified pursuant to subdivision (b).”
HSC 109012 · fetched 2026-10-08California Legislature: Cal. Health & Safety Code 109000, 109010-109014(opens in a new tab)
See also
Related
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