Environmental Public Health

Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act

The Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act (SB 546) was passed by the Oregon Legislature during the 2023 legislative session. This law requires manufacturers of cosmetic products to list all chemical ingredients on the company's product webpage and bans the use of ten chemicals used in cosmetic products known to cause health concerns.

The Oregon Health Authority's (OHA) Toxic-Free Cosmetics Program is responsible for implementing this law. OHA's goal is to lower the chances that people, especially children and pregnant people, are exposed to chemicals that can harm their growth, cause cancer, affect their genes or ability to have children, upset hormones, or damage the brain, immune system, or other organs.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is a cosmetic as defined by law?

The law defines a cosmetic as anything intended to be used on the human body for the purpose of:

Cleansing;
Beautifying;
Promoting attractiveness; or
Altering appearance.

Examples of cosmetics as defined by the law include but are not limited to makeup, sunscreen, deodorant, shampoo, nail polish, and lotion.

What is not a cosmetic as defined by law?

The law does not include:

Soap;
Dietary supplements; and
Food and drugs regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

What chemicals are banned by law?

A person may not knowingly manufacture, sell, offer for sale, distribute for sale or distribute for use in this state any cosmetic product that contains any of the following intentionally added chemicals or classes of chemicals above the practical quantification limit:

Ortho-phthalates;
Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances;
Formaldehyde (CAS Registry Number 50-00-0) and formaldehyde releasing agents;
Methylene glycol (CAS Registry Number 463-57-0);
Mercury and mercury compounds (CAS Registry Number 7439-97-6);
Triclosan (CAS Registry Number 3380-34-5);
m-Phenylenediamine and its salts (CAS Registry Number 108-45-2);
o-Phenylenediamine and its salts (CAS Registry Number 95-54-5);
p-Phenylenediamine and its salts (CAS Registry Number 106-50-3).

A person may not knowingly manufacture, sell, offer for sale, distribute for sale or distribute for use in this state any cosmetic product that contains lead or lead compounds (CAS Registry Number 7439-92-1) at 10 parts per million or above, or as otherwise determined by the OHA by rule.

OHA is currently in the process of hiring staff, developing Oregon Administrative Rules, and setting up the program. This website will be updated as progress towards implementing the law continues.