These Safer Choice Criteria were developed based on the Master Criteria to identify safer colorants, polymers, preservatives and related chemicals, which have preferred human and environmental health profiles. Since longevity is an important functional characteristic of most chemicals in these classes, the key to a safer profile rests with their inherent hazard properties.

To review a polymer for use in labeled products, Safer Choice requires information on molecular weight (MW), percent of residual monomers and oligomers, and monomer ratios if applicable (e.g., for block copolymers). Closer review of potential hazards may be required if the average MW is greater than 10,000 daltons, or if the low MW portion (percent MW that is <1,000) is more than 5%.

• Criteria for Colorants, Polymers, Preservatives, and Related Chemicals (PDF)(3 pp, 74 K)