PFAS

Overview:

• PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), also known as “forever chemicals,” have garnered significant attention for their environmental and health risks.
• These chemicals harm the environment, which makes them a priority for regulation.
• Click here to read more about PFAS.

State-Level Regulations

• States like Minnesota, Colorado, and Washington are leading the charge, banning PFAS in many products starting in January 2025.

Betco’s Response

• Betco has been proactive, reformulating floor care products to comply with these new laws while maintaining high performance standards. Our commitment to sustainability drives us to create solutions that are both effective and safe for the environment.
• Our Research and Development Team is constantly innovating to ensure our products not only meet, but exceed, these regulatory expectations.

Modernization of Cosmetic Regulation Act (MoCRA)

• MoCRA, enacted in late 2022 to further expand FDA oversight, enhances safety standards for cosmetic products, requiring manufacturers to register facilities, submit product listings, maintain Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), and report adverse events.
• This legislation ensures greater transparency and accountability in the cosmetics industry, providing consumers with peace of mind about the safety and quality of their products.
• Click here to learn more about MoCRA.

Betco’s Response

• For over 30 years, our facility has operated under GMP standards, ensuring the highest quality and safety of our products.
  • We strictly follow GMP guidelines for the manufacture, fill, and shipment of hand hygiene products.
• All of our cosmetic products, which include skin cleansers, were registered well before the July 2024, deadline, ensuring full compliance with MoCRA regulations.
• By confirming our compliance with MoCRA requirements, we guarantee the safety and quality of every cosmetic product we produce.

FDA Compliance

• The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires companies to submit formula and labeling information for over the counter (OTC) products like antibacterials and hand sanitizers, as well as cosmetics like skin cleansers.

• These products must be registered with the FDA.
• In Canada, the equivalent of the FDA is Health Canada, which has the same mandate of manufacturers of OTC products.
• This ensures products meet strict safety, quality, and labeling standards.

• Betco ensures all required data is submitted to the FDA and Health Canada, ensuring that our products meet regulatory standards in both countries.

Extended Producer Responsibility

• Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws require suppliers of certain products to track and report the products they ship, often attaching fees based on packaging materials like rigid plastic containers.  
• EPR shifts some waste management burden from consumers to whose name is on the label, making companies like Betco and our private label customers responsible for managing the entire lifecycle of their products. 

• States such as New Jersey have already implemented these requirements.
• Others like Washington and Maine are following suit with similar legislation.

• At Betco, we carefully manage the reporting and compliance process to ensure we meet these obligations while staying transparent with our customers about the cost and sustainability efforts involved. 
• We guide private label customers through the complexities of EPR compliance, ensuring their products meet all regulatory requirements with ease.
• This is part of our broader focus on chemical compliance systems that govern our operations. 
• By addressing EPR, we help reduce environmental impact and ensure that our products are managed responsibility from production to disposal. 

From PFAS restrictions to federal and state regulations, Betco has your back by meeting these challenges head-on, ensuring safety, sustainability, and compliance at every step.

 

Phosphates and 1,4-Dioxane

• Phosphate bans and limits on 1,4-Dioxane in cleaning products reflect ongoing efforts to protect the environment from hazardous chemicals.

• Phosphate bans are in place in several states, and in New York, stringent regulations limit the amount of 1,4-Dioxane allowed in cleaning and personal care products. 
• Proposition 65 in California specifically targets chemicals known to cause cancer or reproductive harm.

• Betco actively formulates products to meet or exceed these standards, delivering safe and effective solutions for our customers while ensuring compliance with regional regulations.
• We are committed to ensuring our formulations are compliant.

Disinfectant Registrations

• Disinfectant products are subject to both federal and state regulations. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandates product registration, and states often require additional annual renewals, reporting, and fees. 

• In California, for example, quarterly payments are required based on the amount of each disinfectant sold into the state.

• Navigating these requirements is critical to ensuring the availability of safe, effective disinfectants that meet regulatory standards. 
• Betco’s dedicated regulatory team ensures that all Betco-labeled disinfectant products are registered and compliant across every state our customers operate in, providing confidence in their efficacy and safety. For many private label customers, Betco also supports state registrations; however, some private label customers are responsible for updating their labels to comply with the states in which they operate.

• This careful attention to detail helps us maintain Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals compliance and adhere to broader chemical industry regulatory compliance standards, ensuring we stay ahead of any regulatory changes.

OSHA Hazard Communication Standard

• Changes to OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard, based on updates to the Globally Harmonized System (GHS), are set to take effect in 2027. These updates will impact:
  • Hazard classification
  • Labeling requirements
  • Safety Data Sheets (SDS) content
• These changes aim to improve workplace safety, make hazard communication easier to understand, and align U.S. standards with international regulations, reducing complexity for global businesses.

• Betco is proactively preparing for these changes.
• All product classifications, labels, and SDS are being updated to meet the 2027 standards.
• Customers can rely on Betco to deliver fully compliant products without disruption, ensuring trust and confidence in our offerings.

VOCs

• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are found in various product categories such as cleaning products and floor coatings.
• In cleaning products, VOCs help dissolve and remove dirt, grease, and grime by breaking them down. In floor coatings, they act as solvents that help spread the finish evenly and ensure it dries smoothly.
• When the compounds are evaporated into the air, they can contribute to poor indoor air quality and smog formation, potentially causing respiratory issues during high exposure.

• VOC limits are regulated by both federal and state governments, with limits varying based on the product category, to mitigate health and environmental risks.
• Certain states, like California, have stricter VOC limits than federal guidelines.

• Betco monitors and adjusts formulations to ensure compliance with all applicable VOC limits across North America.
• Sports Zone^® offers water-based wood floor finishes that have half as much VOC content as traditional oil modified urethane.

Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)

• The EPA has banned the use of trichloroethylene (TCE) and strict limitations on perchloroethylene (PCE) under the TSCA.
• These VOCs have been widely used in heavy-duty cleaners, degreasers, and industrial applications, but are linked to serious health and environmental risks.

• We do not utilize TCE or PCE in any product formulations, reinforcing our commitment to sustainability and regulatory compliance.
• We support the EPA’s initiative to eliminate hazardous chemicals and prioritize safer alternatives.

DOT Regulations

• The Department of Transportation (DOT) requires shippers to properly classify, label, and describe hazardous materials on Bills of Lading (BOL), ensuring safe transport.
• BOL is a legal document issued by a carrier to a shipper, outlining the details of the goods being transported:
  • Confirms the carrier has received the goods in good condition from the shipper for transportation.
  • Serves as a contract between the shipper and carrier, specifying the terms and conditions, destination, and handling requirements.
  • Acts as a document of title, giving the person holding it the legal right to claim ownership of the goods.

• Shippers must comply with specific packaging and labeling requirements for hazardous products.

• The Shipping Team is trained to accurately identify and package hazardous materials according to DOT standards, ensuring safe and compliant transportation.
• Upcoming Changes: DOT Reclassifications
• In 2027, the DOT will implement new reclassifications for aerosols, requiring updated hazard classifications and handling procedures.
• Betco is preparing for these changes by training our shipping teams and updating our processes to comply with the new regulations for aerosol products.

International Shipping and Certifications

• Shipping products internationally adds another layer of complexity to regulatory compliance. 
• These codes ensure that products are accurately categorized for customs and tariff purposes and getting them right is crucial for smooth global trade.

• International regulations require adherence to standards such as Harmonized Tariff Codes and compliance with agreements like Classification, Labeling, and Packaging (CLP).

• Additionally, Betco’s shipping and regulatory teams work diligently to ensure smooth global operations while adhering to complex international standards such as Classification, Labeling, and Packaging (CLP) compliance and requirements related to the Substances of Very High Concern 224 list. 
• This helps us ensure that our products meet the highest safety and environmental substances in every market we operate it.

WERCS Compliance

• The Worldwide Environmental Regulatory Compliance Solutions (WERSC) is an independent organization used by manufacturers to manage and verify product compliance with various environmental, health, and safety regulations, like the ones mentioned above.
• They handle data related to product safety, labeling, hazardous material classifications, and compliance with both domestic and international regulatory standards. 
• This system ensures that products meet the necessary requirements to be sold through major retailers and distribution channels.

• SDS: Ensures that products have up-to-date and compliant SDS.
• Hazardous Materials Classification: Helps categorize products based on the presence of hazardous chemicals.
• Labeling Requirements: Ensures that products comply with labeling standards, providing information about hazards, ingredients, and proper usage.
• Chemical Reporting: Assists in tracking and reporting chemicals used in products.
• Retailer-Specific Requirements: Helps retailers maintain a compliant supply chain.
• Transportation: Ensures compliance with DOT regulations regarding the shipping of hazardous materials.
• Sustainability and Environmental Regulations: Verifies that products meet various environmental regulations

• Betco invests in maintaining WERCS compliance for its products, ensuring they meet the necessary regulatory standards required by retailers. While the majority of Betco products are registered with WERCS, not all products fall under this requirement.
• This allows our products to be available through key retail and distribution partners.

Earning Third-Party Certifications

• Third-party certifications, such as Safer Choice, Green Seal®, and EcoLogo, require rigorous evaluations to ensure products meet stringent environmental and safety standards.
• These certifications extend beyond standard chemical regulatory compliance, providing an extra layer of confidence in product quality, safety, and sustainability.

• Betco is committed to achieving these certifications’ high standards, demonstrating our dedication to environmental stewardship and product excellence.
• By earning these certifications, we offer valuable assurances to our customers about the quality and environmental friendliness of our products.
• These initiatives align our offerings with global environmental goals, ensuring that customers can trust our products to be both effective and sustainable.

Ingredient Disclosure Programs

• Transparency in ingredient disclosure has become a crucial aspect of regulatory compliance, driven by both federal and state initiatives.

• California Right to Know Act: Mandates detailed ingredient disclosure for cleaning products sold in the state.

• Betco leads the way with a dynamic ingredient disclosure website that provides real-time updates on the ingredients in our products.
• Unlike competitors that rely on static Safety Data Sheets (SDS), Betco’s website is transparent, accessible, and continuously updated to reflect the latest regulatory changes.
• Each product page includes a direct link to “Ingredients” under “SDS and Resources,” ensuring customers can easily access the information they need. 

Paint Care Fees

• Paint Care fees are designed to fund the responsible disposal, recycling, and management of leftover paint, which can be hazardous if not handled properly.

• States with Paint Care programs, like California and Washington, require manufacturers to pay fees based on the number of architectural coatings sold into the state.
• Fees are typically paid monthly.

• Due to Betco’s vast line of floor coatings, we ensure timely payment of these fees and manage all reporting, ensuring full compliance with state regulations.

Staying Ahead of the Regulatory Curve

Contact Us

For any questions, please fill out the form below to contact a knowledgeable expert on Betco’s dedicated regulatory team.