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Safer Choice Program Authorization Act of 2026

USA119th CongressS-4664| Senate 
| Updated: 6/2/2026
Christopher A. Coons

Christopher A. Coons

Democratic Senator

Delaware

Cosponsors (3)
Lisa Blunt Rochester (Democratic)John R. Curtis (Republican)Jon Husted (Republican)

Environment and Public Works Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill, titled the "Safer Choice Program Authorization Act of 2026," formally authorizes the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) voluntary Safer Choice Program and its related Design for the Environment program. The primary purpose is to advance pollution prevention by encouraging the design, manufacture, selection, and use of products formulated with chemical ingredients that are safer for human health and the environment, without compromising product performance. The legislation directs the EPA Administrator to establish procedures for product certification, make determinations on whether products meet the Safer Choice Standard or Design for the Environment Standard , and provide technical assistance to applicants. It also mandates the establishment of criteria for qualified third-party profilers to conduct technical evaluations, ensuring their independence and absence of conflicts of interest. Products seeking certification will be evaluated using a science-based approach considering human health hazards, environmental hazards, product performance, and, where practicable, packaging sustainability. The Administrator is authorized to update these standards to reflect scientific advancements and innovation, following public notice and comment. The bill requires full ingredient disclosure for certification, with appropriate protections for confidential business information. Participation in the program remains voluntary, and the EPA is authorized to allow the use of the Safer Choice and Design for the Environment labels for certified products. The bill prohibits unauthorized or misleading use of these labels, which are designated as marks of the Agency, and grants the Administrator enforcement authority, including referral to the Attorney General for civil action. To ensure transparency, the Administrator must submit an annual report to Congress detailing program implementation, including the number of certified products and significant updates. Additionally, the EPA is required to maintain a publicly accessible database of all products authorized to use the Safer Choice or Design for the Environment labels. The bill authorizes an appropriation of $6,000,000 for each fiscal year from 2028 through 2034 to carry out these provisions.
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Timeline
Jun 2, 2026
Introduced in Senate
Jun 2, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
  • June 2, 2026
    Introduced in Senate


  • June 2, 2026
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Environmental Protection

Safer Choice Program Authorization Act of 2026

USA119th CongressS-4664| Senate 
| Updated: 6/2/2026
This bill, titled the "Safer Choice Program Authorization Act of 2026," formally authorizes the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) voluntary Safer Choice Program and its related Design for the Environment program. The primary purpose is to advance pollution prevention by encouraging the design, manufacture, selection, and use of products formulated with chemical ingredients that are safer for human health and the environment, without compromising product performance. The legislation directs the EPA Administrator to establish procedures for product certification, make determinations on whether products meet the Safer Choice Standard or Design for the Environment Standard , and provide technical assistance to applicants. It also mandates the establishment of criteria for qualified third-party profilers to conduct technical evaluations, ensuring their independence and absence of conflicts of interest. Products seeking certification will be evaluated using a science-based approach considering human health hazards, environmental hazards, product performance, and, where practicable, packaging sustainability. The Administrator is authorized to update these standards to reflect scientific advancements and innovation, following public notice and comment. The bill requires full ingredient disclosure for certification, with appropriate protections for confidential business information. Participation in the program remains voluntary, and the EPA is authorized to allow the use of the Safer Choice and Design for the Environment labels for certified products. The bill prohibits unauthorized or misleading use of these labels, which are designated as marks of the Agency, and grants the Administrator enforcement authority, including referral to the Attorney General for civil action. To ensure transparency, the Administrator must submit an annual report to Congress detailing program implementation, including the number of certified products and significant updates. Additionally, the EPA is required to maintain a publicly accessible database of all products authorized to use the Safer Choice or Design for the Environment labels. The bill authorizes an appropriation of $6,000,000 for each fiscal year from 2028 through 2034 to carry out these provisions.
View Full Text

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Timeline
Jun 2, 2026
Introduced in Senate
Jun 2, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
  • June 2, 2026
    Introduced in Senate


  • June 2, 2026
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Christopher A. Coons

Christopher A. Coons

Democratic Senator

Delaware

Cosponsors (3)
Lisa Blunt Rochester (Democratic)John R. Curtis (Republican)Jon Husted (Republican)

Environment and Public Works Committee

Environmental Protection

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted