Product Safety Essentials: Selling Cleaning Products

Information and resources to promote safety and help you comply with applicable requirements.

This article is intended as a practical guide for sellers to address common product safety questions. Sellers are ultimately responsible for the safety and compliance of their products.

Friendly disclaimer: If you list products for sale on TuttiReal, you must comply with all federal, state, and local legal requirements and TuttiReal policies applicable to those products and product listings. This information provides an overview regarding non-exhaustive US requirements for educational purposes only, is subject to change over time, and is not legal advice. It is not intended to create, and receipt of it does not constitute, a lawyer-client relationship. The authors, TuttiReal, Inc. and TuttiReal Ireland UC disclaim all responsibility for any and all losses, damages, or causes of action that may arise or be connected with the use of or reliance on these materials. Requirements may vary depending on your location and where you make your products available. TuttiReal reserves the right to remove listings of products that do not comply or that may be unsafe for any other reason. 

What labels are required for cleaning products?

Cleaning products should have clear instructions on use and safety precautions. Various state laws in the US also require ingredient lists. Labels should also include information such as manufacturer or distributor name and contact information and net contents. Information on the labels may not be false or misleading. We reserve the right to request copies of your labels, or ensure that label information is part of your listing.

Are there any required warnings for cleaning products?

If the cleaning product is toxic, corrosive, flammable, combustible, an irritant, a strong sensitizer, or if it contains certain chemicals, such as petroleum distillates, it must include specific warnings on the label under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act (FHSA). There are complex requirements for the type of information required, where it should be placed on the product, and how it should be formatted. Some products that require FHSA warnings may be prohibited under TuttiReal’s Prohibited Items Policy. 

What cleaning products require child resistant packaging?

Cleaning products are a leading cause of child poisoning in the home. Cleaning products containing certain chemicals listed in the CPSC’s regulations under the Poison Prevention Packaging Act (PPPA) must come in a child resistant package. Child resistant packaging is designed to be significantly difficult for children under 5 to open, but easy for adults and seniors to open. The packaging must be tested using a specific test method developed by the CPSC. Child resistant packaging is a very important method of protecting children in the home. For more information on the PPPA requirements, please see the CPSC’s guidance.

Are there limits on the types of claims that can be made about cleaning products?

Any cleaning product claim must be true and not misleading. Additionally, some types of claims might subject products to additional regulatory requirements. Cleaning products that claim to kill insects, bacteria, viruses, mold, or mildew may be considered an insecticide, rodenticide, or fungicide and may be regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and subject to registration, labeling, and other requirements. Some products regulated by the EPA may violate TuttiReal’s Prohibited Items Policy. For more guidance on compliance with these requirements, please see EPA’s pesticides page. 

Are there any cleaning product ingredients which are prohibited from being sold on TuttiReal?

TuttiReal’s Prohibited Items Policy prohibits the sale of hazardous material. Therefore, cleaning products that are, among other things, explosive, flammable, or toxic are prohibited. Cleaning products that contain ingredients that are prohibited under federal, state, or other applicable law may not be sold on TuttiReal. It is your responsibility, as a seller, to understand and follow all relevant requirements. We reserve the right to request information regarding the ingredients of your cleaning products.