Q1 program updates

May 7, 2025

Test requirement updates for lip and oral care products 

Because of concerns about incidental ingestion, lip and oral care products now require results from product-level lead tests. This update replaces ingredient-level restrictions for ingredients such as minerals and types of clay with known or suspected lead contamination. 

Statement of clarification about botanical ingredients in personal care products

The EWG Verified data requirements for botanical ingredients have been updated to clarify that only novel ingredients with limited data must submit composition information. EWG may request data about an ingredient because it is new to the program, because other safety data is lacking, or because it is used in a product with few other ingredients.

Updated text:

“For products new to our database that contain ingredients with limited data, EWG may request additional human health data from the brand. For botanical ingredients where EWG has limited data, brands will be asked to submit composition information about the botanical ingredient(s) in their products.”

The previous criteria document, as published in 12/2024:

“For products that have ingredients with limited data, EWG may request additional human health data from the brand. Due to the variable composition of many botanical ingredients, brands will be asked to submit composition information for the botanical ingredient(s) used in their products.”

Clarification about labels on eczema products 

EWG allows eczema product submissions to the EWG Verified program. But most other medical and semi-medical product categories, including “anti-itch” and ”anti-rash” cream, are not eligible for licensing.

Identifiable eczema products products that comply with FDA over-the-counter regulations for eczema products may make statements about their use for skin irritation and itching due to eczema, rashes, insect bites, or exposure to poison ivy, oak or sumac.

Reduced product level allergen and irritation scoring update through human repeated insult patch tests 

In EWG’s evaluation of ingredient hazards, an ingredient's likelihood to lead to irritation or allergy contributes to the overall ranking of a product. Formulation mixtures with more than one ingredient that has evidence of irritation result in higher irritation and allergen scores. 

Companies may choose to conduct additional tests to assess a product's potential to sensitize and irritate the skin. Negative test results will be used to downweight this portion of the hazard rating by 50 percent. 

EWG recently updated the EWG Verified personal care product program criteria to include details about human repeated insult patch test, or HRIPT, requirements that can be used to substantiate the lack of skin sensitization and irritation.

EWG requires that an HRIPT meet the following criteria:

  • At least 50 participants must complete all parts of the tests.
  • The tests must demonstrate that no reactions related to the product were identified.
  • The tests must be conducted on the formulation for which the HRIPT is being submitted.
  • Leave-on products may not be diluted for patch tests. Rinse-off products are permitted to be diluted 1:10 for patch tests.
  • In keeping with our documentation requirements, noted under Criterion 5, the HRIPT should be dated within the past three years.

Toothpastes with fluoride

With the recent inclusion of OTC toothpaste products in EWG Verified, we are updating our criteria to align with FDA over-the-counter regulations. 

OTC toothpaste products are not required to add a label that states, “Due to fluoride toxicity concerns, this ingredient cannot be used in products marketed for use on babies or children.”

Update to enzyme restrictions

Enzymes are respiratory sensitizers and until this update were prohibited in spray and loose powder products in the personal care product program. Our updated restriction states that enzymes can now be used in liquid form or encapsulated low dust solid form, with a minimum mean diameter of 0.15 millimeters. In addition, spray bottles with a foaming-only nozzle setting are allowed.

Mattresses criteria – heavy metal limit update

In fibers and textiles, the limit for extractable antimony was updated to 30 ppm, and the limit for extractable cobalt was updated to 1 ppm. Tin was removed from the list of extractable heavy metals required for tests of fibers and textiles.

Cleaners criteria – product human repeated insult patch test update 

EWG will allow an HRIPT to substantiate ingredient level GHS H317 dermal sensitization-based concentration restrictions for cleaning products with product level tests showing the formulation is non-sensitizing. 

Any submitted HRIPT used to substantiate a Cleaning Products Program restriction must meet the following criteria:

  • At least 50 participants must complete all parts of the tests.
  • The tests must show that no product-related reactions were identified.
  • The tests must be conducted on the formulation for which the HRIPT is submitted.
  • Leave-on products may not be diluted for patch tests. Rinse-off products are permitted to be diluted 1:10 for patch tests.
  • The HRIPT should be dated within the past three years.

Annual science review and standards update

December 24, 2024

By Samara Geller, Senior Director of Cleaning Science

We have finalized our 2024 science review and criteria update. The updated criteria, including lists of unacceptable and restricted ingredients for each program, are:

What this means for our current EWG Verified brands: Individual members of EWG Verified will be notified if their product requires additional review or substantiation as a result of these updates. As a reminder, we review only those products that are close to the end of their EWG Verified contract. 

Note: Scores in Skin Deep may not reflect our science review changes immediately.

EWG will host a town hall (date to be announced) to introduce our updates for personal care, cleaning, pet grooming, and diaper products, and to answer questions. We will announce key changes and clarifications to our criteria documents and our lists of unacceptable and restricted ingredients. Some highlights include:

  • Category updates/expansions for personal care product wipes and over-the-counter eczema products
  • Pet grooming products
  • Aromatic amines

EWG has screened authoritative lists and core toxicity datasets for new or changed listings, to determine the need for   potential updates to our database scoring and lists of unacceptable and restricted ingredients. This includes but is not limited to:

  • European Union Annex II
  • Canada’s Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist 

For questions about our updates, please contact [email protected].

Updated EWG Verified® ingredient restriction: Salicylic acid

April 3, 2024

By Alexa Friedman, Senior Scientist

The EWG Science Team has revised our restriction for salicylic acid after rigorous review of the latest toxicological and safety data, regulations and scientific opinions about its use in cosmetics. The updated restriction increased the maximum concentration from 0.2%, to 0.5% for use. Product type exclusions apply. The interim EWG Verified restriction is as follows:

  • Based on an EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) opinion on salicylic acid, the interim EWG decision for maximum safe concentration of use is 0.5% for use as a preservative or not as a preservative. Not to be used in oral products, products where inhalation exposure is possible (powders or sprays), or in products intended for use in children younger than 3 years old.

This standard, which is based on the maximum exposure levels and aggregate safety assessment provided by the SCCS, is considered protective. This new restriction is effective as of March 29, 2024, and will be applied to all products currently undergoing review, all future reviews and all resubmitted reviews.


Thank you for choosing EWG and EWG Verified®. For questions about our update, please contact [email protected]

Annual science review and standards update

December 12, 2023

By Samara Geller, Senior Director of Cleaning Science

Our 2023 science review and criteria update is finalized. Our updated criteria, including lists of unacceptable and restricted ingredients for each program are below:

What this means for our current EWG Verified brands: Individual members of EWG Verified will be notified if their EWG Verified product requires additional review or substantiation as a result of  these updates. As a reminder, we review only those products that are close to the end of their contract. Note: Scores in Skin Deep� may not reflect changes immediately.

EWG will host a town hall in January 2024 to preview our updates for personal care, cleaning and diaper products and to answer questions. We will announce key changes and clarifications to our criteria documents and our lists of unacceptable and restricted ingredients. Highlights will include:

  • Retinol and retinoids
  • Green tea extract
  • Synthetic beeswax 
  • Mango seed butter
  • Alkyl polyglucosides 
  • Updated approach to concentrates of cleaning and personal care products.  

Authoritative lists and core toxicity datasets screened for new or changed listings for potential updates to our database scoring and lists of unacceptable and restricted ingredients, including but not limited to:

  • Cosmetic Ingredient Review  
  • European Union Annexes II and III 
  • Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of chemicals and Community Rolling Action Plan carcinogens, mutagens and reproductive toxicants
  • International Agency for Research on Cancernewest monographs

For questions about our update, please contact [email protected].