Written on: October 1, 2026 by Doug Raymond
CARB
Big news from the California Air Resources Board (CARB)—Ravi Ramalingam, the Branch Chief for Consumer Products, has announced his retirement, effective Oct. 7, 2026.
RAMALINGAM
Ravi has been running the Consumer Products Program for 13 years and has accomplished much throughout his tenure. First, the largest Consumer Product Survey ever performed by CARB was done in 2013, 2014 and 2015. More than 1,400 companies reported on 491 Consumer Product Categories. Ravi oversaw the finalization of the 2013 rulemakings, as well as the entirety of the 2018 and 2021 rulemakings. Throughout this time, Reactivity had been added into the Consumer Products categories, first with Multi-purpose Lubricants, then with the Innovative Product Exemption (IPE) provisions for Hairspray, Dry Shampoo and Personal Fragrances. To top it off, Ravi had the 2022 State Implementation Plan (SIP) reduction designated as 20 tons per day of Emission Reductions or equivalent added, which means Reactivity can be used. Finally, Ravi’s extensive knowledge of Consumer Products and his deep understanding of the aerosol industry will be sorely missed in current and future rulemakings.
We wish Ravi the best in his retirement.
CARB training
Six industry associations and CARB convened in the State Library (Capitol Mall) in Sacramento, CA, on Aug. 19, for a full-day Industry Technology & Regulatory Training Event. The program provided an in-depth overview of the technical, manufacturing and regulatory considerations involved in formulating and producing high-quality consumer products. The agenda and presenters included:
Welcome, Introductions Doug Raymond, National Aerosol Association
Aerosol Valves Kevin Verville, Summit
Aerosol Containers Erik Bowdish, Sonoco
Propellants Philip Haydel, Aeropres Corp.; Bill Frauenheim, Diversified CPC Intl.
Aerosol R&D Dan Palasky, PLZ Corp
Aerosol Operations Bob Sweger, Stoner, Inc.
Hydrocarbon Solvents Krystal Roberts, ExxonMobil
Isopropyl Alcohol and Ethanol Chris Havanas, Clorox Purell
Polymers and Impact to VOCs Patrizia Barone, Unilever
Fragrance David Dilk, Givaudan; Harman Singh, IFF; Daniel Greenberg, Luke Malvey, Robertet
FIFRA 101 Jamie Quon, Clorox
MoCRA 101 Jacqueline Liou, LVMH
OTC 101 Niyati Oza, L’Oréal
Closing Remarks Nicholas Georges, HCPA
The event brought together representatives from 31 industry companies, along with participants from six industry associations, as well as 15 CARB personnel from Rule Writers & Enforcement. The program prompted valuable discussion and thoughtful questions from CARB, providing greater insight into the complexities of developing and manufacturing high-quality products that consumers value and enjoy while meeting evolving regulatory requirements.
I offer a special thank you to the participating associations—National Aerosol Association (NAA), Household & Commercial Products Association (HCPA), American Cleaning Institute (ACI), Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA), Fragrance Creators Association (FCA) and Personal Care Products Counsel (PCPC)—for their collaboration, expertise and valuable input in helping communicate Industry’s perspective and tell our story.
This collaborative dialogue represented and important step toward strengthening mutual understanding between regulators and Industry and fostering continued cooperation as we move into the rulemaking activities this Fall (please turn to p.14 for further coverage of this event).
This next rulemaking will begin after CARB releases the final Consumer Product Survey Results and the Final Results on the Personal Fragrance Technical Review. The results from these two activities will hopefully provide a path for CARB and Industry to achieve the volatile organic compound (VOC) tonnage emissions required by the SIP and the past rulemaking.
We are hopeful that CARB will release these results in October 2026.
Other State activity
More States and jurisdictions are considering reviewing their Consumer Products VOC Regulations.
District of Columbia: D.C. is considering moving from Ozone Transport Commission (OTC) Model Rule II to OTC Model Rule IV. The timeline is unknown.
Colorado: As mentioned in the September issue, there are two competing agencies in Colorado working on VOC regulations. OTC Model Rule V is a contingency measure and will likely be triggered, but the real question is when. Monitoring is still ongoing.
Maine: The Pine Tree State plans to move its Consumer Products VOC regulation from OTC Model Rule II to OTC Model Rule IV. However, Maine will not move on this regulation until 2027.
Maryland: Maryland will likely move to change its Consumer Products VOC Regulation earlier. As early as this Fall, Industry will likely see a proposal to change the current OTC Model Rule IV to OTC Model Rule V. It will be the first State to actually adopt OTC Model Rule V, as Colorado only has it as a contingency.
Ohio: Ohio has sent out an Early Stakeholder Outreach (ESO). Currently, the Buckeye State is proposing to remain with OTC Model Rule IV. Industry should support this position. SPRAY
