Balancing access & safety

Addressing the intentional misuse of aerosol products For an industry built on innovation, convenience and performance, few issues present a greater challenge than balancing product accessibility with public safety. The intentional misuse of legitimate consumer products exemplifies this challenge, existing at the intersection of public health, consumer awareness and responsible product stewardship. The latest National […]

Looking Beyond Bubbles

Modernizing leak detection in aerosol manufacturing When ensuring quality control in aerosol product manufacturing, even the simplest of observations can be valuable—such as watching for bubbles. For decades, the hot water bath test has been one of the industry’s most trusted quality assurance measures. The concept is straightforward: filled aerosol containers pass through a heated […]

PFAS pressure intensifies for spray products

Fluorinated organic compounds, once recognized for their unique chemical properties, are now broadly categorized as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances).i Regulatory scrutiny of this diverse class of chemicals now extends across a wide range of products, including sprays, making PFAS a critical issue for formulators, raw material suppliers, packaging engineers and marketers. For manufacturers of […]

EPR reality check

Packaging producers must act now Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) packaging laws are no longer theoretical constructs in the U.S. They are active, enforceable systems reshaping the financial and operational foundations of recycling and producer responsibility. Yet, recent public disclosures indicate a growing issue—a significant number of producers are not meeting their obligations. This challenge is […]

10th Edition Aerosol Guide

Update delivers clarity, access & industry alignment… As the aerosol products industry continues to evolve, so too must the guidance that supports it. The latest edition of the Household & Commercial Products Association’s (HCPA) Aerosol Guide delivers updated voluntary standards and methods for today’s marketplace. For more than 65 years, the HCPA Aerosol Guide has […]

HCPA publishes Guide to Water Bath Alternatives in the U.S.

For decades, the hot water bath test has been a standard practice in the aerosol products industry. Despite its widespread use, there are alternative methods available in the U.S. that can be implemented without requiring a special permit. The Household & Commercial Products Association (HCPA) recently released the Guide to Water Bath Alternatives in the […]

Regulating aerosol sunscreens in the U.S.

The Winter season often coincides with travel to warmer destinations to escape the cold, where higher UV exposure makes effective sun protection essential, including the use of aerosol sunscreen products. In the U.S., aerosol sunscreens are regulated by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) as an over-the-counter (OTC) drug rather than as a cosmetic product. […]

Aerosol Recycling Initiative update

When developing the Aerosol Recycling Initiativei, the Household & Commercial Products Association (HCPA) and the Can Manufacturers Institute (CMI) envisioned a future where consumers and workers could easily recycle empty aerosol containers and feel confident in the process. With several U.S. States now implementing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policies, and more expected to follow suit, […]

Upcoming Aerosol Reporting Obligations in 2026

This past year has brought a new wave of reporting obligations for companies, largely due to the implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws across the U.S. Companies must now report annually to Circular Action Alliance (CAA)i for covered products in Oregon,ii Coloradoiii and Californiavi—with more States expected to follow suit.v However, EPR is not […]

Vermont HHW EPR Law

The Vermont Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) law—originally enacted in 2023 and amended earlier this year—requires producers of “covered household hazardous products” to join a stewardship organization (SO) to fund the costs of HHW management.i,ii Because no industry-sponsored SO was established to administer the collection plan under the law, the Vermont Agency […]