The California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) is proposing regulation of microplastics in consumer products through its Safer Consumer Products (SCP) Program.

In June 2025, DTSC initiated rulemaking to add microplastics to the SCP Program’s Candidate Chemicals List, and anticipates finalizing the proposed regulation in 2026. The proposed regulation would define microplastics as “plastics that are less than 5 millimeters (mm) in their longest dimension,” and would include (1) primary microplastics, which are manufactured and intentionally added to products (e.g., microbeads in personal-care products) and (2) secondary microplastics generated from the degradation of plastic products such as plastic bags or water bottles. The addition of microplastics to the Candidate Chemical List does not by itself create new regulatory requirements. However, microplastics must be added to that List before DTSC can regulate Priority Products that contain or generate microplastics.

In November 2025, DTSC released a summary of its preliminary research on products that contain or generate microplastics. As part of that effort, DTSC is seeking public feedback by January 30, 2026, on artificial-turf infill, children’s toys, detergents, food-contact articles, plastic-film mulch, single-use cigarette filters, and water-based interior wall paints.

More information on DTSC's rulemaking is available here, and more information on DTSC’s preliminary research and request for public feedback is available here.