26. Aug 2026
California extends spray-foam requirements to six manufacturers
California regulators have extended the state’s safety and product-stewardship requirements for spray polyurethane foam containing unreacted MDI to six additional manufacturers.
The California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) issued final determination notices on August 21 to Natural Polymers, Everest Systems, Green Valley Products, Firestable Insulation Company, Quadrant Performance Materials and PolyCon.
The notices require the companies to implement three regulatory responses covering product information, applicator training and funding for research into safer alternatives.
Manufacturers must add information about the hazards and safe use of spray-PU systems to external packaging, with further information provided inside the packaging and on product websites. This requirement must be implemented within 18 months.
Within 12 months, manufacturers must also amend sales agreements so that purchasers or their agents attest that applicators will complete appropriate health and safety training before using the products.
The third measure requires manufacturers to contribute $0.02 for every pound of applicable spray-foam product sold in California to the state’s Green Chemistry and Engineering Innovation Fund. Payments will continue for five years and finance research into safer alternatives or engineering measures that could reduce exposure to MDI.
The requirements apply to two-component spray-PU systems sold or distributed together, in which one component contains unreacted methylene diphenyl diisocyanate. DTSC said the measures are intended to reduce potential exposure among professional applicators and users of do-it-yourself systems. The rules do not apply to polyurethane foam after it has been sprayed and cured.
California designated spray-PU systems containing unreacted MDI as a Priority Product under its Safer Consumer Products program in 2018. Subsequent alternatives analyses found insufficient information to identify a functionally acceptable and technically feasible substitute.
DTSC issued its original final determination establishing the three regulatory responses in October 2025. The Spray Foam Coalition disputed parts of the decision, including the research levy and some of the proposed warnings.
The regulator and the coalition reached an agreement in February 2026. A revised determination retained the three principal measures while making changes agreed between the parties.
DTSC said all manufacturers introducing covered spray-foam systems into the California market must comply with the determination.