How to determine whether a product requires labeling

The Federal Hazardous Substances Act covers products that, during reasonably predictable buying, storage, or use, may be brought into or around a place where people live. Products used or stored in a garage, garden shed, carport, or other building that is part of the household are also covered.

The Act requires hazardous household products to show labeling that alerts consumers to the potential hazards that those products present and that tells them what they need to do to protect themselves and their children from them. Whether a product must be labeled depends on its contents and the likelihood that consumers will be exposed to any dangers it presents.

To require labeling, a product must first be toxic, corrosive, flammable or combustible, an irritant, or a strong sensitizer, or it must generate pressure through decomposition, heat, or other means. Second, the product must have the potential to cause substantial personal injury or substantial illness during or as a result of any customary or reasonably predictable handling or use, including reasonably predictable ingestion by children.

Federal hazardous substances act – US Consumer Product Safety Comission, p. 1.