An ingredient that meets the DfE Criteria for Safer Chemical Ingredients is an ideal candidate for use in a cleaning product recognized by the EPA Design for the Environment (DfE) Formulator Program. Ingredients that do not meet the DfE Criteria may still be considered by the Formulator Program on a case-by-case basis.

Criteria for the DfE Surfactant Screen include:

1. Full component disclosure to EPA or approved 3rd party reviewer. Ingredients are evaluated based on the individual components.
2. Submission of biodegradability test data or clearly referenced data on each component. These data may not be modeled; however, close analogues may be submitted.
3. Ideally, three data points for each component on aquatic toxicity. Modeled data may be used and may be determined by the supplier or by the U.S. EPA. All components, except those that are readily biodegradable¹, will be screened for the potential to biodegrade without products of concern².

Aquatic Toxicity Level (L/E/IC50 Value)	Ideal DfE Candidate
≤1 ppm	May be acceptable if biodegradation occurs within a 10-day window
>1 ppm and ≤10 ppm	Biodegradation occurs within a 10-day window
>10 ppm	Biodegradation occurs within 28 days without products of concern2

¹http://www.erasm.org/position/Paper13-030423CouncilSumry2.pdf
²Products of concern are compounds classified by GHS as Acute Category 1 or 2 for aquatic toxicity and that are not ultimately biodegradable. (GHS Acute Category 1 or 2 refers to L/E/IC₅₀ ≤ 10ppm. Ultimately biodegradable refers to >60% mineralization in 28days.)