Climate & Environment
Restricted Substances List (RSL)
Definition
A restricted substances list is a document specifying chemicals that must not be present in finished products, or only below set limits — covering substances such as azo dyes, formaldehyde, phthalates, heavy metals and PFAS. Brands and retailers impose RSLs contractually on suppliers, testing products for compliance; a manufacturing restricted substances list (MRSL) goes upstream, restricting chemicals used in production processes themselves.
References
This reference provides supporting context for how “Restricted Substances List (RSL)” is defined and used.
Source imported for editorial provenance.
Overview
How it is used
The concept structures chemical management in consumer goods supply chains, product compliance programmes, and green chemistry substitution strategies.
Why it matters
RSLs are how chemical safety travels from regulation into millions of products — private governance filling the gaps and moving faster than public regulation.