Michigan direct-to-consumer compliance guide, 2026
Laundry
Detergents and laundry soaps are non-food consumer products governed by federal labeling.
Non-Food: Federal Labeling- 6%Michigan sales tax on cleaning supplies
- FIFRADisinfectant claims need EPA registration
- FHSAHazard labeling
- OutsideMichigan Food Law
YesWhat's covered
- Laundry powders, liquids, bars and wool washes with ordinary cleaning claims
- Dryer balls, stain sticks and fabric refreshers
- Sales online, at markets and in stores
- Eco-friendly claims that you can substantiate
NoNeeds a different path
- Claims to kill germs, bacteria or viruses: EPA pesticide registration
- Unsubstantiated 'non-toxic' or 'natural' claims: FTC risk
- Selling product with no net quantity or identity on the label
- Food claims on a non-food product
Three compliance steps
- A
Decide whether you make antimicrobial claims
Cleaning is a consumer product. Claiming to disinfect or sanitize makes it a pesticide under FIFRA requiring EPA registration.
- B
Label for consumers
Show product name, net quantity, name and place of business, directions and hazard warnings where the product is a hazardous substance.
- C
Handle tax and packaging
Collect 6% sales tax; Treasury lists cleaning supplies as taxable. Use child-resistant or hazard packaging where federal rules require it.
Quick reference
| Item | Rule | Regulator |
|---|---|---|
| Net quantity, identity | Label on the principal display panel | FTC / FPLA |
| Hazard warnings | Signal words and first aid text for hazardous products | CPSC (FHSA) |
| Antimicrobial claims | Registration as a pesticide before sale | EPA (FIFRA) |
| Green claims | Substantiate 'natural' and 'eco' claims | FTC Green Guides |
| Sales tax | Cleaning supplies are taxable | MI Treasury |
| Food license | Not required; outside Food Law | MDARD |
Frequently asked questions
Can I say my detergent kills 99% of germs?
Not without EPA registration. That is a pesticide claim.
Do I need an MDARD license?
No MDARD food or feed license applies to laundry products, but sales tax does.
Are pods special?
Packaged detergent for consumers can be subject to CPSC packaging rules; confirm before selling pods.
Printable checklist
- List claims and strike any germ-killing claims
- Put name, net quantity and address on each package
- Add hazard warnings required by label review
- Keep supplier safety data sheets
- Check packaging rules for pods or liquids
- Register for sales tax
- Keep batch records