Last updated: March 9, 2026
This Stony Brook guide is part of our Commercial Cleaning Services resource library.← View the full NYS Part 226: VOC Limits That Affect Every Cleaning Company in New York guide
What Is NYS DEC Part 226?
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Part 226 establishes limits on Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in consumer and commercial products — including cleaning solvents, degreasers, glass cleaners, and general-purpose cleaners used by janitorial companies. VOCs contribute to ground-level ozone formation, which causes respiratory harm and violates federal Clean Air Act standards. Part 226 sets enforceable VOC content limits (measured as grams of VOC per liter of product) for each product category. Using non-compliant products in New York is a violation regardless of whether the product was purchased out of state.
VOC Limits for Common Cleaning Products
Part 226 specifies maximum VOC content by product category. These are the limits most relevant to commercial cleaning operations:
- General Purpose Cleaner — Maximum 0.5% VOC by weight for ready-to-use products
- Glass Cleaner — Maximum 4.0% VOC by weight
- Heavy-Duty Hand Cleaner — Maximum 8.0% VOC by weight
- Bathroom and Tile Cleaner — Maximum 5.0% VOC by weight
- Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner — Maximum 0.1% VOC by weight
- Floor Polish and Finish — Maximum 7.0% VOC by weight for resilient flooring products
- Degreaser (non-aerosol) — Maximum 3.5% VOC by weight
Why This Matters for Your Facility
Part 226 compliance is the cleaning vendor's responsibility — but the consequences affect your facility too. If inspectors find non-compliant products being used in your building, both the vendor and the facility operator can face enforcement action. Beyond regulatory risk, high-VOC cleaning products degrade indoor air quality, which matters especially in healthcare, childcare, laboratory, and food service environments where occupants are vulnerable.
How to Verify Your Cleaning Vendor Is Compliant
Most facility managers never check their cleaning vendor's chemical inventory. Here is how to verify compliance without becoming a chemist:
- Request the product list — Ask your cleaning vendor for a complete list of every product they use in your facility, including brand names and product numbers
- Check Safety Data Sheets (SDS) — Section 9 of the SDS includes VOC content. Compare against Part 226 limits for the product category
- Look for low-VOC certifications — Products with Green Seal (GS-37 or GS-53), EPA Safer Choice, or UL ECOLOGO certifications typically comply with Part 226 limits
- Require substitution reporting — If your vendor switches products, they should notify you and provide the SDS for the new product before using it
- Include Part 226 compliance in your cleaning contract — Make VOC compliance an explicit contractual requirement, not an assumption
Special Considerations for Sensitive Environments
Certain facilities have even stricter practical requirements beyond Part 226 minimums:
- Laboratories and Cleanrooms — High-VOC solvents can contaminate air quality readings, interfere with sensitive experiments, and compromise cleanroom classifications (ISO 14644-1)
- Medical Offices — Patients with respiratory conditions (asthma, COPD) are disproportionately affected by VOCs. Low-VOC products protect patients and reduce liability
- Daycares and Schools — Children are more susceptible to VOC exposure than adults. Green Seal GS-37 certified products are the practical standard for childcare environments
- Food Service and Manufacturing — VOC residue on food preparation surfaces creates FDA compliance risk in addition to DEC enforcement risk