Automotive Products - Advertising - Business & Professions - CA

Section § 17582

This law requires that any engine coolant or antifreeze with more than 10% ethylene glycol sold in California after January 1, 2004, must have a bitter-tasting agent like denatonium benzoate to make it unpalatable. This is to reduce accidental ingestion. Manufacturers need to keep records of the bittering agents used and provide this information to the public if asked. Additionally, companies can't be held liable for incidents caused by the inclusion of the bittering agent unless they acted with deliberate wrongdoing. The law doesn't apply to antifreeze in vehicles or large wholesale containers of 55 gallons or more.

(a) Any engine coolant or antifreeze sold in this state after January 1, 2004, that is manufactured after July 1, 2003, and that contains more than 10 percent ethylene glycol, shall include denatonium benzoate at a minimum of 30 parts per million as a bittering agent within the product so as to render it unpalatable. Another aversive agent may be used if it meets or exceeds the degree of aversion in test subjects obtained by utilizing the formulation of 30 parts per million of denatonium benzoate in antifreeze. Any manufacturer or packager of a product subject to this section shall maintain a record of the trade name, scientific name, and active ingredients of any bittering agent used pursuant to this chapter. Information and documentation maintained pursuant to this section shall be furnished to any member of the public upon request.

(b)

(1) A manufacturer, distributor, recycler, or seller of an automotive product that is required to contain an aversive agent under this section is not liable to any person for any personal injury, death, or property damage that results from the inclusion of denatonium benzoate in ethylene glycol antifreeze.

(2) The limitation on liability provided by this subdivision is only applicable if denatonium benzoate is included in ethylene glycol antifreeze in concentrations mandated by this section.

(3) The limitation on liability provided by this subdivision does not apply if the personal injury, death, or property damage results from willful or wanton misconduct by the manufacturer, distributor, recycler, or seller of the ethylene glycol antifreeze.

(1) The sale of a motor vehicle that contains engine coolant or antifreeze.

(2) Wholesale containers of antifreeze containing 55 gallons or more of the antifreeze.

ethylene glycol denatonium benzoate bittering agent ...