Petition: Require Toxicity Labels on Plants and Fragrance Products

To: The U.S. Congress and Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)

Every day, people bring plants and fragrance products into their homes without knowing the dangers they may pose to themselves, their children, or their pets. Currently, there is no federal requirement for companies to clearly label if their products are toxic when ingested, inhaled, or absorbed. This lack of transparency puts families and family pets at risk.

The Problem:

Many common plants—such as lilies, azaleas, philodendrons, and sago palms—are extremely toxic to cats and dogs, yet they are sold without warnings.
Essential oils like tea tree, eucalyptus, peppermint, and citrus can cause seizures, organ damage, or even death in pets.
Candles, wax melts, air fresheners, and sprays often contain chemicals or oils that can trigger asthma, migraines, and allergic reactions in humans. Some compounds are linked to long-term health risks like endocrine disruption.
Consumers deserve to know these risks before making a purchase.

The Hidden Dangers of Fragrances and Plants for Pets

Fragrance products don’t just pose a risk if ingested—they can harm pets simply through inhalation. Essential oils, candles, air fresheners, wax melts, and plug-in diffusers release particles and volatile compounds into the air. While these may smell pleasant to us, they can overwhelm a pet’s sensitive respiratory system.

Cats are especially at risk because their livers cannot break down many of the compounds found in oils and synthetic fragrances. Even breathing in small amounts over time can cause drooling, coughing, difficulty breathing, lethargy, or more serious health issues.
Dogs are also vulnerable, and prolonged exposure can lead to respiratory distress, neurological symptoms, Cancer, death, or organ damage.

Common house plants and outdoor plants pose similar dangers. Many common varieties—including lilies, azaleas, and poinsettias—are extremely toxic to cats and dogs if chewed on or ingested. Yet these plants are sold every day without any warning to consumers.

All fragrances and plants should be required to carry clear, visible labels stating whether they are safe for pets or toxic. Families deserve transparency so they can make informed decisions and protect their animals from preventable harm. This simple change could save countless pet lives.

Not all scents and plants are dangerous—many are perfectly safe for pets. For example, certain pet-safe candles and diffusers are already made without harmful essential oils, and non-toxic plants like spider plants are safe choices for homes with cats and dogs. The problem is that consumers often can’t tell the difference because there are no clear labels. That’s why we need simple, visible labeling so families know what’s safe and what’s toxic before they buy.

The Change We Demand:

We call on lawmakers to create a federal law requiring that:

All plants sold for indoor or outdoor use must be labeled if toxic to humans or pets.
All fragrance products (essential oils, candles, wax melts, sprays, diffusers, and air fresheners) must carry warnings if they pose health risks when ingested, inhaled, or absorbed. These labels must indicate if these products contain ingredients that are harmful to pets. 

Labels must be clear, consistent, and visible on all packaging, tags, or product descriptions—both in stores and online.

Why It Matters:

This simple step could save lives. Clear warning labels would allow families to make safe choices for their households, prevent accidental poisonings, and protect pets who rely on us for their safety. No one should unknowingly bring harm into their home.

Join Us:

By signing this petition, you are calling on Congress and the Consumer Product Safety Commission to put safety first. Together, we can demand transparency, accountability, and protection for families and pets nationwide.