Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What is the HPCDS?
- Where can I find the HPCDS Terms of Service?
- What web browser should I use with the HPCDS?
- Must I register to use the HPCDS?
- When should I register?
- What states can I report to using the HPCDS?
- I would prefer not to use the HPCDS. May I send my report directly to the state(s)?
- Where can I find Oregon's reporting requirements?
- Where can I find Washington State's reporting requirements?
- How much does it cost to use the HPCDS to report to the states?
- My company is reporting on behalf of another company. Who pays the reporting fees?
- Will I receive email messages requesting credit card payment for submitted reports?
- What does it mean that a user for my company is listed as "Public Contact"?
- Why can't I deactivate a user for my organization?
- What is a function set?
- Why can't I query the database for data for all reporting years?
- Is there an HPCDS glossary?
- Can I save my search preferences, so the site remembers my preferences the next time I visit the site?
- What are my download options regarding HPCDS data?
- What is the difference between a Report ID and a Disclosure ID?
- How do I download the full data set of HPCDS?
- How do I use the HPCDS via API?
Answers
1. What is the HPCDS?
The IC2 High Priority Chemicals Data System (HPCDS) is an online platform that supports reporting of information on the presence of chemicals of concern in children's products required by the Oregon Toxic-Free Kids Act (TFKA) and the Washington Children's Safe Products Act (CSPA).
2. Where can I find the HPCDS Terms of Service?
3. What web browser should I use with the HPCDS?
The HPCDS is optimized for the Chrome browser. It should work with Firefox and Safari (MacOS) but is not guaranteed to work using Internet Explorer (IE). If you are not using Chrome and are having trouble, please install and try Chrome before asking for technical support.
4. Must I register to use the HPCDS?
You do not need an account to search and view the reports manufacturers have submitted to the states. If you are subject to state reporting requirements and need to use the HPCDS to report, you must register.
5. When should I register?
New accounts must be approved, and, because this process requires human intervention, it could take some time. Please expect a delay of at least one business day. Do not wait until just before the reporting due date to register.
6. What states can I report to using the HPCDS?
At this time, you can submit reports to Oregon and Washington through the HPCDS.
7. I would prefer not to use the HPCDS. May I send my report directly to the state(s)?
No. The participating states only accept reports through the HPCDS.
8. Where can I find Oregon's reporting requirements?
9. Where can I find Washington State's reporting requirements?
https://ecology.wa.gov/Waste-Toxics/Reducing-toxic-chemicals/Childrens-Safe-Products-Act
10. How much does it cost to use the HPCDS to report to the states?
Washington State does not assess reporting fees. Oregon does assess reporting fees, and the HPCDS supports payment of those fees during the reporting process. There is no additional fee associated with use of the HPCDS.
11. My company is reporting on behalf of another company. Who pays the reporting fees?
The company submitting a report is responsible for paying all applicable reporting fees. If you are reporting for another company, you can ask that company to reimburse you for the cost of the reporting fees, but that process must occur outside the HPCDS.
12. Will I receive email messages requesting credit card payment for submitted reports?
No. Credit card payments must be made through the HPCDS when reports are submitted. If you receive an email message requesting payment or have questions about payment status, please contact the appropriate state program to confirm.
13. What does it mean that a user for my company is listed as "Public Contact"?
Each company in the HPCDS must have a designated public contact. The public contact should be the person at your company who can answer questions from members of the public regarding the information reported by your company. The public contact's name, title, and contact information will be publicly disclosed with all company reports.
14. Why can't I deactivate a user for my organization?
The first user created for a company is, by default, the company's public contact; this can be changed once a second user has been added to the company's account. The HPCDS does not allow the user designated as the public contact to be deactivated. If you are unable to deactivate a user for your company, make sure that the user is not the public contact. If the user you want to deactivate is the public contact, you must first assign a new public contact for your company.
15. What is a function set?
"Function set" refers to a unique combination of the following pieces of information:
- Product category (brick)
- Product component
- Chemical name and Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Number (CASRN)
- Function of the chemical in the product
- Concentration of the chemical in the product component
16. Why can't I query the database for data for all reporting years?
Queries are limited to four-year periods, unless you restrict your search to specific chemicals, companies, or products. The default date range is the last two years. You can specify a date range of up to four years by selecting a custom date range and specifying your desired start and end dates. To access all reported information, you will need to perform a series of searches, export the results of each search to Excel, and combine them in Excel.
17. Is there an HPCDS glossary?
Yes: https://theic2.org/hpcds_glossary
18. Can I save my search preferences, so the site remembers my preferences the next time I visit the site?
No, this feature is currently not available in HPCDS.
19. What are my download options regarding HPCDS data?
To download data, use the button located at the top of each result table that reads "Export to Excel". Clicking this button will trigger an Excel download of the current queried results in the table. Note that if a query returns zero results, the resultant Excel download will contain zero records.
20. What is the difference between a Report ID and a Disclosure ID?
Draft reports in the HPCDS are assigned numerical Report ID numbers. These Report IDs, along with other report attributes such as Report Name, help manufacturers identify and keep track of draft reports. Once the manufacturer has submitted a report to a state, the report is assigned a unique Disclosure ID. Disclosure IDs start with the relevant two-letter state abbreviation, followed by a hyphen and a seven-character alphanumeric code.
21. How do I download the full data set of HPCDS?
If you are comfortable with the technology, the most straightforward approach is to use the API. If not, you must perform a series of searches, using the HPCDS public search interface, export the results of each search to Excel, and combine them in Excel (or another software tool).
22. How do I access the data via the API?
Public HPCDS data are available via API at https://hpcds.theic2.org/odata/$metadata. The API does not allow you to submit reports or access non-public data.