Mind the Store Campaign 2018 includes phasing out of methylene chloride, PFAS and ortho-phthalates in textiles and clothing, by Jairo Andrade Junior

A campaign that evaluates the efforts of US retailers to eliminate toxic chemicals is widening its net in 2018, to assess more companies and sectors.

The Mind the Store coalition of NGOs has produced a ‘retailer report card’ for the past two years, ranking companies on criteria such as chemical policy, transparency and continuous improvement. Its 2018 retailer report card will be published in November 2018.

The priorities of the Mind the Store Campaign in 2018 include phasing out methylene chloride, PFASs, ortho-phthalates.

Campaign 2018 will pursue direct results in reducing chemical footprint and replacing chemicals of high concern with safer alternatives.

Particular emphasis will be placed on encouraging retailers to phase out those chemicals of high concern which are currently neglected by federal agencies.

These include:

? methylene chloride;

? perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs); and

? ortho-phthalates.

Last year, the US EPA announced plans to ban methylene chloride in paint strippers under a section 6 TSCA rule, but the proposals were later shelved.

The perfect moment for retailers to exhibit leadership and send the market a signal that they intend to abandon products that contain methylene chloride. And the campaign would welcome the commercial introduction of alternatives that work just as well.

PFASs

There is a growing body of research which shows PFASs are persistent, mobile and toxic (PMT). The campaign will encourage those in the textiles sector to follow the lead of Swedish retailer Ikea, which phased out the use of PFAS compounds in its textiles in 2016. The campaign will also focus on the presence of PFASs in food packaging and in the food supply.

Ortho-phthalates

The primary pathway of exposure to ortho-phthalates is through the food chain. They have been banned for most food contact uses in the European Union, but not in the United States. The retailers could play a role in phasing them out as had already been seen in the flooring sector.

In 2015 a Home Depot demonstrated when they worked with their suppliers to phase out phthalates in vinyl flooring and others followed quickly.

Flame Retardants

Retailers have been instrumental in the widespread voluntary phase-out of halogenated flame retardants in the residential upholstered furniture sector. There is now growing hazard and exposure data about triaryl phosphates which are dominant in the market and need further attention.

Mind the Store Campaign 2018 will focus on encouraging retailers to phase out flame retardants in children’s products, electronics and household appliances.

In addition, the campaign will focus on further alignment with the Chemical Footprint project, an initiative of the NGO Clean Production Action and other partners, which helps corporations measure their progress on transitioning to safer chemicals.

Brands and retailers often find answering countless consumer, NGO, and brand surveys a tiresome exercise. But it is important for consumers to receive signals from the market about safer chemicals management.