Safer Chemicals
Behind the Label: a blueprint for safer chemicals
We need a new marketplace paradigm.
The chemicals used in your products and packaging have a direct impact on the health of consumers, the environment and workers; yet, this impact is seldom mentioned in sustainability discussions. Over the last several decades, we have begun to learn that many of the chemicals we rely on today are linked to diseases and disorders like asthma, infertility, and cancer or cause damaging environmental impacts, like toxicity to fish. As we understand more about the connection between chemicals and health, companies face growing risks and opportunities.
Consumers and investors are demanding safer chemicals in products. Regulatory bodies around the globe are trying to play catch-up and restrict or ban toxic chemicals from commerce. But if we want a future built on safer chemicals, government can’t do it alone. We also need companies like yours to lead.
Fortunately, EDF is here to help. Our resources will help build your understanding of the toxic chemicals in consumer products, answer why companies should develop safer chemical strategies, and provide further resources for you to dive deeper.
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Featured Content
Explore Safer Chemicals
Your Chemical Footprint
Explore your "Chemical Footprint": the total amount of chemicals of concern used in your business.
View All Your Chemical Footprint ResourcesPillars of Leadership for a Safer Marketplace
EDF designed the Five Pillars of Leadership as a resource to help companies reduce risk, advance safer products and build consumer trust. The pillars are informed by the best scientific research available and years of experience working with companies to scale best practices.
View All Pillars of Leadership for a Safer Marketplace ResourcesSafer Food
Consumers are increasingly concerned about the substances used to flavor, color, preserve and package their food. Corporate leaders can improve the safety of food additives and contaminants.
View All Safer Food ResourcesSafer Personal Care Products
Demand for safer beauty and personal care products has steadily increased. Many companies, including major retailers and brands, are changing practices and ingredients in response to consumer demands.
View All Safer Personal Care Products ResourcesSafer Cleaning Products
Demand for safer cleaning products has steadily increased. Many companies, including major retailers and brands, are changing practices and ingredients in response to consumer demands.
View All Safer Cleaning Products ResourcesSafer General Merchandise
Clothing, jewelry, home furnishings and toys — just some of the fabricated products that consumers rely on in their daily lives. But more and more, consumers and regulators are concerned about what companies know about the chemicals and materials in these products and their safety.
View All Safer General Merchandise ResourcesPackaging
Chemicals of concern in packaging may migrate into food. Food companies can manage chemicals of concern in food packaging to minimize and eliminate contamination in food.
View All Packaging ResourcesTesting for Chemicals of Concern
Consumers are increasingly concerned about the chemicals in their food. Testing your products and packaging for chemicals of concern is one way to identify where issues may exist in your portfolio and to ensure your progress towards a commitment to safer food.
View All Testing for Chemicals of Concern ResourcesBusiness Case
Adopting a safer chemicals strategy is key to staying competitive in today's market. A safer chemicals strategy helps you anticipate regulatory changes, minimize risks, and build a positive reputation as an innovative and forward-thinking company.
View All Business Case ResourcesInnovation
Finding ways to innovate safer products is good for consumers, the environment and business growth.
View All Innovation ResourcesSafer Chemicals Events
Expert Organizations
Safer chemicals: the five pillars of leadership
In working with companies along the consumer product supply chain, EDF designed the Five Pillars of Leadership for advancing safer chemicals in the marketplace. See what leadership looks like.
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Safer Chemicals Resources
Looking for solutions that are relevant to you and your company? Here you can filter by resource title, date, type. Below (left) you can filter by narrowing categories and sub-categories, as well as where each resource sits on different levels of the sustainability journey.
Title
Date
Type
How companies can ensure that everyone - regardless of race or means - has equal access to safe products.
09/11/2020
Handbook
How people shop is changing. Creating a transparent online marketplace that offers safe and sustainable products is critical.
08/19/2020
Guide
EDF has created a template retailers and grocers can use when fleshing out a chemicals policy. The template provides necessary text as well as tips and resources.
02/24/2020
Guide
EDF’s rules for how personal care brand manufacturers and retailers can enhance customer understanding and make ingredient information more useful and accessible.
01/27/2020
Guide
EDF has identified a top-ten list of chemicals of concern in food packaging and food handling equipment where the potential health impacts from their migration into food raises serious concerns.
12/20/2019
Guide
Guidance on why and how companies should test for PFAS, a chemical contaminant found in food and food packaging.
12/19/2019
Guide
Learn more about how to test for this chemical contaminant found in food.
12/19/2019
Guide
Learn more about how to test for this chemical contaminant found in food packaging.
12/18/2019
Guide
Guidance on why and how companies should test for ortho-phthalates, a family of chemical contaminants found in food and food packaging.
12/17/2019
Guide
Learn more about how to test for this chemical contaminant found in food contact materials.
12/16/2019
Guide
Guidance on why and how companies should test for heavy metals, a chemical contaminant found in food and food packaging.
12/16/2019
Guide
Learn more about how to test for this chemical contaminant found in food and food ingredients.
12/15/2019
Guide
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