The Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families coalition is concerned about toxic chemicals in products.

The coalition represents more than 11 million individuals and over 450 organizations and businesses united by a common concern about toxic chemicals found in homes, places of work, and products consumers use every day.

Their focus is on:

1. Strong federal and state policies to protect the public from toxic chemicals
2. Corporate policies to substitute safer chemicals for those known to be toxic
3. A public that can use its power as citizens and consumers effectively

Because corporate policies are aimed at consumer brands and retailers, this led to the creation of the Mind the Store Campaign. It was launched in 2013 and challenges the country’s largest retailers to restrict a list of chemicals from its shelves. The list is called the Hazardous 100⁺ chemicals.

Retailers play a huge role in the world of commerce.  Their very large voice goes a long way towards driving demand for safer alternatives. They can act quickly to reduce hazardous chemicals from their shelves, thus resulting in safer products, healthier homes and a healthier environment.

What is Mind the Store?

This campaign is a way to work with retailers to address toxic chemicals. The goal is for them to create a corporate chemical policy, in partnership with campaign personnel, and address the Hazardous 100⁺ toxic chemicals.

Retailers are encouraged to work with their suppliers to move their product lines away from toxic chemicals. By asking retailers to clean up their supply chains, the results can protect everyone, not just the people who can afford safer products.

Which retailers are targeted?

The list is long, the breadth is wide. The campaign focuses on the following categories and stores.

• Big Box Retailers: Wal-Mart, Target, Costco,
• Home Improvement Retailers: Home Depot and Lowes,
• Electronics including Best Buy,
• Drugstores: CVS and Walgreens,
• Grocery stores: Safeway and Kroeger

Resources for retailers

Because the focus of the campaign is to eliminate hazardous chemicals, the campaign website also provides great tools and resources that retailers can implement to help them transition towards safer alternatives. The list includes business to business collaborations such as  BizNGO and Green Chemistry and Commerce Council, (GC3) as well as tools to help identify and assess chemicals of concern, including the Pharos Project, the Quick Chemical Assessment Tool, (QCAT), and GreenScreen for Safer Chemicals.

Recent successes for Mind the Store

Mind the Store has had many recent successes. Too many to list here. However, here are a few highlights from 2015 so far!

1. Ashley Furniture, the country’s largest furniture retailer announced a phase out plan for flame retardants in all furniture
2. Walgreens announced it would develop a chemicals management policy
3. Home Depot and Lowes announced a ban on phthalates in their flooring products.

Impact to your business

Questions to Consider:

• Do you work for a retailer targeted by the Mind the Store campaign?
• What is your strategy to address and manage chemicals of concern in your products and supply chain?

For help with any issue associated with chemicals, contact Amanda Cattermole at (415) 412 8406 or Amanda@cattermoleconsulting.com. We can help you develop powerful solutions to protect your company and brand reputation that result in safer products manufactured in cleaner supply chains.

Tips and Insights contains information to help you make informed chemicals management decisions. Each post highlights a particular topic and includes questions for you to consider .