Mind the Store is a campaign managed by NGO Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families. The campaign and accompanying report card challenges large retailers to eliminate toxic chemicals in products and packaging.
Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families has just published its annual report card where they rank retailer’s performance against a set of criteria.
This year, the campaign ranked 43 large retailers in the US and Canada, up from the 11 retailers that were assessed in 2016.
The report card methodology focusses on the following mandatory areas. There are some extra credit points up for grabs too.
- Policy: A safer chemicals policy
- Oversight: Established management responsibilities and incentives
- Accountability: Ensures supply chain accountability
- Disclosure: Requires suppliers to report use of chemicals in products to the retailer
- Action: Reduced or eliminated chemicals of high concern
- Safer Alternatives: Evaluates safer alternatives and avoids regrettable substation
- Transparency: Demonstrate a commitment to transparency and public disclosure
- Chemical Footprint. Evaluates its chemical footprint
- Third party standards: Promotes credible 3rd party standards
Highlights
There is so much great information on the report card, and I have captured a few highlights below:
The campaign is thorough, transparent, with easy to understand graphics. The methodology, results and key takeaways are all available on the report card website.
Each retailer receives points in the categories above, which roll up to a numeric grade from A+ to F, which is easy to see and understand.
Retailers can be searched and compared via the industry, (apparel, restaurants, beauty care etc.) in which they reside.
You can choose a specific retailer and see a written summary of their performance. Points per category are shown, so that it is easy to see where a retailer excels and where they could improve.
A comparison in grades from previous years are provided. This allows consumers and the retailer to see if they are making strides in eliminating toxic chemicals from products and packaging. For example, Whole Foods performance is consistent from year to year because they received a solid B+ in 2017, 2018 and 2019. Home Depot however has made huge improvements from 2016 when it scored a D+ to a well-respected B+ in 2019. Helpful details are provided in the summary statement.
Recommendations for improvements for each retailer are provided.
Report card winners and losers
Apple (A+), Target (A), Walmart (A) and Ikea (A-) all scored very high marks and consistently led in every category. All these retailers have improved their scores from previous years.
There are a whopping 9 companies that didn’t even get 1 point, which is dismal. These companies include representation from restaurants, (Starbucks, Subway, Yum! Brands) beauty care (Sally Beauty,) apparel (TJX Max) dollar store (99 Cents Only) and grocery stores (Publix, Sobeys, Metro)
Why this campaign matters
It matters because we, as consumers, should be able to purchase products that are safe and free from hazardous chemicals.
There are not enough chemicals regulations and therefore a powerful campaign encourages retailers to take a proactive approach to managing chemicals.
Retailers take note because an F on a report card erodes company value, which could impact sales and profits.
Impacts to your business?
Questions to consider:
- Has your company received a report card?
- If so, are you using the results to help develop a chemicals management strategy that results in safer products made in cleaner supply chains?
For help with any issue associated with sustainability, circularity and 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, which will result in safer products manufactured in cleaner supply chains.
Tips and Insights contains information to help you make informed chemical management decisions. Each post highlights a particular topic and includes questions you may want to consider for your business.