On January 25, 2017 U.S. retailer Target announced its new chemical strategy addressing its “entire value chain, operations and every product” sold in its stores, as well as its new chemical policy focusing on transparency, chemical management, and innovation. Target’s first set of goals are “aimed at addressing unwanted chemicals with the biggest potential health impact, factoring in their prevalence within our products.” The retailer vows to achieve transparency on all ingredients and reformulate different products by 2020, making them free-from phthalates, parabens, formaldehyde (including formaldehyde-donors), and nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs). Targeted product categories range from beauty, baby care, personal care to household cleaning products. Hazardous flame retardants and perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) will be removed from textile products by 2022. Further, Target announced to invest up to U.S. $5 million in green chemistry innovation by 2022.
U.S. non-profit organization Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families (SCHF) welcomed Target’s new chemical policy and goals. In November 2016, SCHF published a report evaluating different U.S. retailers, ranking Walmart, Target, and CVS Health best, according to their efforts in removing toxic chemicals and promoting safer alternatives (FPF reported).
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Target (January 25, 2017). “Target announces new chemical strategy including policy and goals for its products and operations.”
SCHF (January 25, 2017). “Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families congratulates Target on new chemical policy and goals, urges Amazon and other retailers to follow suit.”
Kelly Franklin (January 26, 2017). “U.S. retailer Target to eliminate PFCs, phthalates, parabens.” Chemical Watch
Libby MacCarthy (January 26, 2017). “Target to remove harmful chemicals from products, invest in green chemistry.” Sustainable Brands
Boma Brown-West (January 26, 2017). “Target moves up the safer chemicals leadership ladder.” EDF +BUSINESS
Anya Khalamayzer (February 10, 2017). “Target’s new chemicals policy hits a bullseye.” GreenBiz
Daphne Howland (February 14, 2017). “How Target’s new chemical strategy could transform consumer products retail.” Retail Dive
Tammy Lovell (March 9, 2017). “Target’s chemicals commitments ‘up the ante’ for retail sector.” Chemical Watch
