As an update to my email about the Amazon Restricted Substance List below, we now hear that Amazon is to ban the listing and sale of paint strippers containing methylene chloride and n-methylpyrrolidone (NMP). Amazon has indicated that the policy will apply globally from March next year. Companies selling paint strippers online will have to provide Amazon with documents confirming that they do not contain the two solvents.
Whilst not immediately affecting BCF members, the following will be of interest due to the potential for future activities. Amazon, the online retailer has announced a chemicals management policy and published a restricted substance list (RSL). It also plans improved transparency of its efforts. The policy aims to avoid chemicals of concern in products.. It defines these as chemicals that meet CMR criteria, or that are persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT). The RSL lists 54 chemicals it is seeking to avoid in Amazon-owned private brand baby, household cleaning, personal care and beauty products sold in the US. It aims to expand the product categories, brands and geographies covered over time. It focuses in particular on:
-
- phthalates;
-
- nonylphenol (NP) and nonylphenol ethoxylate (NPE) surfactants;
-
- parabens;
-
- formaldehyde-releasing preservatives; as well as
- toluene and triclosan
Regarding transparency, the policy sets a goal of making health and sustainability data “as easy for customers to access and interpret as price and customer reviews” for products and will work to achieve fuller ingredient disclosure for its own brands. It is looking to add website features to make it easier for customers to access information about product ingredients and third-party certifications.