Key Findings

2024 Retailer Report Card Average Score by Element (% of total possible points)

Transparency

Most retailers assessed do not know the chemical content of the products they sell. 

• Fifty-four percent of retailers (27 of 50) do not ask their suppliers for the chemical content of products at any level of disclosure for the retailer’s internal use.
• Fifty-six percent of retailers (28 of 50) do not ask their suppliers to disclose chemical content of products to consumers.

Meanwhile, many leading retailers have made meaningful progress utilizing tools such as UL WERCSmart to require suppliers to disclose chemical ingredients in formulated products, such as household cleaning products, beauty, and personal care products. Some companies are pushing the envelope by pressing suppliers to achieve full ingredient disclosure, disclosing generic ingredients such as fragrances and flavors.

Very few companies require disclosure of ingredients in articles. “Articles” are generally solid objects as opposed to “formulated products,” which are generally liquids or gels. The lack of disclosure for articles is problematic, as they frequently contain chemicals and plastics of high concern. Apple is the clear leader in this area, requiring suppliers to participate in its Full Material Disclosure program. Apple’s manufacturers report on material composition through its secure data collection system, with the goal of cataloging and mapping each chemical in the materials used in Apple products. For iPhone, iPad, and Mac products released in 2023, the company collected detailed chemical information of 93 percent of each product by mass, on average. Additionally, in 2022, more than 1,000 Apple supplier facilities shared their chemical inventories through its Chemical Safety Disclosure program.

Two companies, Walmart and Whole Foods Market, received credit for publicly disclosing their chemical footprints. Walmart became the first retailer to calculate, track, and report its chemical footprint beginning in 2017, focused on formulated products. 

Ban the Bad

Retailers continue to make progress reducing or eliminating chemicals and plastics of high concern. Forty-four percent (22 of 50) of retailers assessed have current, measurable goals for reduction; 68 percent (34 of 50) reported making reductions since 2020.

PFAS

In line with rising public concern and pending legislative bans, the largest number of goals focus on the elimination of PFAS, also known as forever chemicals. PFAS are widely used to provide oil and water resistance and are linked to a wide range of health problems including a weaker immune system, cancer, increased cholesterol levels, pregnancy-induced hypertension, liver damage, reduced fertility, and increased risk of thyroid disease. Thirty percent (15 of 50) of retailers have set goals to eliminate PFAS in a variety of product types, including beauty products, cookware, electronics, food packaging, footwear, household cleaning, outdoor furniture, pet food products, packaging, and textiles. 

PVC

Ten retailers have set goals to eliminate the plastic polyvinyl chloride (PVC) in specific products and packaging. PVC is made from vinyl chloride, a known human carcinogen associated with liver cancer, brain and lung cancers, and cancers of the blood. From production and use to disposal, PVC poses serious threats to human health and the environment, exposing low-income communities and communities of color, workers, and consumers to dangerous chemicals. Nine retailers have set goals to eliminate PVC in packaging. In addition, Canadian Tire has set a goal to eliminate PVC in outdoor sporting goods, and Dollar Tree has set a goal to eliminate it in children’s products. Meanwhile, the number one use of PVC is in building materials. Home improvement chains such as The Home Depot, Lowe’s, and LL Flooring (Lumber Liquidators) must phase out the sale of PVC in building materials such as vinyl flooring and offer safer solutions, such as linoleum flooring. 

Retailers tackling toxic beauty products

In the ten years since the launch of the Mind the Store program, many leading retailers have adopted corporate chemical policies to restrict hazardous chemicals in beauty and personal care products.  Recognizing disproportionate hazards faced by women of color, over the last few years some retailers have expanded their restricted substance lists to target chemicals in beauty products marketed to women of color. Since the last Retailer Report Card was published in 2021, retailers including Rite Aid, Sephora, Target, and Ulta Beauty have made progress restricting harmful chemicals in products marketed to people of color. Other retailers must join them and take action on beauty products of environmental justice concern.

Ban the Bad Goals

Retailers that adopted goals to reduce or eliminate highly hazardous chemicals and plastics

Notes on this table:
This table summarizes active goals retailers have set to reduce and eliminate chemicals and plastics of high concern. This table doesn’t take into account prior goals that retailers have already achieved.
CHS = Chemicals of High Concern / PHCs = Plastics of High Concern
NA = retailer has not disclosed a deadline for its goal.
* Apple’s 2025 deadline only applies to PFAS
** REI will restrict PFAS in all cookware, apparel, accessories, footwear, packs, and bags, by fall 2024. It will restrict PFAS in all other textiles by fall 2026.

Ban the Bad Progress

Retailers that reported progress reducing or eliminating highly hazardous chemicals and plastics since 2020