Chemical footprint

The 7th Chemical Footprint Project (CFP) Report released by Clean Production Action documents how some of the largest companies in the world with $1.2 trillion in annual revenue reduced their chemical footprints, use of chemicals of high concern, by 132.9 million pounds — a weight equivalent to 226 Airbus A380s (the world’s largest passenger aircraft). Companies surveyed in the report are in the building products and furnishings, retail, household and personal care products, electronics, medical equipment and supplies, and toy sectors.

The Chemical Footprint Project (CFP) assesses where businesses are on their journey beyond regulatory compliance to manufacturing, distributing, and selling safer products. With growing global concerns and legal liabilities associated with hazardous chemicals, such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as the “forever chemicals,” the CFP provides a leadership framework for businesses to benchmark their progress away from chemicals of high concern to human health and the environment, and toward safer solutions that are aligned with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Clean Production Action tracks more than 50,000 chemicals of high concern, many of which are associated with an increased risk of cancer, reproductive problems and birth defects, and adverse effects on the mental, intellectual, and physical development of children. 

In addition to interest from corporate leadership and consumers, investment firms increasingly want to know how well companies manage the regulatory, reputational, and legal risks posed by hazardous chemicals. “Boston Common Asset Management seeks to identify and invest in corporate leaders in green product innovation, ingredient transparency, and product reformulation,” says Dr. Constantina Bichta, associate director of ESG Research at Boston Common Asset Management. “The Chemical Footprint Project framework is an essential tool in making these efforts possible.” 

This year, 12 companies achieved the CFP Frontrunner award by scoring 80 or more points in the Survey, which assesses performance across four pillars of chemical safety: management strategy, chemical inventory, footprint measurement, and disclosure and verification. Walmart, Whole Foods Market, Grove Collaborative, Clorox, and Ecolab are first-time Frontrunners that joined the seven returning Frontrunners of MillerKnoll, Humanscale, Naturepedic, Reckitt, Beautycounter, Case Medical, and HP. 

“The 7th CFP Report results demonstrate the growing maturity of some of the world’s most successful businesses across six industry sectors in moving away from hazardous chemicals to safer solutions,” highlights Dr. Angela Pinilla, program director of CFP at Clean Production Action and report co-author. “Businesses participating in CFP are reducing their chemical footprints and turning to safer solutions as determined by third party certifications and chemical hazard assessment tools such as GreenScreen for Safer Chemicals.”

Thirteen companies, including BD (medical devices company), Rite Aid, GOJO, and Radio Flyer along with nine Frontrunners, also achieved the CFP Disclosure Leader award by agreeing to publicly disclose their CFP Survey score and responses. Disclosure Leaders demonstrate their willingness to publicly share where they are on the journey to safer chemicals. 

Companies can demonstrate their leadership in chemicals management by participating in the CFP Survey and the implementation of the United Nations Global Framework on Chemicals, setting goals to reduce their chemical footprint, and reducing their chemical footprint by using safer alternatives.