FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Brian Sansoni, 202-662-2517 / 202-680-9327 or bsansoni@cleaning101.com

Industry Ingredient Communication Initiative Effective January 1, 2010

WASHINGTON, DC (December 30, 2009) – During the holiday season, one thing you don’t want to do is give the gift of germs.

January 1, 2010 marks the effective date for a consumer product ingredient communication initiative that three industry groups developed as a means for companies to share with consumers more information about the ingredients in four consumer product categories—air care products, automotive care products, cleaning products, and polishes and floor maintenance products.

While consumers recognize that these products provide numerous benefits, there is a desire to have more information available to assist consumers with their purchasing decisions and this initiative was designed to help serve that purpose.

Member companies of the Consumer Specialty Products Association (CSPA), Canadian Consumer Specialty Products Association (CCSPA) and The Soap and Detergent Association (SDA) announced the initiative during the fall of 2008. Companies participating in the initiative will have the options to list product ingredients on the product label; on the manufacturers’, distributors’, or importers’ website; via a toll-free telephone number; or through some other non-electronic means.

Providing options for sharing information about ingredients in products will allow companies to make the best determination on how to preserve existing product labeling instructions required under law in both the United States and Canada.* It is critical that consumers read and follow the instructions on the product label.

Participating companies with products in these categories will implement this initiative by January 1, 2010. Also coming in the New Year and in the spirit of transparency, the International Fragrance Association (IFRA) will be releasing a list of fragrance ingredients http://www.ifraorg.org/Home/News/Latest-News/page.aspx/66?xf_itemId=36&xf_catId=4&xf_overviewPageIndex=2 used in consumer products by their customers worldwide.

*In the United States, these products must meet labeling requirements as established through the current system of risk evaluation and risk-based labeling under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act (FHSA) regulations for consumer products and administered by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Through the FHSA regulations, the point of purchase label informs consumers about the potential hazards, product ingredients contributing to those hazards, appropriate handling and storage, applicable first aid information and how to protect children.

In Canada, there are various laws which regulate ingredients and labels for consumer products. Ingredients that make up these product types are regulated under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA) by Environment Canada and Health Canada. In 2006, the Canadian government announced the Chemicals Management Plan (CMP) which is a comprehensive approach to substance management. CEPA addresses new and existing substances through scientific regulations to protect the health of Canadians and their environment. The Consumer Chemicals and Containers Regulations, 2001 (CCCR, 2001) by Health Canada requires the use of precautionary labeling on the package to ensure that consumers are aware of the potential hazards if the products are not used correctly and safely.

About CSPA
The Consumer Specialty Products Association (CSPA) is the premier trade association representing the interests of some 240 companies engaged in the manufacture, formulation, distribution and sale of $80 billion annually in the U.S. of hundreds of familiar consumer products that help household, institutional and industrial customers create cleaner and healthier environments. Our products include disinfectants that kill germs in homes, hospitals and restaurants; candles, fragrances and air fresheners that eliminate odors; pest management products for home, garden and pets; cleaning products for use throughout the home; products used to protect and improve the performance and appearance of automobiles; and a host of other products used every day. Through its product stewardship program Product Care®, scientific and business-to-business endeavors, CSPA provides its members a platform to effectively address issues regarding the health, safety, sustainability and environmental impacts of their products. For more information, please visit www.cspa.org.

About CCSPA
The Canadian Consumer Specialty Products Association (CCSPA) is a national trade association representing the consumer, industrial and institutional specialty products industry. Our mission is to enhance the ability of member companies to conduct business fairly, ethically and effectively by fostering industry cooperation, providing a national voice for communications and developing effective partnerships with governments, other stakeholders and the public.

About SDA
The Soap and Detergent Association, the Home of the U.S. Cleaning Products Industry®, represents the $30 billion U.S. cleaning products market. SDA members include the formulators of soaps, detergents, and general cleaning products used in household, commercial, industrial and institutional settings; companies that supply ingredients and finished packaging for these products; and oleochemical producers. SDA and its members are dedicated to improving health and the quality of life through sustainable cleaning products and practices. SDA’s mission is to support the sustainability of the cleaning products industry through research, education, outreach and science-based advocacy. For more information visit www.cleaning101.com.