• Login
    • Join
  • Subscribe Free
    • Magazine
    • eNewsletter
    Checkout
    • Magazine
    • News
    • Formulary
    • Exclusives
    • Top Companies
    • Raw Materials
    • End-User
    • Packaging
    • Directories
    • Events
    • Jobs
    • More
  • Magazine
  • News
  • Formulary
  • Exclusives
  • Top Companies
  • Raw Materials
  • End-User
  • Packaging
  • Directories
  • Events
  • Jobs
  • Current / Back Issues
    Features
    Columns
    Editorial
    Digital Edition
    eNewsletter Archive
    Our Team
    Editorial Guidelines
    Subscribe Now
    Advertise Now
    Top Features
    CBD Brands Must Focus On Health Solutions

    A Post-Pandemic Pause in Home Cleaner Sales

    Hair Color Market on Vibrant Streak Inching Out of Covid-19 Pandemic

    Wellness Industry Thrives with Vitamin-Infused Beverages & Beauty-Boosting Supplements

    Skin Care Soars into 2022 with New Products for Facial Care & Body Skin Health
    Online Exclusives
    Association News
    Breaking News
    Financial News
    Industry News
    International
    Marketing News
    New Products
    News Front
    Packaging News
    Patents
    Personnel
    Regulations
    Snapshots
    Top News
    Live From Shows
    Top News
    Spate Announces Launch of French Data, New Color Complexion Trends Report

    Gojo Creates New All-Weather Purell Dispenser Built for Outdoor High Traffic Locations

    Women in Flavor and Fragrance Present 2022 Recognition Awards Dinner June 16

    Univar Expands Distribution Agreement with ANGUS Chemical Company

    Acme-Hardesty Passes Responsible Distribution Verification
    Blog
    Online Exclusives
    Glossary
    Infographics
    Podcasts
    Whitepapers
    Videos
    Expert's Opinion
    HappiTV
    eBook
    Surveys
    International Top 30 Report
    Top 50 Report
    Top Companies
    Newell

    Perrigo

    9. Lion

    25. Lush

    Johnson & Johnson
    Actives
    Functional Ingredients
    Pigments
    Polymers
    Preservatives
    Surfactants

    Univar Expands Distribution Agreement with ANGUS Chemical Company

    L’Oréal's New UVMune 400 Sun Filtering Technology Protects Skin From Ultra-Long UVA Rays

    Incorrect INCI Prompts Recall of Higher Education Vegan Lip Balm

    Gabriel Letizia Jr. Sentenced to 60 Months in Prison for Falsifying Sunscreen Test Results

    Indie Beauty Brand i-On Skincare Releases New Skin Emulsion, AI Diagnostic Tool
    Air Care/Environmental Fragrance
    AP/Deo
    Color Cosmetics
    Disinfectants
    Fine Fragrance
    Hair Care
    Household Cleaning
    I&I Marketplace
    Laundry Care
    Oral Care
    OTC/Medicated
    Packaging
    Personal Cleansers
    Skin Care
    Sun Care
    Testing

    Spate Announces Launch of French Data, New Color Complexion Trends Report

    Gojo Creates New All-Weather Purell Dispenser Built for Outdoor High Traffic Locations

    Women in Flavor and Fragrance Present 2022 Recognition Awards Dinner June 16

    Univar Expands Distribution Agreement with ANGUS Chemical Company

    AspenClean Natural Plastic-Free Household Care Products Now Available in the US
    Lab Equipment
    Mixing
    Packaging
    Testing

    Aerosol Recycling Initiative Launched by HCPA

    Goodnest Delivers New Options for Sustainable Baby Care Needs

    Colgate-Palmolive Releases 2021 Sustainability & Social Impact Report

    Sustainable Personal Care Brand sk*p Enters Ulta Beauty Stores

    LVMH Creates Cosmetic Packages with Carbon-Negative PET
    Contract Manufacturing / Private Label Directory
    Buyer's Guide
    Add New Company
    Corporate Profiles
    International Buyers Guide Companies
    QRS (Quality Resourcing Services)

    BARALAN

    KLK OLEO

    Vantage Personal Care™

    Croda Inc
    Live From Shows
    Meetings
    Webinars
    Snapshots
    • Magazine
      • Current / Back Issues
      • Features
      • Editorial
      • Columns
      • Digital Edition
      • eNewsletter Archive
      • Subscribe Now
      • Advertise Now
    • Breaking News
    • Formulary
    • Directories
      • Buyer's Guide
      • Contract Manufacturing / Private Label Directory
      • Corporate Profiles
      • Add Your Company
    • Raw Materials
      • Actives
      • Functional Ingredients
      • Pigments
      • Polymers
      • Preservatives
      • Surfactants
    • End-User
      • Air Care/Environmental Fragrance
      • AP/Deo
      • Color Cosmetics
      • Disinfectants
      • Fine Fragrance
      • Hair Care
      • Household Cleaning
      • I&I Marketplace
      • Laundry Care
      • Oral Care
      • OTC/Medicated
      • Packaging
      • Personal Cleansers
      • Skin Care
      • Sun Care
      • Testing
    • Packaging
      • Lab Equipment
      • Mixing
      • Packaging
      • Testing
    • Top Companies
      • International Top 30 Report
      • Top 50 Report
    • Online Exclusives
    • Glossary
    • Experts Opinion
    • Slideshows
    • HappiTV
    • Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Infographics
    • eBook
    • Blog
    • Whitepapers
    • Surveys
      • R & D Salary Survey
      • Sales & Marketing Salary Survey
    • Job Banks
    • Events
      • Industry Events
      • Live from show Events
      • Webinars
    • About Us
      • About Us
      • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms of Use
    Features

    Clarity on Transparency

    Maintaining control of your brand’s safety narrative in the era of increasing disclosure.

    Clarity on Transparency
    Clarity on Transparency
    Chew on this—a single blogger demonized an ingredient found in Subway sandwich bread.
    Clarity on Transparency
    Related CONTENT
    • Cleaning Product Companies Named 2021 Safer Choice Partner of the Year Award Winners
    • Tom’s of Maine and Hello Team Up to Expand the Natural Care Recycling Program
    • Reserveage Launches New Pro-Collagen Booster Skincare Collection
    • Unilever, L'Oréal, LVMH, Henkel & Natura To Create Sustainability Scoring System
    • Henkel Promotes DiBernardino To Regional Head, Consumer Beauty Care North America
    Paul DeLeo, PhD, Integral Consulting06.01.18
    In the nineteenth century, Hans Christian Andersen told the story of a conceited emperor who was willing to believe that his nonexistent new suit of clothes was visible only to the worthiest of his subjects. It took a child in the crowd to confront the false pretext of the invisible clothing and shatter the emperor’s illusion.

    Much the same, manufacturers of household consumer products are being confronted by a public that is no longer entirely willing to go along with brand imagery and is increasingly looking for substance to support the value proposition of any product. Consumers and activists are demanding more information regarding what is in products and how they are made. They have taken those demands to legislators and regulators but are turning more frequently to retailers to force product manufacturers to disclose more. During the summer of 2017, legislators in California and regulators in New York State were in a race to be the first to enact rules requiring the disclosure of ingredients in consumer and institutional cleaning products despite current transparency efforts by leading consumer product manufacturers (see Table 1). California won, by the way, and currently is implementing the Cleaning Product Right to Know Act of 2017. 

    The recent frenzy over cleaning product ingredient disclosure was a symptom of a phenomenon that has been playing out since the early 2000s as access to the internet exploded and social media blossomed. The term radical transparency has been used to describe actions in politics, government, and business where the boundaries of what may be considered confidential are being tested and eroded, and the means to disseminate information are more accessible. All businesses, whether product or service providers, are being challenged to address changing consumer expectations in an era of increasing transparency, and there is a fundamental question—will one react to those trends, or get ahead of them and take advantage of the business opportunity?

    The following cautionary tale underlines how a company can easily lose control of its product. In 2012, Vani Hari, an American blogger calling herself “the Food Babe” identified azodicarbonamide as an ingredient in Subway sandwich bread in North America. That ingredient was also used in the production of yoga mats and other durable materials. Despite limited resources and no apparent training in public health, she was able to steal the safety narrative from a major corporation and, at a minimum, make the lives of some corporate executives very uncomfortable for several weeks.  The lesson is that there are few barriers today for anyone creating a narrative about a product, and companies are vulnerable to having the likes of the Food Babe tell their safety story if they have not created and disseminated one themselves.

    While a comprehensive and even compelling safety story is no guarantee of continued success in the market, the lack of a substantive safety profile (at your fingertips) is a recipe for defeat in the face of crisis. A recent example is the rapidity with which plastic microbeads were banned in wash-off personal care products, due in some measure to a lack of environmental safety data—either because such data are not required for most cosmetics or personal care products, or because most users of the materials assumed the inert nature of these products rendered development of comprehensive environmental safety information unnecessary.

    The Inventory Story
    Every consumer product manufacturer will have a comprehensive ingredient portfolio from which it is formulating existing products or developing new ones. Typically, the manufacturer will have an established process for adding new raw materials and ingredients to its portfolio, and the ingredient inventory is a basis from which hazard communication information is developed. The ingredient inventory is the platform for a comprehensive ingredient safety communication program.

    It is incumbent upon product manufacturers to understand the vulnerabilities and potential liabilities associated with their ingredient portfolio. There are a number of simple approaches one may use identify those vulnerabilities.

    The Chemical Footprint Project (CFP) is a transparency initiative from a group of long-time “safer chemicals” partners that seeks to “transform global chemical use by measuring and disclosing data on business progress to safer chemicals” (www.chemicalfootprint.org). It uses a questionnaire approach to encourage companies to develop an internal chemical management program and to consider potential hazardous chemicals for elimination from their chemical inventory. Regardless of whether you ascribe to the philosophical perspective underpinning the program, there are a number of good questions proposed that can assist in better understanding potential vulnerabilities and liabilities.

    At the heart of the CFP survey are fundamental questions regarding materials management:
    • Do you know what chemicals you use?
    • Do you understand the chemicals that you use?
    • How would you handle public scrutiny of the chemicals you use (from academics, regulators, downstream customers, consumers)?
    The ability to answer those questions (or not) is a rapid indicator of potential vulnerability on chemicals.

    LoL Is No Laughing Matter
    One relatively quick way to screen potential threats is a vulnerability assessment of the ingredient portfolio. A common technique for assessing vulnerability is to compare the ingredients in the portfolio against various hazard lists generated by respected organizations—authoritative bodies such as the International Agency for Research on Cancer, government agencies like the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, and scientific and professional bodies such as the Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics (AOEC). This approach is often referred to as a list of lists (LoL) approach. Many retailers maintain internal LoLs and “encourage” the suppliers of the consumer products they stock to adapt those products by deselecting particular ingredients found on those lists. A regulatory example of the LoL approach is that used by the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) in its Safer Consumer Products program to identify potential candidate chemicals of concern. DTSC uses 15 hazard trait lists and 8 exposure potential lists containing more than 4,000 chemicals.

    A significant concern with the LoL approach is that many of the organizations developing lists do not have open and transparent processes whereby new or existing data that were previously not publicly available might be brought forward. Moreover, lists that are being developed by professional societies to assist clinicians in the field, such as the Occupational Asthmagens on the AOEC List of Exposure Codes, are being picked up by regulatory authorities for risk management without consideration of the purpose of the list and its appropriateness for regulatory application. These trends do not seem to be abating, and there is no simple solution for makers and users of chemicals beyond vigilance and proactive internal chemical management strategies.

    Think Inside the Box, Bottle or Jar
    A more proactive approach to understanding vulnerabilities and potential liabilities within a chemical portfolio is to conduct a human and environmental safety assessment for every ingredient within one’s portfolio. While it is common for cosmetic and home care product manufacturers to conduct a human and environmental safety assessment for each ingredient used in each product formulation before the product enters the market, those processes typically may not be designed to withstand external scrutiny and, consequently, may not provide the kind of support needed when a crisis hits. In an era of radical transparency, product manufacturers should consider external communication of chemical safety information as they are conducting those internal assessments.

    A recent example of this approach was an effort by the American Cleaning Institute (ACI) to collect and make publicly available complete human and environmental safety information for each ingredient used in consumer cleaning products in the US as part of its Cleaning Product Ingredient Safety Initiative (https://www.cleaninginstitute.org/cpisi/). The intent of the program was not only to collect the information, but to make it publicly available and to provide a risk-based safety profile of the chemical based on its use in the associated cleaning products. Other recent examples include a transparency initiative from the international crop protection industry to make pesticide safety information more readily available, and the SmartLabel initiative developed by product manufacturers and their retail outlets to create web-based and mobile apps that allow consumers to access information on nutrients, ingredients, allergens, and other pertinent aspects of a variety of food, beverage, household and personal care products.

    A Range of Screening Tests
    A major concern of anyone contemplating the development of a safety profile for each chemical in a portfolio will be the acquisition of the data necessary to assess the likely hundreds of chemicals and possibly dozens of exposure scenarios. Driven by the desire to replace vertebrate animals in safety testing, a number of what are now referred to as new approach methodologies (aka NAMs) are providing tools and publicly available data sources for potential use in safety assessments. In chemico, in vitro, in silico sounds like something a twenty-first century Julius Caesar might say in conquering scientific questions, but it refers to abiotic laboratory screening tests, biologically based screening tests, and computational models and database analysis, respectively, which generate data regarding the safety of chemicals (see box). Several European and US government programs have conducted and released data from in chemico and in vitro laboratory screening assays in recent years. A number of computational tools and databases are now available from US EPA and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), including quantitative structure-property relationship (QSPR) models for the generation of physical-chemical and environmental fate data, and quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) models for ecotoxicological and human toxicological data. Perhaps more interesting from ECHA is the release of REACH Summary Data in April 2017, which includes the physical-chemical properties, environmental fate, and human and environmental endpoint summary data for 15,000 chemicals that have been registered under the program. This database allows one to understand the human and environmental safety of the chemicals within the database, but it also facilitates read-across of potentially thousands of additional chemicals. 

    New tools and the availability of data for thousands of existing chemicals makes it easier than ever for a company to develop a safety narrative for every chemical it uses. The alternative is to wait for someone else to tell that story… but don’t expect it to be favorable.

    Keep Calm and…
    In the era of radical transparency, it is critical that the chemically intensive enterprise know all of the chemicals present in its chemical portfolio, know the safety information associated with each chemical, create a safety narrative for each chemical, and share that information throughout and beyond the value chain with customers, consumers, regulators, and other stakeholders. At the end of the day, a cloak of transparency may be the best cover. 


    Dr. Paul DeLeo is a scientific professional whose focus over the past two decades has included applied research, regulatory advocacy and public outreach related to the human and environmental safety of food ingredients, pesticides, pharmaceutical and personal care products, and cleaning products. A strategic and visionary thinker, Dr. DeLeo successfully implements solutions from conception through rollout and broad stakeholder outreach. Dr. DeLeo currently serves as a Principal with Integral Consulting Inc. in the Washington, D.C. metro area where he leads the firm’s Product Stewardship practice.

    More info: Paul C. DeLeo, Ph.D., Integral Consulting Inc., 200 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Suite 330, Annapolis, MD 21401, Tel: 410.573.1982, ext. 515; Email: pdeleo@integral-corp.com;
    Website: www.integral-corp.com
    Related Searches
    • care
    • ul
    • chemicals
    • cosmetic
    Suggested For You
    Cleaning Product Companies Named 2021 Safer Choice Partner of the Year Award Winners Cleaning Product Companies Named 2021 Safer Choice Partner of the Year Award Winners
    Tom’s of Maine and Hello Team Up to Expand the Natural Care Recycling Program Tom’s of Maine and Hello Team Up to Expand the Natural Care Recycling Program
     Reserveage Launches New Pro-Collagen Booster Skincare Collection Reserveage Launches New Pro-Collagen Booster Skincare Collection
    Unilever, L Unilever, L'Oréal, LVMH, Henkel & Natura To Create Sustainability Scoring System
    Henkel Promotes DiBernardino To Regional Head, Consumer Beauty Care North America Henkel Promotes DiBernardino To Regional Head, Consumer Beauty Care North America
    Herbalife Nutrition Taps New Leadership & Expands With Wellness-Inspired Skin Care Collection Herbalife Nutrition Taps New Leadership & Expands With Wellness-Inspired Skin Care Collection
    What You What You're Reading on Happi.com
    Amyris and Naomi Watts Partner to Launch Menopause Wellness Personal Care Products Amyris and Naomi Watts Partner to Launch Menopause Wellness Personal Care Products
    Allure Allure's New Beauty Store Specializes in Makeup, Skin Care & Hair Care
    Seventh Generation Appoints Alison Whritenour as CEO Seventh Generation Appoints Alison Whritenour as CEO
    Hain Celestial Hain Celestial
    EWG Expands Cosmetics Science and Certification Programs EWG Expands Cosmetics Science and Certification Programs
    Vegan Beauty and Wellness Boutique Opens in Boca Raton Vegan Beauty and Wellness Boutique Opens in Boca Raton
    One in Three Americans Still Practice Unsafe Storage of Laundry Products One in Three Americans Still Practice Unsafe Storage of Laundry Products
    US Senators Introduce ‘No PFAS in Cosmetics’ Act US Senators Introduce ‘No PFAS in Cosmetics’ Act

    Related Content

    • Disinfectants | Household Cleaning | Laundry Care
      Cleaning Product Companies Named 2021 Safer Choice Partner of the Year Award Winners

      Cleaning Product Companies Named 2021 Safer Choice Partner of the Year Award Winners

      P&G, Grove Collaborative, DeFunkify, Clorox and others on this year’s EPA list.
      09.22.21

    • Tom’s of Maine and Hello Team Up to Expand the Natural Care Recycling Program

      Tom’s of Maine and Hello Team Up to Expand the Natural Care Recycling Program

      Product leaders in naturals continue their efforts to recycle personal care packaging through expanded TerraCycle partnership and mail-back collection.
      09.21.21

    •  Reserveage Launches New Pro-Collagen Booster Skincare Collection

      Reserveage Launches New Pro-Collagen Booster Skincare Collection

      The clinically-tested, science-backed skincare line features a proprietary formulation of micro-encapsulated copper peptides and nine world-class ingredients.
      09.21.21


    • Color Cosmetics | Fine Fragrance | Hair Care | Packaging | Personal Cleansers | Skin Care | Sun Care | Testing
      Unilever, L

      Unilever, L'Oréal, LVMH, Henkel & Natura To Create Sustainability Scoring System

      Clear, transparent and comparable environmental impact information based on a common science-based methodology.
      09.20.21

    • Henkel Promotes DiBernardino To Regional Head, Consumer Beauty Care North America

      Henkel Promotes DiBernardino To Regional Head, Consumer Beauty Care North America

      He previously held leadership positions at Henkel North America including general manager, Consumer Beauty Care USA, and SVP sales.
      09.20.21

      Trending
      • Gabriel Letizia Jr. Sentenced To 60 Months In Prison For Falsifying Sunscreen Test Results | HAPPI
      • Gabriel Letizia Jr. Sentenced to 60 Months in Prison for Falsifying Sunscreen Test Results
      • Glossier CEO Emily Weiss Is Stepping Down | HAPPI
      • L'Oréal Invests In Sparty, A Personalized Beauty Startup | HAPPI
      • Minnesota Bans Triclosan | HAPPI
      Breaking News
      • Spate Announces Launch of French Data, New Color Complexion Trends Report
      • Gojo Creates New All-Weather Purell Dispenser Built for Outdoor High Traffic Locations
      • Women in Flavor and Fragrance Present 2022 Recognition Awards Dinner June 16
      • Univar Expands Distribution Agreement with ANGUS Chemical Company
      • Acme-Hardesty Passes Responsible Distribution Verification
      View Breaking News >
      CURRENT ISSUE

      May 2022

      • CBD Brands Must Focus On Health Solutions
      • Hair Color Market Remains Vibrant Post-Pandemic
      • New Skin Care Products for Facial Care & Body Skin Health
      • Vitamin-Infused Beverages & Beauty Supplements Lift Wellness
      • Laboratory Skin Care’s Hydroxysomes Dermal Delivery Platform
      • Formulating Skin Care Products with Pear Enzyme Technology
      • A Post-Pandemic Pause in Home Cleaner Sales

      Cookies help us to provide you with an excellent service. By using our website, you declare yourself in agreement with our use of cookies.
      You can obtain detailed information about the use of cookies on our website by clicking on "More information”.

      • About Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms And Conditions
      • Contact Us

      follow us

      Subscribe
      Nutraceuticals World

      Latest Breaking News From Nutraceuticals World

      Thorne Relaunches Gut Health Test with Microbiome Wipe
      Alkemist Labs Announces Alkemist Assured Seal and Next Generation Transparency Reports
      GC Rieber Foundations Expand Philanthropic Efforts
      Coatings World

      Latest Breaking News From Coatings World

      ICP Receives ASC Innovation Award for Spray Foam That Meets Changing Environmental Regulations
      Pylon Coatings Uses Polygiene Biomaster & Verimaster for Antimicrobial Surface Protection
      Sto Corp. Recognized with Multiple Honors at the EIFS Hero Awards
      Medical Product Outsourcing

      Latest Breaking News From Medical Product Outsourcing

      Medtronic, DaVita to Create New Kidney Care Firm
      OmniGuide's RevoLix HTL Hybrid Thulium Laser OK'ed for BPH and Stone Treatments
      In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices Regulation Takes Effect
      Contract Pharma

      Latest Breaking News From Contract Pharma

      DFE Pharma Opens India CoE for Fast-Track Formulation Services
      Helsinn Establishes New R&D Hub in the U.S.
      CureVac, myNEO Partner on Antigen Targets for mRNA-Cancer Vax Development
      Beauty Packaging

      Latest Breaking News From Beauty Packaging

      Carlyle To Acquire HCP Packaging
      Estée Lauder Companies Faces Class Action Lawsuit
      La Roche-Posay Launches Matte Moisturizer for Oily Skin
      Happi

      Latest Breaking News From Happi

      Spate Announces Launch of French Data, New Color Complexion Trends Report
      Gojo Creates New All-Weather Purell Dispenser Built for Outdoor High Traffic Locations
      Women in Flavor and Fragrance Present 2022 Recognition Awards Dinner June 16
      Ink World

      Latest Breaking News From Ink World

      NAPIM’s Virtual Digital & Emerging Technologies Conference is Back, June 14–15, 2022
      CEMATEX Introduces Online Business Platform to Connect Global Textile Community
      PICO Chemical Celebrates 46 Years
      Label & Narrow Web

      Latest Breaking News From Label & Narrow Web

      Teklynx software helps Top Clean Injection validate labels
      Zeller+Gmelin named Berry Global’s 2021 Ink Supplier of the Year
      Videojet and Loftware partner to accelerate labeling automation
      Nonwovens Industry

      Latest Breaking News From Nonwovens Industry

      Rael Raises $35M in Series B Funding
      Schobertechnologies Offers Rotary Web-fed Converting Solutions
      Thorne Relaunches Gut Health Test with Microbiome Wipe
      Orthopedic Design & Technology

      Latest Breaking News From Orthopedic Design & Technology

      ManaMed's ManaSport Wearable Ultrasound Earns FDA Nod
      Ekso Bionics Names Jerome Wong as Interim CFO
      Exactech Completes First Surgeries Using Next-Gen Cage Glenoid
      Printed Electronics Now

      Latest Breaking News From Printed Electronics Now

      ams OSRAM Introduces New Horticulture LEDs
      Avery Dennison Launches AD Twist U7XM Inlays
      ARPA-E Funding Drives Innovation, Industry Partnerships at NREL

      Copyright © 2022 Rodman Media. All rights reserved. Use of this constitutes acceptance of our privacy policy The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Rodman Media.

      AD BLOCKER DETECTED

      Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors.
      Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker.


      FREE SUBSCRIPTION Already a subscriber? Login