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Industry Ingredient Communication Initiative Effective January 1, 2010

WASHINGTON, DC (December 31, 2009) – 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 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.