Walmart Pushes Companies to Get Products Verified by EWG

WASHINGTON – Walmart, the biggest brick-and-mortar retailer in the world, announced this week it is encouraging all companies that sell personal care products in its U.S. stores to get the EWG VERIFIEDTM seal. Walmart’s push for companies to take the steps to become EWG VERIFIEDTM is part of its larger sustainability initiative.

Launched in October, 2015 the EWG VERIFIED: For Your Health™ seal helps shoppers quickly and easily identify EWG-approved personal care products, including cosmetics, in stores and online. Items bearing the seal must score in the “green” range in EWG’s Skin Deep® cosmetics database and meet additional criteria set by EWG scientists.

There are currently more than 1,000 personal care products that carry the seal. Companies interested in learning more about the program and how to obtain the certification can download the application documents here.

“Walmart’s drive to bring more transparency and fewer toxic chemicals to the marketplace should be applauded by consumers and companies alike,” said Ken Cook, president and co-founder of EWG. “This latest decision to not only embrace, but encourage companies to seek the EWG VERIFIEDTM seal further underscores Walmart’s commitment to sustainability and safer consumer products.” 

“This announcement by Walmart is terrific news for its millions of loyal customers, and for all consumers throughout the U.S. who want and deserve the safest products for themselves and their families,” said Nneka Leiba, deputy director of research at EWG. “EWG is honored that Walmart sees the tremendous value of the EWG VERIFIEDTM program in moving the market toward healthier, more sustainable products.”

“The inclusion of third party validators, like EWG VERIFIEDTM, in Walmart’s sustainable chemistry policy will help the retail giant meet the growing consumer demand for safer products,” Leiba added. 

EWG VERIFIED™ is part of EWG’s mission to increase transparency in the marketplace and shine a spotlight on the many weak standards that govern consumer products. For example, the U.S. government does not require safety testing of personal care items before they hit store shelves. The federal Food and Drug Administration has banned only 10 ingredients from personal care products. Companies can use almost any other ingredient, including potentially harmful ones. 

Disqus Comments

Related News

Continue Reading