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

SDA Response to Earthjustice Lawsuit: Attacks on Cleaning Product Safety Unfounded, Promote Fear, Not Facts

• Group's Legal Threats Are Not Supported by New York State Law
• Industry's Ingredient Communication Program Goes Well Beyond Current Regulations

WASHINGTON, D.C. – February 17, 2009 – An activist group’s lawsuit in New York State against cleaning product manufacturers is unfounded, lacks legal standing and its claims are not supported by state law, according to The Soap and Detergent Association (SDA – www.cleaning101.com). Further, the challenge ignores efforts by industry to offer more information than ever before about cleaning products and their ingredients, says SDA, which represents the U.S. cleaning products industry

The Association expressed disappointment that activist groups led by Earthjustice are using an arcane New York State regulation as a way to disparage cleaning product formulators whose products are used safely and effectively by millions of people every single day.

SDA said that the activists’ attempts to force disclosure of ingredient information under New York State law are not supported by state regulation.

“We believe that the activists are misinterpreting state law and that their threats are counterproductive,” said Michelle Radecki, SDA’s General Counsel.

Already Unveiled: Consumer Product Ingredient Communication Initiative

“The cleaning product industry is committed to providing more information than ever before on cleaning product ingredients,” said Radecki.

“We have already unveiled a voluntary program that will provide more meaningful information on ingredients, in a more consistent, easy-to-understand format, that will help consumers make informed decisions about the products they use in and around their homes.”

The Consumer Product Ingredient Communication Initiative was unveiled in November 2008 by SDA, the Consumer Specialty Products Association and the Canadian Consumer Specialty Products Association. This initiative provides different means to inform consumers about the ingredients in products: on the product label; on the manufacturers’, distributors’, or importers’ website; through a toll-free telephone number; or through some other non-electronic means.

“The cleaning product industry’s ingredient communication initiative goes beyond any law on the books in providing meaningful information to consumers,” added Radecki. “SDA looks forward to sharing more information with these groups on our industry’s Consumer Product Ingredient Communication Initiative.” More information on the program is available at http://www.cleaning101.com/about/issues.cfm.

Cleaning Product Safety Well Documented

SDA stated that responsible manufacturers ensure their products go through comprehensive, extensive risk assessments, and also review scientific developments and monitor product use data that may affect the safety assessment process. An incredible amount of research and development goes on before these products ever hit the shelves, not to mention that the products must meet federal and state quality and safety regulations.

More information about how cleaning products are formulated safely is available on SDA’s special microsite, CleaningProductFacts.com.

SDA research showcasing the environmental and human health and safety of cleaning products and their ingredients is available on the new site, SDAScience.org. Our members and various government agencies have additional sites providing, in total, a comprehensive set of information on these products and ingredients.

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The Soap and Detergent Association (SDA – www.cleaning101.com/), the Home of the U.S. Cleaning Product and Oleochemical Industries®, is a one-hundred plus member trade association representing 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.