Labelling Systems for Household Cleaning Products

It seems ironic that any product that goes into our body via our mouth is controlled by labelling regulations in most countries to ensure that the ingredients are clearly stated, yet products whose ingredients enter our body via the air we breathe or through our skin do not fall under the same regulatory system. In most Western countries, different government agencies regulate consumer products based on guidance from various regulatory laws, each covering specific types of products, depending on the law. In some instances, a product will come under more than one regulatory law, as is the case with products that are regulated by a consumer product safety agency, an environmental protection agency, and a food and drug agency.

Regulation often requires labelling to contain the words DANGER, WARNING, or CAUTION when there is risk of acute severe toxic effect. This means manufacturers do not need to mention lesser effects or possible long-term effects. Most countries do not require manufacturers to mention on their labels that the products contain neurotoxicants, carcinogens or hormone-disrupting chemicals.

Ingredients that are added to improve product performance or make them easier to use pose an additional concern, but unless these inert ingredients are determined to be highly toxic, they do not have to be identified by name or percentage on the label. Yet, for individuals who are chemically sensitive, even brief exposure can produce dire effects.

As consumers we need to be demanding appropriate labelling on all household cleaning products and all body care products. Consumers require a reliable and uniform method to identify household hazardous products at the point of sale. We need two kinds of information on the label. We need to know what chemicals are in the product and how dangerous they are in the short and long-term. And we need to know how to dispose of the product.

If manufacturers do not take responsibility for appropriate labelling, it is up to the retailers to provide this information.