Hazardous Substance Assessed
The widespread presence of potentially harmful chemicals can be attributed to their diverse applications, including as adhesives, degreasers, lubricants, and sealants during manufacturing. Some, like per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), are also intentionally added to products like clothing, furniture, and cookware for their oil and water-repelling properties, while others, like diethanolamine (DEA), are used in soaps, shampoos, and cleaners for their foaming abilities, despite being classified as carcinogens.
While low exposure from infrequent use in small doses may be innocuous, the ubiquity of these chemicals in our daily lives means there is a significant risk to human health and the environment. Increasingly aware of these risks, consumers are driving demand for safer and more sustainable products. In response, manufacturers and retailers are making environmental attribute claims for their products relating to chemical use. However, if those claims are misleading or ambiguous (greenwashing), then this will lead to reputational damage.
- Highlights the better chemistry of a product.
- Aligns with the trend of eliminating problematic/toxic/bio-accumulative chemicals from products.
- Polyester/cotton shirt
SGS Hazardous Substances Assessed Mark is a clear demonstration to consumers that a product has passed specific criteria relating to between 200 and 300 substances identified as high risk. It shows the product meets a range of safety and sustainability requirements and allows these to be marketed in an easy-to-understand fashion.
Relevant to a wide variety of consumer goods, the SGS Hazardous Substances Assessed Mark uses different test standards depending on the product being assessed:
- TX-GMSA-100 – apparel, footwear, accessories, home textiles and textiles, leather and plastics used in these products
- EE-GM – electrical and electronic equipment not used by children
- IPC 1402 – cleaners used in electronic manufacturing
Certification helps to highlight the better chemistry of the product and it shows the manufacturer and their processes are in line with the global trend of eliminating the use of toxic and bioaccumulative chemicals.