© JHVEPhoto stock.adobe.com
US retailer Target says its own-brand cosmetics and cleaning products are now expected to be free from intentionally added PFAS, following an expansion of its testing programme to verify the chemicals are not present across these product categories.
The expansion, disclosed in Target’s 10 September annual sustainability report, comes as companies phase out PFAS in response to tightening regulation across jurisdictions and concern over potential systemic long-term risks.
Target said its PFAS testing protocol now includes more than 20 own-brand product categories. In its previous sustainability report, the company said it removed intentionally added PFAS from its own-brand dental floss and cookware.
"As part of this effort, we also evaluated select owned brand product types with higher potential PFAS risk to assess potential opportunities for better alternatives," the retailer said in its sustainability report.
Target also reported progress on packaging chemicals, telling NGO Toxic-Free Future that it has taken further action with its commitment to "driving transparency and proactively managing chemicals".
The NGO said Target has phased out polyvinyl chloride (PVC) packaging from its private-label products, along with fellow retailers Lowe’s, TJX and Home Depot.
Target did not respond to a request for comment in time for publication.