Who opposes the Toxic-Free Kids Act?
Who's opposed to legislation that will protect kids from cancer-causing chemicals?
The following is a guest blog from our friends at the Washington Toxics Coalition detailing the industry opposition to Washington’s Toxic-Free Kids Act—many of whom have also lobbied in Salem over issues like the attempted BPA ban in 2011.
Organizations and companies actively working to oppose the Toxic-Free Kids Act include:
The American Chemistry Council
ACC is a trade organization that represents the makers of chemicals, including the makers of chlorinated Tris, Albemarle Corporation. Their other members include Dow Chemical, Exxon Mobil, and Proctor & Gamble Chemicals, They have a long history in Washington state and in many other states of opposing bills that restrict the use of toxic chemicals in children’s products.
The Toy Industry Association
TIA is the trade organization for toy makers, including Hasbro and Mattel. Just this week they came under fire from environmental health advocates for opposing policies to make toys safer for kids. Here in Washington, they share the same lobbyist as the Citizens for Fire Safety chemical industry front group.
Citizens for Fire Safety
CFFS is a notorious industry front group funded and run by the makers of toxic flame retardants. We profiled them in this blog about industry front groups.
Personal Care Products Council
A trade organization for makers of personal care products. Their members include nearly all major cosmetics companies, including Johnson & Johnson, most recently in the news for marketing shampoo with cancer-causing ingredients to kids in the United States.
Grocery Manufacturers of America
The national trade association for food, beverage and consumer product companies, including 3M, Campbells, Chlorox, Hallmark, Coca Cola, and McDonalds. They have actively opposed legislation at the state and federal level to limit the hormone-dirsuptor BPA in food cans.
Washington Retail Association
WRA calls themselves the “eyes, ears, and voice of retailers.” Their Board of Directors includes such “local retailers” as Walmart, Target, Best Buy, JC Penney and Macys.
Association of Washington Businesses
AWB has opposed toxic legislation for years in Washington. They don’t list their members on their website. However, board members can be found here.
These organizations and their member companies have successfully weakened the Toxic-Free Kids Act (SB 6120). Now children won’t be protected from cancer-causing Chlorinated Tris (TDCPP) flame retardants and other toxic chemicals.
But it's not all bad news. Many, many dedicated organization are working hard to make sure kids are protected from toxic chemicals. See who is supporting the Toxic-Free Kids Act here.
Team members?