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- Gov. Cuomo Urged to Work for Collaborative, Pragmatic Solution
The CEOs of associations representing the household and commercial cleaning product supply chain are urging Governor Andrew Cuomo to prevent the serious consequences of legislation that could effectively take many products off store shelves across the state of New York.
The legislation in question (S. 4389B/A. 6295A) is aimed at banning a manufacturing byproduct to help improve water quality in Long Island.
“Unfortunately, this bill will have no measurable impact on groundwater and it will not have the intended effect for Long Island’s residents,” according to Steve Caldeira, President & CEO, Household & Commercial Products Association (HCPA), and Melissa Hockstad, President & CEO, American Cleaning Institute (ACI).
“The chemical in question is 1,4-dioxane, a byproduct of the manufacturing process that can be found in minuscule amounts in some laundry and dish detergents. These are familiar and trusted brands that have been used for generations by millions of families on Long Island, in New York state and across the U.S.
“The level of 1,4-dioxane in products is already so low that being forced to lower it further is in some cases not feasible. In effect, this bill could ban these types of common household products in New York State.
“Every day cleaning products are essential in helping to prevent the spread of disease and bacteria in our homes, hospitals, schools, restaurants, hotels and government offices. If this bill is signed into law, many of these products that are critical to public health could be pulled off store shelves. Prices for laundry and dish detergent could dramatically increase. Consumers and workers would feel the pain in their pocketbooks, and there could be negative economic consequences for the state and potentially the entire U.S. in terms of lost jobs.
“We truly recognize the severity of the problem that Long Island residents face. The cost to treat contamination spreading from former industrial and military facilities—Long Island's largest groundwater pollution source—will be upwards of $585 million. However, cleaning products didn’t cause this pollution and only water treatment plants can clear it up.
“Our industry prides itself on working in a bipartisan manner with legislators, NGOs and regulatory agencies at all levels of government to find responsible solutions.
A recent example of this successful approach was in California, where the Cleaning Product Right to Know Act of 2017 was signed into law by then-Governor Jerry Brown as a direct result of industry working in good faith with NGOs.
“As the representatives of the collective household and commercial cleaning product supply chain, we respectfully urge Governor Cuomo to veto this legislation and work collaboratively with us toward a responsible, common-sense solution.”
About ACI
The American Cleaning Institute® (ACI – www.cleaninginstitute.org) is the Home of the U.S. Cleaning Products Industry® and represents the $60 billion U.S. cleaning product supply chain. ACI members include the manufacturers and 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 chemical distributors. ACI serves the growth and innovation of the U.S. cleaning products industry by advancing the health and quality of life of people and protecting our planet. ACI achieves this through a continuous commitment to sound science and being a credible voice for the cleaning products industry.
About HCPA
The Household & Commercial Products Association (HCPA) is the premier trade association representing companies that manufacture and sell $180 billion annually of products used for cleaning, protecting, maintaining, and disinfecting homes and commercial environments. HCPA member companies employ 200,000 people in the U.S. and their familiar and trusted products help consumers and workers to achieve cleaner, healthier and more productive lives.
Contact:
Beth Ludwick, HCPA – 202-833-7315 – bludwick@thehcpa.org
Brian Sansoni, ACI – 202-662-2517 – bsansoni@cleaninginstitute.org