Clean Control Corporation - Going Green (DfE Program)

Partnership with the EPA

Background

As a manufacturer of cleaning products for both retail and I&I markets since 1991, Clean Control Corporation has made an effort to produce effective products using the safest chemicals possible that comply with environmental safety and health regulations.

As a small family-owned business, we recognized to value of working closely with our partners, providing assistance with numerous regulatory issues, including support of continuous improvement ideals associated with green cleaning initiatives.

Time Line

June 2004	We began our association with the Design for the Environment (DfE) Program in an effort to obtain the most up-to-date information on components used in our cleaning formulations.

August 2005	We formalized our commitment to the DfE Program by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). To date, Clean Control Corporation has obtained recognition for sixteen cleaning formulations under the DfE Program. These formulations include bathroom cleaners, glass and surface cleaners, degreasers and carpet cleaners (Link to our Retail Line - http://earthchoice.com \| Link to our Professional Line http://odobanprofessional.com/products/earth-choice.php ) . Our products are not only environmentally preferable but efficacious, receiving numerous patents and certifications under industry standards such as Carpet & Rug Institute and The WoolSafe Organization.

August 2006	DfE initiated third-party review of new product submissions.

June 2009	DfE issued Criteria for Safer Cleaning Products (CSCP) in the form of a standard.

October 2009	DfE initiated third-party review of partnership renewals and modifications

March 2010	DfE issued its enhanced Standard for Safer Cleaning Products

April 2011	DfE issued its enhanced Standard for Safer Cleaning Products

About the DfE Program

The DfE Program is a system for product verification which is superior to the other ecolabellers because it uses independent third-parties to do the verification, thus eliminating any potential or perceived conflict of interests between the standard setter and the verifier.

The DfE Program has a clear and transparent standard and in fact the DfE process is equal to and in some cases superior to other ecolabels in its ability to reduce exposures to children and other vulnerable populations, as well as to the environment.

Many States include DfE along with the other ecolabellers for meeting the requirements of Green Cleaning in Schools legislation.

Use of DfE Recognized Products makes it easier, faster and more cost effective to determine if the products have safer human and environmental toxicological profiles.

When you see the DfE logo on a product, what does it mean?

EPA allows safer products to carry the Design for the Environment (DfE) label. This mark allows consumers to quickly identify and choose products that can help protect the environment and are safer for families.

When you see the DfE logo on a product it means that the DfE scientific review team has screened each ingredient for potential human health and environmental effects and that-based on currently available information, EPA predictive models, and expert judgment-the product contains only those ingredients that pose the least concern among chemicals in their class.

What We Believe

We at Clean Control Corporation applaud the efforts of our partners to protect children and employee health. We believe that the DfE Program and the DfE recognition for product formulations is based the most credible scientific guidance available and under guidelines for procurement of environmentally sensitive cleaning & maintenance products.

SDSI Champion Award

Background

Since 1991, Clean Control Corporation has made an effort to produce effective products using the safest chemicals possible while complying with environmental, safety and health regulations.

Time Line

In 1996	Clean Control Corporation initiated a research project designed to eliminate the use of alkylphenol ethoxylate (APE) in formulations. By 1998, APE had been substituted in a significant portion of our formulations. However, technical and legal hurdles had to be overcome before the process could be completed. One challenge was FIFRA approval of alternate formulations for disinfectant and sanitizer formulations. Another challenge was bulk handling characteristics of alternative surfactants.

June 2004	Clean Control Corporation began an association with the Design for the Environment (DfE) Program in an effort to obtain the most up-to-date information on components used in our cleaning formulations.

December 2005	Clean Control Corporation completed a 10 year continuous improvement strategy plan to eliminate the use of alkylphenol ethoxylate in 100% of all formulations, replaced by surfactant meeting DfE criterion.

December 2005	The USEPA issued Ambient Aquatic Life Water Quality Criteria – Nonylphenol (EPA-822-R-05-005). This document was a guideline for Agency decisions made by applying the Clean Water Act and EPA regulations on the basis of specific facts presented and scientific information then available.

June 12, 2006	Clean Control Corporation submitted comments at EPA hosted public stakeholder meeting to provide input on SDSI. A summary of the meeting is available online at www.regulations.gov, document number: EPA-HQ-OPPT-2006-0343-0002.

October 2006	Walmart announced it would work with suppliers and developed a timeline to replace nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPE), an ingredient in some cleaning products, with less harmful alternatives.

March 24, 2008	A 12 year effort to eliminate the use of alkyl phenol ethoxylate cumulated with Clean Control Corporation submitting an application for Champion Status under EPA SDSI recognition program. There are two categories for recognition under SDSI: Champion and Partner. Champion Status is the highest level of recognition offered under SDSI. Through SDSI, the EPA Design for the Environment (DfE) Program recognizes environmental leaders who voluntarily commit to the use of safer surfactants that breakdown quickly to non-polluting compounds and help protect aquatic life.

November 2008	Clean Control Corporation was recognized as a Champion Partner—the highest level of recognition offered under the Environmental Protection Agency’s Safer Detergents Stewardship Initiative(SDSI). Pictured Left to Right: Charles Auer, Director of the EPA Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT); Stephen Davison, President/CEO, Clean Control Corporation; Cory Hammock, Vice President of Research & Development, Clean Control Corporation; Jim Gulliford, Assistant Administrator of the EPA Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances (OPPTS).


June 17, 2009	The USEPA issued and advance notice of proposed rulemaking for Testing of Certain Nonylphenol and Nonylphenol Ethoxylate Substances (Federal Register/Vol. 74, No. 115, p. 28654) for aquatic and sediment toxicity testing under TSCA section 4 for nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPE) and also requesting comment on gathering data under TSCA and through other means to facilitate the evaluation of industrial laundry worker exposure to NPEs.

January 2011	Maine designates the chemical class nonylphenol and nonylphenol ethoxylates as a priority chemical and requires manufacturers of household and commercial cleaning products, personal care products and home maintenance products that contain intentionally-added nonylphenol or nonylphenol ethoxylates to report on the use of the chemicals in those products and likelihood that children may be exposed from those uses. Copies of the rule at www.maine.gov/dep/oc/safechem/rules.htm.