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Resolution: PVC Products & Packaging Report
2007 Shareholder Resolution approved by the Advisory Committee on Corporate Social Responsibility (ACCSR)
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Resolution:
PVC Products & Packaging Report
WHEREAS: Numerous products sold in our
stores contain materials which are controversial because of
their potential health and environmental impacts, such as
polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA).
In addition, our company through its XXX division, retails
beauty products, many of which may contain chemicals known
to cause cancer, developmental harm to children, and other
health concerns.
PVC Issues: Additives mixed with PVC resins can leach or
volatilize from a PVC product during its useful life and
contribute to the development of respiratory problems in
children. When produced or burned PVC plastic forms dioxins,
a highly carcinogenic group of chemicals that build up in
the food chain.
The use of PVC faces increasing restrictions. Many cities,
including New York, Boston, Seattle and San Francisco, have
enacted policies to avoid purchase of materials such as PVC
that lead to persistent pollution. Safer, cost-effective
alternatives exist.
PFOA Issues: Perfluorooctanoic acid is used to produce stain
and grease resistant coatings for carpets, cookware and food
packaging. In June 2006, the majority of EPA’s Science
Advisory Board identified PFOA as a likely carcinogen.
Canadian, Australian, and European regulators are
contemplating restrictions due to PFOA’s potential role in
birth defects, cancers and other concerns.
The 3M Company, a former manufacturer of PFOA, tested
children across the United States and found PFOA in the
blood of 96% of 598 children studied. The company
subsequently eliminated PFOA production.
Retailers including Wal-Mart and McDonald’s have announced
their intent to study or use alternatives to PFOA-based
products or packaging. A class action lawsuit seeking $5
billion in damages against DuPont alleges failure to
disclose health risks, including alleged emissions of PFOA,
from Teflon products. Even the lack of PFOA in a product is
not dispositive; many products such as carpets are coated
with materials known as “fluorotelomers” which have been
evidenced to decompose to PFOA during use, ingestion or
disposal.
Cosmetics Safety Issues: Cosmetic products have come under
scrutiny due to common ingredients in U.S. products
including phthalates--which have been linked to liver and
kidney damage, asthma, and malformed or underdeveloped
reproductive organs in males—and the carcinogen
formaldehyde, found in shampoos, mouthwash and nail
hardeners. Legislation recently enacted in California is
requiring increasing ingredient disclosure and media stories
have prompted growing consumer attention.
RESOLVED: Shareholders request that the Board publish
a report to shareholders on XXX policies on product safety,
at reasonable expense and omitting proprietary information,
by December XXXX. This report should summarize which, if
any, product lines or categories sold in XXX stores may be
affected by the new product safety concerns described above,
and options for new initiatives that management can or will
take to respond to this public policy challenge (beyond
those initiatives or actions already required by law).
Supporting Statement:
The proponents believe the potential new initiatives that
might be contained in the report include new research,
communications, guidelines, consumer education or changes in
policies.
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