NEW YORK (AP) — Home decor retailer Bed Bath & Beyond is asking its vendors to voluntarily cut down use of some harmful chemicals in their products.
The Union, N.J., company published a list of restricted substances on its vendor web site last week that includes some substances that may be harmful to human health and the environment, even though they may not be the subject of current legislation. Bed Bath & Beyond said it recommends vendors try to reduce or eliminate those substances on a voluntary basis.
Retailers and consumer product makers, along with environmental groups, have been increasingly trying to cut down on the use of potentially hazardous chemicals in products.
In September, a coalition of 65 environmental groups sent a letter to Buy Buy Baby, which is a unit ofBed Bath and Beyond, asking the company to reduce potentially harmful chemicals in baby products.
Wal-Mart Stores said in September it will require its suppliers to begin phasing out about 10 hazardous chemicals from personal care products, cosmetics and cleaning products sold in its stores.
Procter & Gamble Co., the world's largest consumer product maker, also said in September that it will eliminate phthalates and triclosan from its beauty products by 2014. In 2012, Johnson & Johnson pledged to eliminate phthalates, triclosan, formaldehydes and parabens from all its personal care products globally.
