Chemicals are used in the production of every product we sell. Our approach of “science on tap, not on top” helps us to balance views and advice and then place each chemical in one of four categories:

1. No concerns - no action required.
   
2. Banned - either altogether or in certain uses.
   
3. Being replaced - a lower level of concern leading to phase out.
   
4. Monitoring - when no definite evidence yet suggests a chemical should be replaced or banned but there are some concerns or scientific research that suggest

To see which chemicals fall under which category and the actions M&S as a company are taking please see the link below

Marks & Spencer Chemical Policy

M&S were the first retailer to be awarded the BUAV accreditation for our leading animal testing policy on household products, (www.buav.org) and all our washing up products comply with the sustainable cleaning charter, (www.sustainable-cleaning.com).

Support from Greenpeace

As you would expect from Marks & Spencer we have also gone one step further with our Naturally Inspired cleaning range.

• Not only do these products contain no chemicals of concern but

• Use use only natural or naturally derived cleaning ingredients

• no synthetic (or petrochemical cleaning ingredients) and

• no artificial colour.

In most cases the products are also fragranced naturally by the cleaning ingredients themselves – for example our orange crush and lime kitchen cleanser uses the cleaning power of orange oil to also fragrance the product and the rice wine vinegar and citronella window cleanser uses the insect repelling citronella to also give a pleaseent fragrance whilst cleaning your windows or glass surfaces. Greenpeace have supported our Naturally Inspired range by commenting

"Greenpeace welcomes any initiative by companies such as Marks & Spencer to eradicate hazardous chemicals from their brands. This initiative shows that the systematic substitution of harmful chemicals with safer alternatives is possible and supports our demands for tightening the new EU chemicals regulation that is currently being negotiated in Brussels,”
comments, Iza Kruszewska, Toxics Campaigner for Greenpeace International.

The range currently includes a complete set of household cleaners, wipes and handwashes but we do plan to extend the principles more broadly – watch this space!

You can find out more information about chemicals in your home and what products are free from chemicals of concern by clicking on the attached link ‘The Chemical Home’

Greenpeace 'The Chemical Home' web site