The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has approved display of promotions for causes or charities on labels of pesticides, disinfectants and other commercial toxics. Documents revealing the agency's policy change were released by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, PEER, a national association of workers in natural resources agencies.
As a result, these products may now feature tie-ins with charitable organizations and marketing slogans on their labels which are otherwise supposed to be devoted to consumer safety and usage information.
The change came in response to a request from the Clorox Company to advertise a pledge that it will donate a small percentage of the retail purchase price ....
At Clorox's urging, EPA will allow placement of the phrases "Dedicated to a healthier world" and "Help Clorox raise $1M for the Red Cross," as well as the use of the Red Cross logo on both the front and back panels, on five Clorox products.
"Thanks to EPA, even the most dangerous chemical can now wrap itself in a cloak of wholesomeness, featuring claims that it helps the planet, benefits sick children or even saves the whales," said PEER Executive Director Jeff Ruch.