What is Safer Choice?
For the past 15 years the EPA's label for safer chemical products has been known as the Design for the Environment, or the “DfE,” label. The EPA spent more than a year collecting ideas and discussing new label options with stakeholders, such as product manufacturers and environmental and health advocates. They took these ideas to consumers and asked what worked best for them.
The result is the new Safer Choice label.
Products that carry the Safer Choice label means that every ingredient in that product has been reviewed by EPA scientists. Only products that meet the EPA's Safer Choice Standard, which includes stringent human health and environmental criteria, are allowed to carry the label.
Meeting the standards for the Safer Choice program is voluntary. Companies, like The Dura Wax Company, who manufacture Safer Choice products have invested heavily in research and reformulation to ensure that their ingredients and finished product line up on the green end of the health and environmental spectrum.
These companies are leaders in safer products and sustainability.
Safer Choice products work well and are less toxic. They are safer for:
- You, your family, and pets;
- Workers' health;
and
- Fish and the environment.
In addition to safer ingredients, the EPA's Safer Choice Standard requirements also include:
- Performance,
- Packaging,
- pH
and
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).
What does the Safer Choice label mean?
There are 3 versions of the new Safer Choice label, depending on the type of product:
Safer Choice label
When people see products with the Safer Choice label, they can be assured they are protecting their families and the environment by making safer chemical choices.
Safer Choice label for business or industrial/ institutional products.
In addition to the Safer Choice label above, an optional label may be used on a product manufacturers designate for businesses, office buildings, sports venues, and schools.
Safer Choice label for fragrance-free products
A product with this label indicates that a product is fragrance-free, to help consumers who prefer products without fragrance or are bothered by fragrances in products.
Learn more about EPA criteria for the fragrance-free label.
