As the Chemical Footprint Project survey nears its 2020 release, there are a few things to keep in mind as a participant or just an observer. Clean Production Action (CPA) is the group who administers the survey with the help and guidance of the Lowell Center for Sustainable Production at the University of Massachusetts and Pure Strategies. A new survey is sent out every year to track progress and goals over time. This year, the CFP has partnered with Toxnot to create a thorough and user-friendly survey.
The purpose of the CFP is to provide a metric for benchmarking manufacturers and companies as they reduce their usage of chemicals of high concern. More information about mission of the CFP can be found here (include link to first blog post).
The CFP defines a chemical footprint as the total mass of chemicals of high concern (CoHCs) in products sold by a company, used in its manufacturing operations and by its suppliers, and contained in packaging. Chemical footprinting is the process of assessing the extent to which a company or organization implements safer chemicals within their products and throughout their supply chain.
The CFP is unique in that its one of the first resources that helps companies measure their chemical usage across their entire footprint and make tangible goals to be safer and more sustainable. The 19 strategic questions guided by the survey’s 4 key pillars provides unmatched rigorous evaluation of the participants and their chemical management. This provides more information for consumers, investors, retailers, brands, and the general public and motivates participants to improve their scores. It is a crucial step in the global pursuit of a sustainable world.
Responders to the CFP survey are typically brands, manufacturers, or retailers that deal with chemicals in their supply chain. There is no cost to participate in the CFP, and the benefits reduce chemical risk, identify opportunities for improvement, and track progress – a win-win for the companies participating and the world we live in. Some of the CFP participants include Walmart, Target. Seventh Generation, Johnson & Johnson, and many more. Past survey results can be viewed here.
Companies completing the survey will be asked questions about data management and strategies, their chemical inventory, and the disclosure of information and scores from the CFP. Documentation for these questions is often required. Toxnot can be used to store and organize chemical data, generate documents, and report out to CFP using the portfolio view within the product. Using Toxnot can make your participation in the CFP survey and responsible chemical management easier than ever!