Breaking News: California Passes the Cleaning Product Right to Know Act!

We’ve got great news to share from California! As you know from previous posts, Honest has been championing the Cleaning Product Right to Know Act (SB 258) all year long. We’ve been proud to partner with Senator Ricardo Lara and the sponsors the bill — Breast Cancer Prevention Partners (BCPP), Environmental Working Group (EWG), Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), and Women’s Voices for the Earth (WVE) — in working to raise the standards for transparency across the cleaning product industry.

After months of extended and productive lobbying efforts, we were pleased to see several of the biggest brands in the cleaning product industry (many of whom historically opposed ingredient disclosure) ultimately join us in supporting SB 258. In fact, we recently returned from a final round of lobbying in Sacramento with our NGO partners and other cleaning product brands to make the case that ingredient labeling is good for consumers and good for business.

We’re thrilled to report that California lawmakers heard our message loud and clear! This week, the CA Legislature passed SB 258 with strong bipartisan support, and the bill now heads to the Governor for his signature.

So what does this mean for you?

Most people are surprised to learn that there are no current requirements for listing ingredients used in cleaning products. We’re so accustomed to ingredient labeling on the packaged food we eat and the personal care products we love. But what about the cleaning products we use at home? Here at Honest, we made the choice from day one to voluntarily list the ingredients in our household cleaning line because we think you have a right to know what’s inside.

Now, with enactment of SB 258, ingredient labeling will become standard practice for all cleaning product brands. Under the new law, companies will start listing intentionally added ingredients on labels and online, and manufacturers will not be allowed to claim trade secret protections for any hazardous chemicals as defined by the California Department of Toxic Substances Control. This means that consumers will be able to look right on the label for ingredients that may trigger their allergies or sensitivities, and will be more easily able to avoid serious chemicals of concern.

We think you’ll agree this is a huge win! By raising the standards for transparency in the cleaning product industry, this new law will ultimately spur innovation, promote business growth, and pave the way for even better consumer protection.

Click here for more from Senator Lara about what SB 258 means for you, and a list of all the brands and NGOs who supported this important right-to-know effort.

Thank you for all of your support in helping us get this bill passed in California so that it can become a model for the nation!