PROTECTING ACCESS TO ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION

RTKnet: Product Labeling

Concerns Over Industry Influence Mount In Cell Phone Right-to-Know Fight (OMB Watch)

The city of San Francisco recently passed an ordinance requiring retailers to label cell phones with the amount of radiation the devices emit. In retaliation, a wireless industry trade group announced it will no longer hold its trade shows in San Francisco and filed a lawsuit to block enforcement of the ordinance. The fight has caused right-to-know advocates to raise concerns over the extent of the wireless industry's influence over regulators.

(30 Sep 2010)

San Francisco Cell Phone Users Gain Right-to-Know (Environmental Working Group)

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted to require retailers to post cell phone radiation emissions. EWG has a database so that users can find out how much radiation their phone transmits to the body, or their phone's Specific Absorption Rate (SAR).  EWG asserts, "consumers at least have a right to know their phone's SAR when making purchasing decisions."

(17 Jun 2010)

TAKE ACTION - Support Food Labeling of GMOs (Food Democracy Now)

Stand up for your right to know what's in your food and stop a sneak attack on GMO labeling. Please sign this letter to FDA and USDA.

(27 Apr 2010)

EPA, DOE Attempt to Fix Energy Star Shortcomings (Environmental Leader)

"With recent reports of lax standards resulting in granting Energy Star labels to dubious products, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy are accelerating steps to bolster verification, testing and enforcement of the program." 

(15 Apr 2010)

GAO Faults Energy Star Label (GAO)

The Government Accountability Office (GAO), after a covert investigation of the EPA and Energy Department's Energy Star product labeling program, found that Energy Star is for the most part a self-certification program vulnerable to fraud and abuse, primarily because Energy Star does not verify energy-savings data reported by manufacturers.

(26 Mar 2010)

Most Personal-Care Products are Toxic (Durango Herald)

According to the Durango Herald, "Most toothpaste, skin lotions, sunscreens, shampoos, conditioners, soaps and cosmetics contain toxic substances you do not want in your body. All of these products also end up in our waterways to affect us a second time when we use the water." More product information is available at the Cosmetic Safety Database.

(10 Mar 2010)

More Time to Comment on Disclosure of Pesticide Ingredients (U.S. EPA)

In response to industry requests, the EPA has extended the public comment period on its proposal to require disclosure of pesticide ingredients, including so-called inert ingredients, until April 23, 2010. "Inert" ingredients can be extremely dangerous but are usually not dislosed on pesticide labels. Submit your comments here.

(25 Feb 2010)

Chemical Secrecy Keeps BPA in Food (Environmental Working Group)

Even makers of canned foods can’t necessarily find out if certain chemicals, including BPA, are in the liners of the cans they sell to millions of people every day.

(24 Feb 2010)

California Moves to List BPA as Toxin (Breast Cancer Fund)

The California Environmental Protection Agency signaled its intent to add bisphenol A (BPA) to the state’s official list of chemicals known to cause cancer or birth defects, adding to the mounting evidence that the plastics chemical should be banned from food and beverage containers. The list is part of California's right-to-know program, know as Proposition 65.

(16 Feb 2010)

USDA Sets Higher Standard For Organic Milk Label (LA Times)

In a move to clarify consumer concerns about the integrity of the organic food label, the USDA imposed strict new standards for what kind of milk qualifies as organic: Cows must get plenty of fresh grass and spend at least four months a year grazing in pastures.

(16 Feb 2010)