RB Expanding Ingredient Transparency in the U.S.

PARSIPPANY, N.J., Oct. 22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Reckitt Benckiser U.S. (RB) is the first major U.S. consumer products company to expand its ingredient disclosure program to include the 26 recognized fragrance allergens for all of its U.S. products. As an industry-leader in the disclosure of ingredients in consumer products, RB has enabled U.S. consumers to see product ingredients for more than three years. Fragrance allergens will be listed starting in early 2014 and triclosan will be removed from all U.S. products by the end of 2014.

"Increased transparency and disclosure are key components of RB's betterbusiness strategy and we believe this is the right thing to do for U.S. consumers," explains Alexander Lacik, President, North America, for RB. "For over 10 years, we've actively reviewed our ingredient portfolio and have taken a proactive stance on disclosure, reduction and removal of chemicals of emerging concern."

The inclusion of fragrance allergens addresses the need for consumers with fragrance allergies to know what's in the products they use. Information will be made available on RB's U.S. ingredient disclosure website. Every product label and brand website already has details for consumers to access the website for more information. Consumers can also visit another RB website - http://www.happierhomes.us/  in the U.S., as well as the company's new Facebook page www.facebook.com/HappierHomes. RB is also including on-package messages about health, well-being and the environment.

In addition, RB is proud of its commitment to remove triclosan from all of its U.S. products. There is currently only one RB product remaining in production that contains triclosan. The company regularly reviews its list of allowable ingredients based on new information made available as scientific knowledge progresses. This regular activity saw RB proactively remove the preservative formaldehyde and nonyl phenol ethoxylate surfactants from all products in 2006 and formaldehyde-donating preservatives in 2009. 

Consumers can visit RB's U.S. ingredient disclosure website - www.rbnainfo.com - where the company voluntarily declares its ingredients and their purpose in products. The website includes all of its Health, Hygiene and Home products. Customers can also locate and download Material Safety Data Sheets for each product, which contains important safety information for bulk warehousing and transportation. In addition, the website contains information on RB's environmental standards and policies, a section specifically on fragrances and more details about its industry-leading ingredient disclosure program.

RB's disclosure initiatives go beyond ingredients. RB recently scored 99/100 on disclosure by Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) and achieved a position on the CDP Global 500 Climate Disclosure Leadership Index. As a company focused on Health, Hygiene and Home, RB has a strong sense of social responsibility and continues to look for ways to develop more sustainable products. RB's 2020 betterbusiness targets are to have 1/3 of net revenue come from more sustainable products, have 1/3 less impact on water resources and decrease the company's carbon footprint by another 1/3. RB has also partnered with Save the Children on a 2020 vision to use hygiene and health knowledge and access to help prevent diarrhea from being one of the world's two biggest child killers.

About Reckitt Benckiser
Reckitt Benckiser (RB) is a global consumer goods leader in health, hygiene and home. With a purpose of delivering innovative solutions for healthier lives and happier homes, RB is in the top 25 of companies listed on the London Stock Exchange. Today it is the global No. 1 or No. 2 in the majority of its fast-growing categories, driven by an exceptional rate of innovation. Its health, hygiene and home portfolio is led by 19 global Powerbrands including Mucinex, Lysol, Durex, Clearasil, Veet, Finish, Woolite, Air Wick, and French's. RB has close to half of its revenues coming from it two emerging market Areas and just over half from its developed market Area.  RB people and its culture are at the heart of the company's success. They have an intense drive for achievement and a desire to outperform wherever they focus, including in sustainability where the company has reduced its carbon footprint by 20% in 5 years and is now targeting to deliver a 1/3 reduction in water impact, 1/3 further reduction in carbon and to have 1/3 of its net revenue coming from more sustainable products by 2020. RB has been recognised as a sustainability leader in the CDP Global 500 Carbon Disclosure Leadership Index and received a 2013 Sector Mover Sustainability Award in the 10th Sustainability Yearbook.  In 2013, RB ranked on the Dow Jones Sustainability Europe Index (DJSI Europe) and earned 'industry best' scores for indicators within each of broad economic, environmental and social categories. Within these three areas, RB achieved top scores in risk and crisis management, social reporting, product stewardship, corporate citizenship and philanthropy, and environmental reporting.  RB is also the Save the Children charity's largest FMCG global partner. The company has operations in over 60 countries, with headquarters in the UK, Singapore, Dubai and Amsterdam, and sales in almost 200 countries. The company employs approximately 38,000 people worldwide.

For more information visit www.rb.com

Media Contact:
Reckitt Benckiser (RB)
Tony Brand
Corporate Communication Director, North America
(973) 404-2494
[email protected]

SOURCE Reckitt Benckiser