Poll by Cleaning Products Organization Shows People Like Antibacterial Soaps

Questions have been raised about the use of antibacterial soaps, but a new poll released by the American Cleaning Institute (formerly the Soap and Detergent Association), finds that "the vast majority of Americans uses antibacterial soap and finds it to be a useful tool to prevent the spread of germs."  In fact, according to the survey conducted by Fabrizio, Ward and Associates, about "two-thirds of Americans would be “angry” at any government attempts to ban the products."

According to ACI, among the key findings of the poll:

• Nearly three-quarters of American consumers (74%) use antibacterial soap (56% use it regularly), finding it a very useful tool to prevent the spread of germs at home, in health care settings, schools, restaurants, child care centers, and public restrooms 
• 75% of moms with children in the household would be “angry” if the government took antibacterial soap off the market
• Overall, two-thirds of consumers would be upset if the government took antibacterial soap off the market
• 84% of adults do not have any health or environmental concerns about antibacterial soap
• By an eight-to-one margin, consumers would rather have the choice to buy antibacterial soap over removing it from the market based on alleged health and environment concerns

The poll results can be seen in this presentation.

The American Cleaning Institute represents "producers of household, industrial, and institutional cleaning products, their ingredients and finished packaging; oleochemical producers; and chemical distributors to the cleaning product industry."  Their web site is: http://www.cleaninginstitute.org/

American Cleaning Institute Finds Fault with California "Safer Products" Regulations

The American Cleaning Institute (ACI; formerly the Soap and Detergent Association) has filed comments to the California Department of Toxic Substances stating that the new regulations are "bureaucratic, punitive, and adversarial."  In their press release, ACI states:

California’s proposed regulations for “safer consumer product alternatives” are bureaucratic in the extreme, resource intensive for California government and the regulated community, punitive and adversarial, according to the American Cleaning Institute. 

ACI's detailed comments (93 pages, including attachments) urge the California DTSC to work with stakeholders to address proposals in need of "significant revision" as the current proposal would not accomplish "the goals
of the state’s Green Chemistry Initiative."  ACI complained about many parts of the proposed regulations, including their overly broad scope, a "flawed" chemical prioritization process, onerous reporting requirements, and what they see as "disincentives" to the development of safer consumer productes.

The full ACI comments can be read here.

Soap and Detergent Association Renames Itself the American Cleaning Institute

It's official. The American Cleaning Institute(ACI) is the new name of the former Soap and Detergent Association (SDA). While SDA had announced the change several months ago it has now official and the new website (www.CleaningInstitute.org) has gone live.

From ACI's press release:

"Our new name, brand and website enable us to better tell the story of how cleaning products and practices contribute to better living," said ACI Board Chair Jane Hutterly, EVP of Worldwide Corporate & Environmental Affairs, S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. "Our industry's commitment to a more sustainable world and enhancing health and the quality of life is stronger than ever and will be well represented by the American Cleaning Institute."

Membership includes the manufacturers and formulators of household, industrial, and institutional cleaning products, their ingredients and finished packaging; oleochemical producers; and chemical distributors to the cleaning product industry. ACI and its members are dedicated to improving health and the quality of life through sustainable cleaning products and practices.

Soap and Detergent Association to Become American Cleaning Institute

The Soap and Detergent Association (SDA), a trade association representing the cleaning and laundry product industry for more than 80 years, will formally change its name to the American Cleaning Institute (ACI). The change, which is to officially take place in June of this year, was announced at the 84th Annual Meeting & Industry Convention being held this week in Florida.

The new logo is above, and the new tagline is "For Better Living," which is "what our products and ingredients are all about, describing how the cleaning products industry contributes positively to society." In their press release SDA (soon to be ACI) said:

"Under the ACI banner, the Institute will still reflect our organization's vision: to enhance health and the quality of life through sustainable cleaning products and practices," said Ernie Rosenberg, SDA President & CEO. "The Institute will continue to support the sustainability of the cleaning products industry through research, education, outreach and science-based advocacy."

More information about the switch and about SDA (ACI) can be found on their website at www.cleaning101.com. Other cleaning product news can be found here.