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Contains no CFCs or other ozone depleting substances. Federal regulations prohibit CFC propellants in aerosols.
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| LABEL REPORT CARD |
| How meaningful is the label? |
Is the label verified? |
Is the meaning of the label consistent? |
Are the label standards publicly available? |
Is information about the organization publicly available? |
Is the organization free from conflict of interest? |
Was the label developed with broad public and industry input? |
| Somewhat Meaningful |
Yes1 |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
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1. While this is not a premarketing verification system, EPA requires a company who wishes to use the claim to notify it. EPA will not approve the label claim to be used if the product contains class 1 or 2 ozone-depleting substances. If EPA discovers at a later point that the claim is being used in a manner that is not in compliance with EPA policy, then EPA would notify the company that it must immediately submit an amended label with the ozone statement removed. In addition, enforcement action (such as a stop-sale notice) would likely be pursued if the company was not responsive.
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LABEL CATEGORY:
General Claims |
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WHERE YOU'LL FIND THIS GENERAL CLAIM:
 CLEANING PRODUCTS
KITCHEN & BATHROOM CLEANERS
: room deodorizers
OTHER CLEANERS
: air fresheners
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WHAT THIS GENERAL CLAIM MEANS:
CFCs, or chlorofluorocarbons, are one type of chemical that harms the earth’s ozone layer. The ozone layer is located in the upper atmosphere and helps to shield the earth from the sun’s meaningful radiation. Other chemicals harmful to the earth’s ozone layer include HCFCs, halons, methyl bromide, carbon tetrachloride, and methyl chloroform. Formerly, many aerosol cans used CFCs as propellants. However, few products today contain any of these chemicals. CFCs were banned in nearly all consumer products in 1978 in the US. Under the Montreal Protocol agreement, the international treaty governing the protection of stratospheric ozone, CFC propellant production was phased out as of January 1, 1996 in all industrialized countries and will be phased out by 2010 in developing nations.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) permits this claim to be used on aerosol pesticide products that do not contain ozone-depleting chemicals as defined by EPA. Companies who wish to use the claim are required to submit a notification to the EPA for review.
Unlike the “no CFC” label, the "Contains no CFCs or other ozone depleting substances. Federal regulations prohibit CFC propellants in aerosols" claim covers all ozone depleting substances of concern. Moreover, it clearly states that CFC propellants in aerosols are prohibited, and thus does not imply that the product provides a benefit over other products by not containing CFC propellants.
EPA may approve similar label claims, provided that the statement does not broadly imply that the product is safe for humans or the environment.
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WHO VERIFIES THIS GENERAL CLAIM?
While most general claims are not verified, some products or claims do fall under the authority of a government agency. In this case, the EPA has issued a policy that requires companies who wish to use the label claim on aerosol pesticide products to notify EPA. EPA reviews each notification and will reject it if it determines that the statement is inappropriate for a particular product (i.e., if the confidential statement of formula shows the presence of class 1 or 2 ozone-depleting substances).
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CONSUMERS UNION EVALUATION:
How meaningful is the label?
The claim "Contains no CFCs or other ozone depleting substances. Federal regulations prohibit CFC propellants in aerosols" is somewhat meaningful. It allows consumers to make an informed choice between products that contain non-CFC ozone depleting substances and those that do not.
Foods, drugs, and cosmetics are required to list their ingredients (with a few exceptions, such as fragrances in cosmetics), but household cleaning products are not required to disclose their ingredients (except for disinfectants or other ingredients considered to be antimicrobial pesticides).
Does an organization verify that the label standards are met?
Yes. While this is not a premarketing verification system, EPA requires a company who wishes to use the claim to notify it. EPA will not approve the label claim to be used if the product contains class 1 or 2 ozone-depleting substances. If EPA discovers at a later point that the claim is being used in a manner that is not in compliance with EPA policy, then EPA would notify the company that it must immediately submit an amended label with the ozone statement removed. In addition, enforcement action (such as a stop-sale notice) would likely be pursued if the company was not responsive.
Is the meaning of the label consistent?
Yes.
Are the label standards publicly available?
Yes. EPA’s policy regarding use of the claim is publicly available, as is the list of class I and class II ozone-depleting chemicals.
Is information about the standard organization publicly available?
Yes, information about all government agencies is publicly available.
Is the organization behind the label free from conflict of public interest?
Yes, in that it is a government agency.
Was the label developed with broad public and industry input?
No. EPA issued a notice on permissible label claims regarding ozone depleting substances; it did not go through a comment process to obtain public input.
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LINKS FOR MORE INFO:
Ozone Depletion Glossary
Permissible Label Claims Regarding Ozone Depleting Substances
Ozone Depletion
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