CVS Caremark has pledged to replace "ingredients of concern" in its house-branded products when safer alternatives are available - and to prompt its manufacturer partners to do the same - under the company's new cosmetic safety policy.

Outlined in CVS' first Corporate Social Responsibility Report, released May 6, the cosmetic safety policy consists of six key commitments.

First, the firm aims to provide its customers with "innovative products from around the world that have been hand-selected and tested by CVS/pharmacy health experts and that meet or exceed regulatory standards."

In 2007, "based on increasing consumer preferences," CVS expanded its offerings to include 15 natural beauty brands - six of which meet European standards and seven that have signed the Compact for Safe Cosmetics, according to the retailer - including Avalon Natural Products , Burt's Bees , Jason and Nature's Gate .

CVS also aims to forge relationships with partners that can help it stay informed about scientific research and developments related to the safety of cosmetic ingredients. Further, the firm says it will continuously evaluate its house-brand products in the light of new research findings and survey manufacturers of personal care it sells to understand their protocols for ensuring cosmetic safety.

Whenever appropriate, the retailer will develop action plans to swap out questionable ingredients from its branded and private-label products and will encourage similar measures from its manufacturing partners. Finally, CVS says it will work to educate consumers on cosmetic safety issues.

In a same-day release, the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics claims the policy - the first of its kind to be released by a major drugstore retailer - responds to the campaign's letters and to shareholder resolutions submitted by Boston Common Asset Management in collaboration with the Investor Environmental Health Network, which has been behind similar resolutions filed with Avon and Colgate (¹ Also see "Resolution Urging Firms To Share Nanotech Policy Shows Investor Awareness" - HBW Insight, 12 May, 2008., p. 5).

CVS plans to launch Vickery & Clark Natural Apothecary personal-care products in 2008.

- Ryan Nelson (r.nelson@elsevier.com)

CVS Targets “Ingredients Of Concern” Under New Cosmetic Safety Policy

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