Action points 🔍

1. Increase transparency

Little is known about 3M’s production or use of hazardous chemicals. We have requested that the company disclose information about its chemicals management, but it has not responded to that request. To demonstrate a commitment to transparency, 3M should disclose both the share of revenue and production volume of products that are, or contain, hazardous chemicals. This information should cover all operations, including subsidiaries, worldwide. Sabic provides a good example, as it has disclosed its full chemicals portfolio, including production volumes and locations.

2. Map and phase out persistent chemicals

3M is responsible for placing at least 59 persistent chemicals on the US/EU market, where all or most are PFAS chemicals. The risks linked to these “forever chemicals” are becoming increasingly clear, not only for human health and the environment but also for companies and their shareholders. The regulatory tightening, high-profile lawsuits, and rising consumer awareness make business models based on persistent chemicals increasingly risky. 3M has already committed to exiting the manufacture of PFAS by 2025. This is a promising start and should be implemented in alignment with the commitments made. However, it should be expanded to also include products containing PFAS as well as all other persistent substances.

3. Develop safer solutions

3M currently lacks a strict policy for limiting hazardous chemicals in its new product development. As a result, both its existing and future product lines are dependent on substances that run the risk of becoming regulated. Therefore, 3M may face growing challenges in maintaining profitability in the long term. The company should set a 2030 target for the share of revenue generated by products free from hazardous chemicals and develop a strategy to achieve it. A first step should be to, similarly to Lanxess, publicly state that it will not develop or market new end-products containing more than 0.1% of substances that have the characteristics of a Substance of Very High Concern (SVHCs).