Ecolab

Ecolab is a global provider of water, hygiene and energy technologies and services for customers in food service, food processing, hospitality, healthcare, industrial, oil and gas markets. The company’s services include water treatments, cleaning and sanitising solutions, pest elimination, kitchen repair and maintenance services. Ecolab operates in more than 170 countries around the world.

Total score

14 / 48

Grade summary

Ecolab produces 19 SIN List substances (including one persistent chemical), seven of which are officially recognised as chemicals of high concern by the EU. The company has a method in place to screen and assess the sustainability of…

Product Portfolio

2 / 18

Ecolab produces 19 SIN List substances, seven of which are included on the REACH Candidate List and one of which is also found on the REACH Authorisation List. The company produces one persistent chemical. Persistent chemicals are particularly problematic since they do not break down, instead they accumulate in humans and/or the environment. Because of this, persistent chemicals should be of extra concern for investors. Substances which are not considered a problem today could become huge liabilities in the future.

Development of Safer Chemicals

5 / 12

Ecolab has a method in place to screen and assess the sustainability of its products and includes intrinsic hazards of ingredients in the screening process. The company does not follow the principles of green chemistry or use the GreenScreen assessment tool, nor does it exclude substances with toxic properties from new products. It does, however, actively market safer alternatives on its website.

Management & Transparency

4 / 12

Ecolab shares chemical safety information on its website but does not have a phase-out strategy for hazardous substances. Ecolab actively reports on the content of SVHCs in its finished products. The company is not a member of Responsible Care but follows voluntary standards such as a Code of Conduct and a Supplier Code of Conduct.