NOT CURRENT YEAR

Grade C-
ChemScore report card 2020

Sherwin-Williams

Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, the Sherwin-Williams Company manufactures, distributes and sells paints and coatings. The company’s products are sold to professional, industrial and commercial customers, but also directly to retail customers primarily in North and South America. Sherwin-Williams has additional operations in the Caribbean region, Europe, and Asia.
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Total score
15 / 48

Grade summary

Sherwin-Williams uses and markets 18 SIN List substances (including one persistent chemical), six 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 its products and includes intrinsic hazards of ingredients in the screening process. It does not, however, have a phase-out strategy for hazardous substances. The company follows several voluntary standards of good conduct, but has, nonetheless, been involved in numerous environmental controversies over the last ten years, including air pollution and contamination of soil and water.

ChemSec’s ideas for improvement

  1. Sherwin-Williams has involved the most critical scientists and environmental NGOs to develop a safer alternative to BPA can lining. The company should publish standards and process developments created with these third parties to inspire other chemical companies to do the same.
  2. The company should publicly commit to phasing out hazardous chemicals before safer alternatives or solutions are found. Publicly announced phase-out plans with clear deadlines show determination and a serious will to move forward in a sustainable direction.
  3. Sherwin-Williams should also improve the company’s compliance with regulations. This includes stricter controls, better communication and internal revisions.

Category breakdown

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Product Portfolio
4 / 18

Sherwin-Williams uses and markets 18 SIN List substances, six of which are included on the REACH Candidate List and two of which are 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.

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Development of Safer Chemicals
7 / 12

Sherwin-Williams 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 exclude substances with toxic properties from new products or follow the principles of green chemistry. It does, however, make use of the GreenScreen assessment tool and actively markets safer alternatives.

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Management & Transparency
4 / 12

The American company shares chemical safety information on its website but does not have a phase-out strategy for hazardous substances. Sherwin-Williams is not a member of Responsible Care, or similar initiatives, but follows voluntary standards such as a Code of Conduct and a Supplier Code of Conduct.

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Lack of Controversies
0 / 6

In January 2019, the South Coast Air Quality Management District sued Sherwin-Williams for 30 million USD over claims that its paints violate air pollution standards. According to the lawsuit, the company supplied solvents, wall coatings, paint thinners, sealants and adhesives to businesses and its own retail outlets in Southern California that exceeded allowable levels for certain smog-producing compounds. Other penalties imposed over the past decade include violations involving hazardous waste storage, hazardous material transportation, contamination of soil, water and air, and providing misleading information to consumers.

Download detailed information on controversies (PDF, 119 KB)
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Overall rank
11 / 35
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Total score
15 / 48
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Product Portfolio
4 / 18
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Development of Safer Chemicals
7 / 12
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Management & Transparency
4 / 12
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Lack of Controversies
0 / 6
Download report
Other years
Year Rank Total score
2023 20 / 50 15 / 48
2022 36 / 54 11 / 48
2021 12 / 50 17 / 48
2020 11 / 35 15 / 48