Ikea

IKEA has a robust written policy that it refers to as its “Chemical Strategy.” In addition to other documented purchasing policies, it applies to products, packaging, and all of its operations and sales globally, and it includes a Beyond Restricted Substances List (BRSL) of chemicals that are prohibited. IKEA required elimination of use of chromium in the manufacture (tanning) of its leather materials. Although some chromium remains in the leather and can be released and trigger allergic reactions, it appears that the company’s motivation was to reduce environmental pollution and protect leather workers. Additionally, IKEA noted that it implemented a new production technique for artificial leather, cutting levels of the solvent dimethylformamide (DMF) by 80%. Therefore, we give the company credit for having a Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (MRSL) in at least one product category.

While IKEA’s website references its Chemical Strategy and various examples of its application are available, the policy itself is not publicly available (a version was shared with us for our 2017 report card). Additionally, while IKEA has made numerous pledges to have fully eliminated a number of chemicals of high concern, little information quantifying these commitments is publicly available. As a result of not having public disclosure of its policy and quantified public goals, we have awarded credit for 5 of the 6 policy elements.

Senior managers are assigned, and have specific responsibilities in their job description. The company provided documentation of how board oversight of its chemical safety processes is provided. While the company does not have a direct financial incentive for senior management, partial credit was given for a competitive sustainable design award program called Green Design Awards, which recognized an employee team in 2015 for innovating a textile barrier that eliminates the need for flame retardant chemicals.

IKEA has documented meeting all four criteria for accountability. In discussing its recent elimination of PFAS chemicals from textiles, IKEA describes its accountability program, stating: “All IKEA products go through a thorough testing process before being put on the market. In order to secure compliance to the requirements IKEA does regular verifying tests both on material and final products. IKEA also carries out random checks and audits.” All suppliers, in addition to meeting the specifications for the product, agree to meeting IKEA’s supplier code of conduct, referred to as the “IWAY Standard” which outlines expectations and creates an avenue for ongoing engagement between the retailer and its suppliers.

IKEA’s specification documents for its suppliers require various degrees of ingredient disclosure depending upon the type of product. For “chemical products,” including candles that are intended for children, the company requires full information on all ingredients and known impurities that are on its hazard lists, full information on any biocides, and details on all other ingredients constituting >1%. For similar non-children products, it requires information on “hazardous” chemical ingredients or impurities >0.01%.

IKEA reported to us in 2018 that it has phased out cobalt, benzophenone, and two biocides (Biphenyl-2-ol, Sodium-2-biipphenylate) from surface coatings and coverings and banned benzophenone as a stabilizer in polymers. Additionally, the company banned all PFAS in textiles (2016), launched new fire barrier interline without the need for flame retardant chemicals (2015), banned bisphenols in food contact materials (2015), and replaced compact fluorescent lighting with LEDs, eliminating mercury (2015). IKEA says that FY 16 was the first year in which 100% of the leather used was produced with chrome-free processes, but no specific metrics on reduction of chemicals used were reported.

IKEA evaluates availability and safety of alternatives when targeting chemicals of high concern for replacement. The IKEA Chemical Strategy includes objectives to assess all materials used in IKEA products for chemical safety and to phase out substances or materials that could cause harm. IKEA says that prior to phasing out chemicals of high concern, the company asks and answers the following questions: “1. Is the chemical really needed? Is the particular property really needed? 2. If yes, can we develop/change the material (with no need for chemicals)? 3. Can an alternative substance be used? Are the alternatives available really more safe? What data are available?” These are the right questions to ask, and while IKEA’s documents do not explicitly detail how this guidance is applied, IKEA provided us with additional information on its alternative screening that demonstrates it meets the Mind the Store campaign’s definition. The retailer does not appear to have integrated this process into the product development process yet.

IKEA’s Beyond Restricted Substances List (BRSL) is publicly available. Information on the company’s Chemical Strategy has been publicly summarized, and a copy was provided to us for review, but the full version is not publicly available.

IKEA does not fully disclose the ingredients for its products. The detailed “Product Information” for some products featured online includes material ingredient content and statements that they do not contain harmful chemicals, and for selected categories, the retailer has noted that specific chemicals of high concern have been eliminated. The retailer stated: “We have decided to prioritize product types and substances on which we receive a lot of questions from customers, NGOs etc. IKEA believe that this add more value than stating the content of the various materials in our products.” We have awarded 1.5 points for identifying some products in which chemicals of high concern have been removed.

No discernible progress on chemical footprint.

IKEA has largely dismissed the value of third-party standards, writing in a factsheet on its website: “There are hundreds of environmental certificates in the world. We have chosen not to use them. Instead, our customers can rely on the IKEA logo – it represents our full responsibility for safe, healthy and legally compliant products, produced with as little impact on the environment as possible.”

No discernible public commitment via joint announcement.

IKEA has demonstrated significant, consistent, and long-term progress in banning or phasing out chemicals of high concern in its products, including: formaldehyde in wood casings (1993), PVC except for electrical articles (1996), azo dyes releasing carcinogenic arylamines in textiles/leather (1996), all brominated flame retardants except for electrical articles (2000), Cr-VI in chrome plating (2005), BPA in plastic for children’s products (0-7 years) (2006), lead in metal fittings (2006), Cr-VI in chromating/anodising (2008), lead in mirror backings (2010), BPA in polycarbonate in food contact products (2012), mercury in light sources (replaced by LED) (2015), per- and poly-fluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) in textiles (2016), and cobalt, benzophenone, and two biocides (Biphenyl-2-ol, Sodium-2-biipphenylate) from surface coatings and coverings and banned benzophenone as stabilizer in polymers (2018).

No discernible program to feature and market safer products on store shelves and/or website.

Participated in Green Chemistry and Commerce Council (GC3) Retailer webinar series; serves as a member of the Business Group of ChemSec, a European NGO that works for safer chemicals.

IKEA started IKEA GreenTech, an investment company that supports start-up technologies that make its business more sustainable. IKEA GreenTech invests in companies/suppliers working with clean technology, energy management and greener chemistry.

For example, IKEA GreenTech has invested in DyeCoo Textile Systems, a Dutch company that has developed the first commercially available dyeing technology using much less water and lower amounts of chemicals. This was described in the sustainability report a few years ago. See more info about IKEA GreenTech at http://ikea.greentechab.com