Staples earned a letter grade of C, which is an improvement over its 2018 grade of D+. The company scored 49.75 out of 146.5 possible points and ranked 18th out of the 43 retailers evaluated this year.
Staples improved its score with its recent release of a public-facing chemicals policy, which includes a list of priority chemicals for the retailer and its suppliers to address. This list includes PFAS as a class, as well as a number of phthalates, flame retardants, methylene chloride, NMP, TCE, and bisphenols. The policy specifically references concerns about endocrine-disrupting chemicals, which are an important and often overlooked category of concern. In discussing safer alternatives, the retailer also notes the utilization of a hazard-based approach, superior to the more common risk-based methodology. The policy does not, however, have quantifiable goals for implementation.
Opportunities for improvement: Staples can make progress by setting clear requirements to enforce its beyond restricted substance list (BRSL) and setting public quantifiable goals with clear timelines for reducing and eliminating any chemicals of high concern (CHCs). Staples should also follow up to its signing on to the Chemical Footprint Project by publicly releasing its total chemical footprint and a detailed plan to reduce it.
Summary of Staples’ Grade

5.5 out of 17.5 points
Policy: Adopted a retailer safer chemicals policy

2.5 out of 5 points
Oversight: Established management responsibilities and incentives

2.5 out of 12.5 points
Accountability: Ensures supply chain accountability

5 out of 13 points
Disclosure: Requires suppliers to report use of chemicals in products to retailer

0 out of 16 points
Action: Reduced or eliminated chemicals of high concern (CHCs) within the last three years

6.5 out of 13.5 points
Safer Alternatives: Evaluates safer alternatives, avoids regrettable substitutes

8.25 out of 18 points
Transparency: Demonstrates a commitment to transparency and public disclosure
Staples’ policy formally encourages its suppliers to “provide chemical information on their packaging and/or web sites and to openly share information about chemicals on [its] Priority Chemicals of Concern List with customers when requested.” As it is unclear the extent of the chemical information and the extent to which it is “requested,” we have awarded partial credit.

1.5 out of 7.5 points
Chemical Footprint: Evaluates its chemical footprint

3 out of 8.5 points
Third-party Standards: Promotes credible third party standards for safer products
Extra Credit:

0 out of 5 points
Joint Announcement: Public commitment demonstrated through joint announcement

5 out of 15 points
Continuous Improvement: Shows continuous improvement by steadily expanding safer chemicals policy

2.5 out of 5 points
Safer Products: Program to promote safer products in stores and/or on website

5 out of 5 points
Collaboration: Actively participates in collaborative process to promote safer chemicals

2.5 out of 5 points
Impact Investment: Investing financial resources into independent research into safer alternatives and/or green chemistry solutions