Personal Products

Recently, more people have become aware that many of the traditional personal hygiene products (including toothpaste, deodorant, soap, shampoo, conditioner, shaving cream, [Page 336]aftershave, facial cleanser, and feminine care products) can include a number of ingredients that are both harmful to humans and hazardous to the environment. As a consequence, there is a growing consumer market for “green” (sometimes referred to as “natural” or “organic”) personal hygiene products that avoid substances known to cause harmful health effects and that minimize negative impacts on the environment. Because of this increased awareness and demand, many companies are trying to market green products. However, there is currently no universal standard for certification for these products, and consumers can easily become confused or misled about what they are purchasing.

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