Increasing information on the chemical content of products
To help customers make an informed choice, we’re increasing transparency about our products. Information about chemicals can now be found on specific items such as chrome-free leather sofas available in IKEA stores in the US – and on the local IKEA websites in some countries.
Checking in and phasing out
We have strict requirements that we apply to all products. All chemicals used in, or for making IKEA products should be safe for customers, co-workers and the environment, and take into account the lifecycle of the product. For children’s products, our requirements are even stricter. We test all our children’s products at our own accredited test laboratory in Sweden, as well as at independent accredited test laboratories and institutes around the world.
For many years, we have engaged in research on chemical safety. Our chemical standards regularly go beyond legal requirements, often phasing out chemicals that are suspected of being harmful in advance of legislation. Some examples are lead, flame retardants, PVC and formaldehydes in colours and lacquers.
On our journey towards becoming a fully circular business, minimising exposure to potentially harmful chemicals is vital.
Ensuring supplier safety and compliance
To make sure we keep our value chain free from any harmful substances, we use specific routines for securing the manufacturing process. All IKEA suppliers and service providers must follow our defined minimum requirements when working with chemicals. To ensure these requirements are followed, we carry out random checks on site, as well as tests by third party independent test laboratories.
Increasing awareness among co-workers, consumers and partners
We want everyone in our value chain to be able to easily get information about our work with chemicals. On our journey towards becoming a fully circular business, minimising exposure to potentially harmful chemicals is vital. For example, we will not accept that recycling happens at the expense of chemical safety. This is an on-going journey and as we find new evidence and better ways of doing things, we regularly communicate and share these findings with co-workers, consumers and partners.
