Is the toxic tide turning? One company has yet to reveal the 10 chemicals on its priority list. The company also hasn’t explained what exactly it means when it says it will subject these toxins to “continuous reduction, restriction, and elimination.” At Target, the shopping public won’t see the new product ratings; these will be internal.

So far the company has only said that these scores “will inform Target’s merchandising and product-placement decisions.” Even P&G’s phase-outs, which at least are specific and verifiable, are less than they seem—by the company’s own admission; its current use of triclosan and a single phthalate is already negligible.
 
So while we loudly applaud all these companies for joining the urgent conversation about toxic chemicals found in everyday consumer products, we’re not breaking out the champagne just yet. It remains to be seen if these moves mark a legitimate shift toward concrete sustainability or are simply feel-good PR moves that ultimately will mean little or nothing.

As we think about the toxic toys so many kids will play with this holiday season, we certainly hope it’s the former. Still we’re putting more transparency on our holiday wish list.