Rite Aid Chemical Policy Update

The pharmacy chain Rite Aid expanded its chemical management policy on March 3, 2021 to add transparency, include additional chemicals on their restricted substance list, and update their screening method.  Transparency for the new policy requires suppliers to be more specific in listing their ingredients, such as replacing ‘fragrance’ with the ingredients that make up the fragrance.  These generic terms will be replaced with the substances in those components.  Additionally, Rite Aid is encouraging their suppliers to disclose nonfunctional constituents such as by-products and contaminants.  This additional level of detail on the packaging of products sold at Rite Aid stores will become mandatory by December 2023.

Rite Aid initially had eight chemicals on its restricted substance list (triclosan, propyl paraben, formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate, toluene, diethyl phthalate, butyl paraben, and nonylphenol ethoxylates).  The new policy has added 61 chemicals.  These chemicals include heavy metals, PFAS, Bisphenols, and solvents.

Along with updating their chemical management policy, Rite Aid has transitioned away from survey-based assessments for identifying chemicals on the restricted substance list.  Rite Aid began the transition process to WERCSmart in September 2018 and has now finish the transition.  Rite Aid suppliers are required to report the substances in their products to WERCSmart.  WERCSmart then analyzes the substances to see if they meet the retailer’s policy.  The chemical management policy does not address CBI issues, although WERCSmart may protect confidential data.