The Soap and Detergent Association (SDA - www.cleaning101.com) is the Home of the U.S. Cleaning Product and Oleochemical Industries^SM, the non-profit trade association representing manufacturers of household, industrial, and institutional cleaning products, their ingredients and finished packaging; oleochemical producers; and chemical distributors to the cleaning product
industry.

SDA members produce more than 90 percent of the cleaning products marketed in the U.S.

Vision:

Enhancing health and the quality of life through sustainable cleaning products and practices.

SDA’s mission is to support the sustainability of the cleaning product and oleochemical industries, through research, education, outreach and science-based advocacy.

Established in 1926, SDA is dedicated to advancing public understanding of the safety and benefits of cleaning products, and protecting the ability of its members to formulate products that best meet consumer needs. SDA serves both its members and the public by developing and sharing information about industry products with the technical community, policy makers, child care and health professionals, educators, media and consumers.

A 25-member Board of Directors consisting of elected representatives from member companies, both large and small, sets policy for the Association. Over 40 committees, subcommittees, task forces and working groups carry out programs.

SDA programs address a variety of human health and environmental safety issues from several perspectives.

Research
SDA technical programs provide the foundation for scientifically sound public legislative and regulatory judgments about industry products and ingredients. Significant publications based on this work include:

• Reports summarizing data on the environmental fate and effects and human safety of six classes of surfactants.
• Peer-reviewed articles that describe an environmental risk assessment approach for cleaning product ingredients, and approaches to human risk assessment and risk management for evaluating cleaning products.
• Environmental risk assessments on ingredients.
• A manual on safe enzyme handling practices in the workplace.

Current SDA environmental research is focused on septic systems, surfactants sorbed to sediments, water re-use and anaerobic biodegradability. Human health and safety technical work is directed at achieving appropriate regulation for antibacterial hand and body wash products; promoting safe practices in the use of enzyme technology; and advancing the use of non-animal testing in the safety assessment of cleaning products.

In a current major effort, several SDA-managed consortia are carrying out work associated with sponsorship of approximately 130 chemicals under the EPA Industry Challenge Program for high production volume chemicals.

On the international front, SDA leads a U.S. coalition that is providing input to the U.S. government and international industry associations on a United Nations program to establish a harmonized system for the classification of hazards and labeling worldwide for physical, health and environmental effects of substances and mixtures. Federal level interactions are ongoing with the Environmental Protection Agency, the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Food and Drug Administration on several issues.

Government Affairs
SDA participates at the federal, state and local levels in legislative and regulatory activities that may affect the formulation, marketing, packaging, distribution, use and disposal of industry products.

Consumer Education
SDA education efforts are directed at understanding the issues and needs of consumer communicators and educators, and addressing them by providing materials that encourage the safe, effective and responsible use of household cleaning products.

For example, recent SDA education programs have focused on:

• Lifestyle strategies and cleaning practices for controlling allergens in the home. Informational materials have been developed for health professionals and educators, and consumers.
• Joint industry/government program to educate the public on proper handwashing, kitchen surface cleaning and other safe food handling practices.
• Inter-industry efforts to publicize the proper use of high efficiency laundry detergents and appliances.

Communications
SDA public relations efforts are designed to communicate the benefits and safety of cleaning products, and to expand awareness of SDA as an information resource for media and other key audiences about the industry and its products.

The SDA National Cleaning Surveys provide the media with newsworthy findings about consumer cleaning attitudes and behavior. SDA also Releases cleaning tips and other information to the media on a regular basis.

The SDA web site (www.cleaning101.com) features extensive information about laundry, dishwashing and household cleaning products, as well as reports on environmental and human safety issues. Most SDA consumer information can be downloaded from the site; other publications can be ordered on-line.

Liaison with Other Associations
SDA participates in projects with other trade associations when they are beneficial to member companies and the public interest, and shares information on key industry issues with related associations in other countries. International alliances include Canadian Consumer Specialty Products Association, A.I.S.E., CESIO, the European Oleochemicals & Allied Products Group, and the Japan Soap and Detergent Association.

Awards
In collaboration with the American Oil Chemists’ Society (AOCS), SDA sponsors the SDA Glycerine Innovation Award . In addition, SDA annually sponsors the SDA Award, which recognizes the best technical paper published in the AOCS’ Journal of Surfactants and Detergents.