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December 20, 2012

News and information on the cleaning products industry

Business Update

Tide Pods surge forward with a focus on efficiency
Procter & Gamble says sales of its single-dose laundry detergent Tide Pods will surpass $500 million in its first year. The Pods, which came to market in February, now command 73% of the single-dose market. The Pods don't come cheap, and no price promotions were offered during the launch year, so marketing has focused on the value that the Pods provide through efficiency, analysts say. Advertising Age (tiered subscription model) (12/18), American City Business Journals/Cincinnati (12/14)

Possible U.S.-EU deal has chemical industry concerned
A work group involving U.S. and European Union officials is expected to issue recommendations this month on whether the Obama administration and the EU should launch another round of negotiations on a chemicals free-trade agreement. U.S. companies are concerned that the agreement will adhere to more stringent EU regulations. InsideEPA.com (subscription required) (12/18)

Science and Policy

Feds have debated triclosan for decades, expert says
Despite years of extensive studies showing the safety and effectiveness of triclosan, federal agencies are still reviewing the antibacterial ingredient's use in products such as soap, says Paul Alexander, author of the book "Pandemic: The Story of People vs. Germs." Businesses that use the ingredient in products can face regulatory uncertainty because of governmental indecision, he says. Fox Business (12/7)

Learn about the safety and effectiveness of antibacterial products at FightGermsNow.com.

Dog detects deadly bacterial infection in humans
Cliff, a 2-year-old beagle, has been trained to detect the bacterium Clostridium difficile, which is responsible for up to 14,000 human deaths annually in the U.S. Cliff correctly identified the infection in 25 of 30 people and determined that 265 of 270 uninfected people didn't have the bacteria. Researchers say dogs could be trained to detect the infection more quickly than conventional tests. "One big question for me is, 'What else can a dog's amazing sensory apparatus be utilized to detect?'" said Dr. Bruce Hirsch, an infectious disease specialist. WebMD (12/13)

Sustainability

Calif. to release long-awaited "green chemistry" rules next month
Manufacturers, including the makers of cleaning products, are expressing concern about "green chemistry" regulations set to be released in January. The results of the new rules are unpredictable, as it's unclear which products will be affected, according to Gene Livingston, an attorney for the Green Chemical Alliance. The California Chamber of Commerce warns that the new regulations could make some products unavailable or force consumers to pay more for products. Capital Public Radio (Calif.) (12/18)

Consumers want to try green cleaning products, research finds
Seventy percent of Americans want to use green products such as household cleaners, but many consumers are unsure about how well green cleaners perform, according to research by The Shelton Group. Despite many consumers' expressions of concern about the performance of green cleaners they've used, nearly half said they were willing to try another green home cleaning product, the research found. HAPPI magazine (12/2012)

ACI News

ACI Convention: Early Bird Registration Rates End January 4
There are only a few days left to qualify for early bird registration rates at ACI's 2013 Annual Meeting & Industry Convention in Orlando, Florida, January 28-February 2. The early bird rates expire January 4! You shouldn't wait another minute to get set for the cleaning product industry's top business event. Visit ACI's website for more information or contact meetings@cleaninginstitute.org.

'Tis the Season ... for Stains
The longer stains sit on a fabric, the more difficult they may be to remove. The American Cleaning Institute's Nancy Bock provides tips for removing holiday stains in ACI's Cleaning Matters.

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To be without some of the things you want is an indispensable part of happiness."

--Bertrand Russell,
British philosopher, mathematician and historian

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