[ beyond mcdonald's ]
Reckitt & Colman in the McSpotlight

| What's Wrong With Reckitt & Colman? | Opposition & Campaigns | Company Profile |



Reckitt & Colman tests its pharmaceutical products on animals, but, according to the company, its Household and Toiletries Division no longer undertakes animal testing, nor does it use contract research houses to carry out testing on its behalf. However, in March 1994, the UKs Advertising Standards Authority found Reckitt & Colman guilty of misleading claims for Down to Earth washing-up liquid. The company claimed that the product was not animal-tested, but the ASA found that some of the ingredients are tested.

Reckitt & Colman is part of the chemicals industry.

 

It is not only the specific practices of individual companies that cause problems. The attitudes created by the currrent system of exploitation gives power and profits to the few, at the expense of people, animals and the environment. It is important to expose the unethical practices of specific companies as their behaviour is often indicative of the entire system.


What's Wrong With ?
Oppresive Regimes

Supporting brutal / repressive regimes

During the apartheid years, Reckitt & Colman had six subsidiaries in South Africa. The company also has operations in Colombia, Egypt, India, Kenya, Mexico, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Sri Lanka and Uganda.

[The Ethical Consumer Guide to Everyday Shopping  published by the Ethical Consumer Research Association. ]

Irresponsible Marketing

Irresponsible marketing

In March 1994, the UKs Advertising Standards Authority found Reckitt & Colman guilty of misleading claims for Down to Earth washing-up liquid. The company claimed that the product was not animal-tested, but the ASA found that some of the ingredients are tested.


[The Ethical Consumer Guide to Everyday Shopping  published by the Ethical Consumer Research Association. ]

Workers' Rights

Exploiting employees

In June 1990, 135 striking members of the chemical workers' union, CWIU, were arrested and charged with trespass at a Reckitt & Colman plant in South Africa.

[The Ethical Consumer Guide to Everyday Shopping  published by the Ethical Consumer Research Association.] 

[ CHAINSAW LOGO ]

Environment

In the year to March 1991, Reckitt & Colman exceeded its discharge consent in the UK at least once according to the NRA and/or the RPBS. The company is also listed as being a member of the British Road Federation, a lobby group that campaigns for more motorways and roads in the UK.

[The Ethical Consumer Guide to Everyday Shopping  published by the Ethical Consumer Research Association. ]

Credits and References: Most of the information in this section was taken from The Ethical Consumer Guide to Everyday Shopping  published by the Ethical Consumer Research Association. 


Opposition and Campaigns

Exploitation and profiteering do not need to exist. A better way of running our lives can be created based on the sharing of resources and on respect for each other and for nature. Increasingly people are questioning and challenging those with power and are seeking alternatives. Let's hope it's possible to make a difference.

Company ProfileProducts and brandnames:

Soap: Dettol
Washing powder and laundry liquids: Down to Earth
Washing up liquid: Down to Earth
Other brand names: Colmans, OK Sauce, Delrosa, Robinsons


Postal address(es):
Reckitt & Colman
1 Burlington Lane
Chiswick
London W4 2RW
UK

Reckitt & Colman Products
Hull
England
HU8 7DS

Reckitt & Colman Pharmaceutical Inc
Richmond
VA 23235
USA
Phone number(s):
not known

Fax number(s):
not known
Online presence:

[ mcspot logo small ]

This information is provided by the McSpotlight internet site, http://www.mcspotlight.org, the most comprehensive source of information about multinationals ever assembled. Please send us any more relevant information for consideration. This page can be printed as a self-standing leaflet. Anti-copyright - please distribute as widely as possible.

The Beyond McDonald's pages provide information about the unethical practices of many other companies and industries. On McSpotlight you can find out What's Wrong With Multinationals, join the debate and get involved with campaigns.

PO Box 10792. London N10 3PQ, UK.
mailto:info@mcspotlight.org