The effect of information about hazardous chemicals in consumer products on behaviour - A systematic review

Exposure to hazardous chemicals in consumer products poses significant risks to personal health and the environment, and the combined effects may be negative even if each individual exposure is low. This necessitates informed and effective policies for risk reduction. This systematic review aims to identify and analyse existing evidence on how consumer preferences, product use, and product disposal are affected by information on harmful chemicals in consumer products and by price interventions. The review is conducted according to the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, synthesises forty-eight scientific articles on the relationship between information and consumer responses. No corresponding studies on the effects of price interventions were found. A large share of the identified articles focused on household chemicals, where warning labels are common, while less has been published on "everyday products" where the presence of hazardous chemicals is less clear to consumers. Effects of information on hazardous chemicals on consumer behaviour are highly contextual and dependent on the type of product, consumer behaviour and what kind of label is used. Warning symbols are effective in communicating a general warning of a potential danger, although consumers often misinterpret specifics regarding the exact nature of that danger or what means should be taken to minimise it. Informational texts are more informative but are also often missed or quickly forgotten. Consumer willingness to pay for safer products is generally positive but low. Additional research on how consumers react to information and price signals on chemical hazards is needed to improve policy design.