The Environmental Working Group Asks Sigg to Refund Customers

At the snazzy and informative EWG Kid Safe Chemicals Act Interactive Magazine, you can find this letter from EWG president, Ken Cook. I'm happy they've stepped in to offer this. These bottles at 20 dollars a pop were certainly not cheap. Thousands of parents have spent tons of money outfitting our families with these bottles.

And for some insight into the past saga between EWG and Sigg, check this post out. Turns out EWG has been concerned about Sigg for a long time, and was threatened to be sued by Sigg for alleging their bottles had BPA. And they were right all along! This story just keeps getting worse as more details are revealed.

Here's the letter. Thanks, EWG and Ken Cook!

The Environmental Working Group
1436 U St NW
Washington, DC 20009

Stewart Kohl
Co-Chief Executive Officer
The Riverside Company
Terminal Tower
50 Public Square
29th Floor
Cleveland, Ohio 44113

September 4, 2009

Dear Mr. Kohl:

On behalf of the Environmental Working Group (EWG), I write to ask that you issue an unambiguous apology for misleading consumers and retailers about whether SIGG bottles contain the toxic chemical bisphenol-A (BPA).

I further urge you to modify SIGG Switzerland CEO Steve Wasik’s recent announcement of a SIGG voluntary bottle exchange program. Consumers should be able to take SIGG bottles that contain BPA to an authorized SIGG retailer and receive a refund for the full retail value of the product. The cost of the refund should be covered by SIGG.

The announced exchange policy, which forces customers to accept a replacement SIGG bottle, puts them in the untenable position of having to trust Mr. Wasik and his team about the composition and safety of the replacement product.

It is our view that SIGG’s reputation will be difficult to restore while Mr. Wasik remains at the helm of the company.

Sincerely,

Kenneth A. Cook
President
Environmental Working Group

CC:
Béla Szigethy
Co-Chief Executive Officer
The Riverside Company
45 Rockefeller Center
630 Fifth Avenue
Suite 2400
New York, NY 10111

Steve Wasik
Chief Executive Officer
SIGG Switzerland AG
Walzmühlestrasse 62
CH-8501 Frauenfeld
Switzerland