Environmental Working Group
Description
The Environmental Working Group is a nonprofit that researches and campaigns on environmental health and toxic chemicals.
It specializes in agricultural subsidies, toxic chemicals, drinking water pollutants and corporate accountability. Its team of scientists, policy experts, lawyers and communications staff works to reform chemical safety and agricultural laws. It publishes consumer-facing research, including reports rating pesticide residues on produce, ratings of sunscreens, and a database of tap water quality across the United States.
The group pushes industries to adopt safer standards and gives consumers information to make choices about the products they buy. It also advocates on Capitol Hill and works with government and regulators to change legislation it sees as outdated. It has campaigned for stronger regulation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in water.
The organization was founded in 1993 by Ken Cook and Richard Wiles and is headquartered in Washington, D.C. Its affiliated lobbying arm, the EWG Action Fund, was founded in 2002.
Latest news
What California’s paraquat phaseout means for your state
What California’s paraquat phaseout means for your state Anthony Lacey September 21, 2026 When California regulators asked the pesticide industry for more information about the toxic chemical paraquat , the companies abandoned the state instead of providing the data. It’s a telling sign that...
Big Tobacco made Lunchables to hook kids on highly processed food
Big Tobacco made Lunchables to hook kids on highly processed food Anthony Lacey September 16, 2026 Lunchables have been popular since the 1980s, giving kids a quick meal on the go. But most parents don’t know who had a hand in creating them and getting kids hooked: Big Tobacco. The make-your-own...
Betraying MAHA, Senate GOP farm bill would erase progress on regenerative agriculture
Betraying MAHA, Senate GOP farm bill would erase progress on regenerative agriculture Anthony Lacey September 17, 2026 Anne Schechinger, M.S. September 17, 2026 Overview Regenerative agriculture is part of the Make America Healthy Again agenda that top Trump administration officials often tout...
EWG evaluation of food chemicals: Aspartame
EWG evaluation of food chemicals: Aspartame rcoleman September 17, 2026 Dayna de Montagnac, MPH Sydney Evans, MPH Tasha Stoiber, Ph.D. Jump to: What is aspartame and why is it added to food? Where is aspartame found in foods? What is the regulatory status of aspartame? Are foods containing...
EWG statement on EPA rollback of PFAS water permit discharge guidance
EWG opposes rewrite of proposed ASTM standard that could still classify hazardous amphibole particles as non-asbestos Anthony Lacey September 15, 2026 Attached are EWG’s comments to ASTM International opposing a second proposed standard for classifying elongate amphibole particles. EWG remains...
Similar organizations
NRDC, the Natural Resources Defense Council, is an environmental advocacy group that combines legal action, science and policy work to protect the planet.
The Centre for Alternative Technology, CAT, is an environmental charity and eco-centre dedicated to teaching and demonstrating sustainable living, based...
Marine Stewardship Council is an international non-governmental organisation that works to preserve wild ocean life through sustainable fishing.