Home solutions retailer IKEA won over the minds of environmentalists as well as the hearts of the borough's consumers when it came out top of a league table.
When green campaigners Friends of the Earth evaluated its efforts to phase out a group of seven possible cancer causing or hormone disrupting chemicals present in products, the Swedish firm scored 90 per cent.
Friends of the Earth claimed potentially harmful chemicals can be found in floor tiles, glues, food storage boxes, chopping boards, preservatives, perfumes, cosmetics and inks and have been linked to conditions including testicular cancer and the earlier onset of puberty in girls.
IKEA, which boasts a landmark site on the Purley Way in Croydon, was one of 50 stores and manufacturers quizzed on their "risky chemicals" policies.
The Body Shop, Co-op, Marks & Spencer and B& Q also impressed the network, scoring 82 per cent, 77 per cent and 76 per cent respectively, compared with several other high street stores, many of which have branches in Croydon, which Friends of the Earth said have little or no policy.
The campaigning network published the results of the survey to coincide with an EU review of chemical safety regulations.
Dr Michael Warhurst, safer chemicals campaigner at Friends of the Earth, said every day unborn babies, babies and toddlers are exposed to risky chemicals in household products, adding that retailers could opt for safer alternatives.
He added: "Our league table shows that although a few retailers have started to tackle this, most are still not doing enough to reduce the risks to their customers".
Dr Warhurst added: "We want the EU to bring in tough regulations to get rid of chemicals that contaminate our bodies, and to force industry to use the safest chemicals.
"Sweden is already bringing in such policies, but our big worry is that the UK government will block such strong regulation in both the UK and EU."
Meanwhile, last week MEPs voted not to phase out the chemicals.
For information on how to influence the decision making go to www.foe.co.uk
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