Products

Chemicals and Product Stewardship

See the 2008 NWPSC Chemical Subcommittee Issue paper (PDF file, 74KB) to learn more about the subcommittee activities and next steps.

What is the Problem?

Many harmful chemicals are used in manufacturing and in products without adequate laws to protect human health and the environment. Deficiencies in federal chemical regulations, primarily the US Toxic Substances Control Act, have been well-documented in governmental and academic analyses (see references).

There are gaps in the laws:

• That allow chemicals that are known chemical hazards to be used in products and processes
• In the disclosure of what chemicals are used in products and materials
• In the information gathered to assess chemical hazards or identify safer alternatives.

A broader preventative approach is needed that makes public health and environmental protection the priority.

The Product Stewardship Solution

Designers, manufacturers and producers should take responsibility for minimizing the environmental and health impacts of their products. Where no alternatives to toxic components and ingredients exist, the producer should be responsible for assisting in the management of the product at the end of life. Policies that restrict toxic chemicals and promote safer alternatives result in safer products that are easier to reuse and recycle. Chemical policy reform should:

• Restrict the use of certain hazardous and toxic chemicals and materials.
• Require that all chemical and material manufacturers evaluate and report the environmental and human health hazards of these chemicals and materials to a regulatory body for registration and approval or denial prior to production and sale.
• Require that producers disclose all chemicals used in their manufacturing processes and products.
• Require that producers provide clear and uniform environmental, health hazard and safety information to sellers, for all materials and products, which can then be provided to their customers in an audience-appropriate format.
• Promote, or are consistent with, the precautionary principle to protect health and the environment.
• Require the producer to be responsible, either physically or financially, for the end-of-life management of disposal products containing a toxic chemical.

Read more about solutions and recommendations in the NWPSC Chemical Policy Subcommittee Issue Paper (PDF file, 74KB).

References

• United States Environmental Protection Agency. (1998). Chemical Hazard Data Availability Study. U.S. Government Printing Office. Washington D.C.
• United States General Accounting Office. (1994). Toxic Substances Control Act: Legislative Changes Could Make the Act More Effective (GAO/RCED-94-103) (PDF file, 5.33MB). U.S. Government Printing Office. Washington D.C.
• United States Government Accountability Office. (2005). Chemical Regulation: Options Exist to Improve EPA’s Ability to Assess Health Risks and Manage its Chemicals Review Program. U.S. Government Printing Office. Washington D.C.
• United States Government Printing Office. (1995). Screening and Testing of Chemicals in Commerce: Background Paper (PDF file, 859KB). Congress of the United States Office of Technology Assessment. Washington D.C.
• Wilson, Michael P., Chia, Daniel A., Ehlers, Bryan C. (2006 & 2008). Green Chemistry reports including: Green Chemistry: Cornerstone to a Sustainable California and Green Chemistry in California: A Framework for Leadership in Chemicals Policy and Innovation. California Policy Research Center, University of California.

Acknowledgements

The NWPSC efforts in chemicals policy and product stewardship are supported by representatives from Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Public Health-Seattle and King County, Thurston County Public Health and Social Services, Metro, Portland, Washington State Department of Ecology, King County Solid Waste Division, the Local Hazardous Waste Management Program in King County and the Toxic-Free Legacy Coalition.

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