‘Green Chemistry’ program should mind economy

(The California Chamber of Commerce) The California Chamber of Commerce is urging members to speak out about a state program affecting nearly all firms that manu­facture or sell consumer products in the state.

The CalChamber is asking members to contact state officials and let them know that California’s developing “green chemistry” program needs to be designed so that the regulations are practicable, cost-efficient, based on sound science and developed in a way that protects the state’s economy from further harm.

On October 2, the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) released its second “straw proposal” for regulations to implement 2008 legislation creating the state’s Green Chemistry Initiative—AB 1879 (Feuer; D-Los Angeles, Chapter 559) and SB 509 (Simitian; D-Palo Alto, Chapter 560).

A core element of the law calls for an analysis of “safer” alternatives to “chemicals of concern” in consumer products.
Sweeping Impact

Although the straw proposal is not a formal regulation at this time, the program described would have sweeping ramifications on virtually all industry sectors in California that manufacture or sell consumer products in the state, subjecting an estimated 10,000 chemicals and millions of consumer products to the proposed regulatory scheme. The proposal does not reflect the intent of the legislation creating the green chemistry program.

Some of the product categories specifically mentioned by DTSC include:

* products intended for infants and children like toys, clothing and furnishings;
* products for use in K-12 schools;
* personal care products, such as cosmetics;
* clothing, shoes, linens and textiles;
* cleaning products, fragrance, scent, deodorizers;
* home furnishings;
* food preparation, storage, packaging, pots and pans, utensils and bags.

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