California EPA Publishes Green Chemistry Policies

Posted: January 16, 2009

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5. Accelerate the Quest for Safer Products, creating a systematic, science-based process to evaluate chemicals of concern and alternatives to ensure product safety and reduce or eliminate the need for chemical-by-chemical bans.

6. Move Toward a Cradle-to-Cradle Economy to leverage market forces to produce products that are “benign-by-design” in part by establishing a California Green Products Registry to develop green metrics and tools (e.g., environmental footprint calculators, sustainability inducers) for a range of consumer products and encourage their use by businesses.

According to the agency's report, green chemistry provides a way to manufacture chemicals safely before they become hazards, with the goal of making chemicals and products “benign by design.” The plan plans to reduce the use of toxic substances before they contaminate the environment and consumers.

Among their many goals, the California EPA strives to one day create an online database disclosing ingredient in finished products sold in California. It also aims to train the workforce on green chemistry including courses in universities and public schools. The agency also plans to create incentives for businesses implementing green chemistry in addition to seeking data-sharing opportunities with other states. Finally, the agency plans to organize a panel to review and prioritize chemicals of concern.

The agency finds that these steps could lead to safer consumer products and a safer environment.