Guide aims to help companies assess chemical safety

ERJ staff report (BC)

Washington, DC - A coalition group of more than 500 leaders from businesses, non-governmental organisations, universities, and government agencies has put together The Guide to Safer Chemicals as a way for companies to assess chemicals and find replacements for potentially harmful chemicals.

“Comprehensive programs for safer chemicals are essential to innovation, informed decisions, and clear communication with suppliers,” said Mark Rossi, lead author of the guide, co-director of Clean Water Action, and founder and co-chair of BizNGO which released the guide today at its seventh annual meeting, which is being held in Berkeley, California.

“This ... is intended to revolutionize the way companies are able to move away from hazardous chemicals and replace them with safer alternatives,” said Rossi. “Such steps offer new market opportunities by positioning U.S. businesses to meet emerging global consumer demands and be far ahead of any regulation.”

There was no immediate comment from the American Chemistry Council on the 64-page guide.

BizNGO said it was motivated to publish the guide because of continued new scientific research that emerges daily that links exposure to chemicals of high concern in products to the increasing incidence of serious chronic health problems, including asthma, childhood cancers, infertility and learning and developmental disabilities.

“The uncertainty surrounding the safety of chemicals is eroding consumer confidence in a wide range of products,” said BizNGO, whose stated mission is to promote the creation and adoption of safer chemicals and sustainable materials.

“The Guide will be an evolving resource of current and best practices of how organizations can implement safer alternatives to chemicals of high concern to human health or the environment,” stated BizNGO, which is a project of Clean Water Action.

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This is an abridged version of a story at Plastics News.