Tools

Government Policies

STATE OF MAINE IDENTIFIES 1,700 TOXIC CHEMICALS OF HIGH CONCERN
Maine Department of Environmental Quality
June 2009
Pursuant to Maine's 2008 Kid Safe Products Act, Maine has listed 1,700 "Chemicals of High Concern". A shorter list of "priority chemicals" will subsequently be named and this can lead to future regulatory requirements.
To view the Maine program, click here

CALIFORNIA GREEN CHEMISTRY INITIATIVE FINAL REPORT AND PROGRAM
California Department of Toxic Substances Control/California Environmental Protection Agency
December 2008
This report contains six key recommendations for promoting green chemistry, product ingredient disclosure, workforce education and training, technology transfer and the like. The California legislature has thus far enacted two recommendations into law. The Department of Toxic Substances Control is working to implement the new legislative requirements.
To view the report, click here
To get an overview of California's green chemistry program, click here

ACTIONS ARE NEEDED TO IMPROVE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF EPA’S CHEMICAL REVIEW PROGRAM
US Government Accountability Office
August 2006
A one page statement based on a detailed 2005 GAO report, describing the many limitations of the federal regulatory structure for toxic chemicals, including the failure to generate toxicity data on chemicals and the high hurdles EPA faces to ban or restrict chemicals.
To view statement, click here

ENVIRONMENT: CALIFORNIA OUT IN FRONT
Environmental Health Perspectives
March 2007
This article from the journal of the National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences at the National Institutes of Health, discusses California’s leadership efforts on green chemistry, in the face of the failure of federal toxic chemical regulatory efforts.
To view article, click here

GREEN CHEMISTRY IN CALIFORNIA: A FRAMEWORK FOR LEADERSHIP IN CHEMICALS POLICY AND INNOVATION
University of California, Berkeley
March 2006
This four page summary of a 130-page report commissioned by the California legislature addresses federal regulatory failure and discusses the economic benefits to California of developing a green chemistry initiative and associated regulatory framework.
To view brief, click here

MAINE GOVERNOR’S TASK FORCE TO PROMOTE SAFER CHEMICALS IN CONSUMER PRODUCTS FINAL REPORT
December 2007
The task force concludes federal regulation is inadequate, the health costs of toxic chemicals in consumer products are significant, companies need better information about the health impacts of the chemicals in their products, and growing markets for safer products will encourage innovation and provide economic opportunity for Maine.
To view report, click here