OLYMPIA — A guide to toxic chemicals is available for companies interested in finding safer alternatives in products.
The state Department of Ecology worked with agencies in eight other states through Interstate Chemicals Clearinghouse, or IC2, to develop the voluntary guide.
The guide provides technical assistance to companies that want to reduce or eliminate their use of toxic chemicals.
Alternative assessment
The guide is built upon the alternatives assessment process, which was pioneered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Design for the Environment Program.
Alternatives assessment is a process that helps companies make more informed choices about their use of toxic chemicals.
The process helps them consider the potential harm chemicals could have on human health and the environment.
“This is an important tool that will help companies identify safer materials,” said Ecology Director Maia Bellon.
“We commend businesses who are taking a proactive approach to remove toxic chemicals from everyday consumer products.”
Walmart and Target recently announced sustainable chemical and product standards that call for more ingredient disclosure, reducing or eliminating chemicals of concern and safer substitution, Ecology said.
The guide is available on the IC2 website at http://tinyurl.com/pdn-chemicals-guide.
