The State of California enacted two green chemistry bills AB 18791; SB 5092, by giving the authorization to Department of Toxic Substance Control (DTSC) to regulate toxins in consumer products. AB 1879 grants DTSC authority to develop a regulatory framework enabling state scientists, rather than legislators, to make objective decisions regarding identification, prioritization and regulation of chemicals and chemical uses. The two bills aim to accomplish this by, among other things, creating an advisory panel of scientists to guide research in chemical policy, establishing regulation for assessing alternatives, and setting up an internet database of research on toxins.
AB 1879 puts an end to the time-consuming and less effective 'chemical-by-chemical' ban approach of the past. The bill authorizes DTSC to take certain actions following an assessment that range from "no action" to "restrictions or bans." In this sense, the concept of the CA green chemistry regulations are similar to REACH - The chemicals management regulation of European Union.
Both AB 1879 & SB 509 mark an important change in direction from legislated regulation of specific chemicals and products to a science-directed analysis of chemicals of concern. AB 1879 is consistent with the California Governor Green Chemistry Initiative and ensures that the Initiative will be action-oriented and takes tangible steps to protect the public from dangerous chemicals and replace them with safe alternatives. AB 1879 & SB 509 are engrossed under the California Health and Safety code creating new sections 25252, 25252.5, 25253, 25254, 25255, and 25257 relating to hazardous materials.
Please contact mktg.hk@sgs.com for further information.
1 Assembly Bill No. 1879
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/07-08/bill/asm/ab_1851-1900/ab_1879_bill_20080911_enrolled.pdf
2 Senate Bill No. 509
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/07-08/bill/sen/sb_0501-0550/sb_509_bill_20080903_enrolled.pdf
