The Chemicals Policy and Science Initiative (CPSI) is a project of the Lowell Center for Sustainable Production at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. The Initiative seeks to:
- significantly advance the dialog around chemicals policy reform in the US;
- assist in the development of sustainable chemicals management outside the US;
- encourage the development and use of safer alternatives by creating and promoting a comprehensive framework for alternatives assessment; and
- identify tools and appropriate ways of assisting green chemistry innovation and safer management of chemicals throughout the supply chain.
The Chemicals Policy and Science Initiative is currently involved in a variety of projects aimed at advancing discussion of chemicals policy reform and the adoption of green chemistry and design for environment programs in government and industry.
Engagement with Industry
The Green Chemistry and Commerce Council
The Green Chemistry and Commerce Council (GC3) provides open conversation about the challenges to and opportunities for successful corporate transitions to safer chemicals management through Design for Environment and Green Chemistry approaches. This primarily business-to-business dialog engages participants in an annual Innovators Roundtable and maintains three working groups that conduct research, develop tools, and support policy innovation. The three working groups work on 1) identifying tools for safer chemicals assessment, 2) advancing Design for Environment and Green Chemistry approaches in government, and 3) identifying drivers that exist for innovation and marketing of safer products.
Current projects of the GC3 include:
- Garnering support for the passage of the Federal Green Chemistry Research and Development Bill and funding of government green chemistry and design for environment efforts
- Engaging the retail sector around best practices in product chemicals management in the retail industry
- Conducting case studies on the ways companies get information on chemicals from their supply chain and then apply that information
- Developing an ideal minimum chemical hazard data set that would ensure confidence that their product sustainability claims are accurate
- Engaging the academic community around green chemistry and design for environment
Visit the Green Chemistry and Commerce Council for more information.
Technical Support to Companies Advancing Safer Products
The Chemicals Policy and Science Initiative staff provide technical support periodically to specific companies working to advance safer products. Through these efforts CPSI staff can more effectively understand the challenges companies face as well as the tools for safer chemical assessment that can be applied to a range of other firms and policies.
If you are interested in working with the Chemicals Policy and Science Initiative on a project at your company, please contact us.
Engagement with State Governments
The Chemicals Policy and Science Initiative is actively engaging with states on their chemicals policy efforts through:
- Hosting bi-monthly calls with staff from state agencies and legislative offices to discuss issues and information relevant to chemicals policy initiatives in many US states
- Developing a green chemistry road map for states interested in instituting green chemistry initiatives
- Convening state agencies looking to identify and assess alternatives to hazardous chemicals in regular conference calls and meetings to design an Inter-State Chemicals Clearinghouse (IC2)
- Crafting thought-starting documents on the development of rapid screening methods for chemical assessment and prioritization
Engagement with Non-Government Organizations
The Chemicals Policy and Science Initiative also engages with non-government organizations involved in chemicals policy to provide technical support to those organizations in playing a critical role to advance safer chemicals and products. Specific projects include:
- Engaging labor unions from Canada, the US, and Europe around chemicals issues that pertain to labor, such as green jobs, and policy options addressing occupational exposures to hazardous chemicals
- Populating and updating the searchable database of state-level chemicals legislation and Executive Orders
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