Corporations are increasingly trying to get ahead of the regulatory curve by
reducing their use of hazardous chemicals through sustainability planning and
goal setting. A prime example in your own industry comes from Southwire.
As you likely know, this company is a progressive wire and cable manufacturer
based in Carrollton, Georgia. In 2008 the company set an ambitious goal of eliminating
lead additives from all of their products, and began using sustainability as
a framework through which every aspect of the business was viewed.[1]
The Toxic Substances Control
Act (TSCA) currently oversees the 82,000-pluschemicals currently in the
market. Under TSCA, the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) must meet stringent requirements in order to prove that a chemical
poses a health threat and needs to be restricted or banned. This differs significantly
from the EU’s REACH regulations under which the manufacturers are responsible
for proving that their products are safe.[2]
In October 2009, EPA administrator Lisa Jackson announced the core principles
that outline the Obama Administration’s goals for chemical management. The principles,
which are intended to help Congress reform TSCA, are as follows:[3]
Chemicals should be reviewed against risk-based safety standards based
on sound science and protective of human health and the environment
Manufacturers should provide EPA with the necessary information to conclude
that new and existing chemicals are safe and do not endanger public health
or the environment
EPA should have clear authority to take risk management actions when chemicals
do not meet the safety standard, with flexibility to take into account sensitive
subpopulations, costs, social benefits, equity and other relevant considerations
Manufacturers and EPA should assess and act on priority chemicals, both
existing and new, in a timely manner
Green Chemistry should be encouraged and provisions assuring Transparency
and Public Access to Information should be strengthened
EPA should be given a sustained source of funding for implementation
[1] Winn Wise, personal interview, February 23, 2009.
[2] http://www.GreenerDesign.com/news/2009/03/02/chemical-industry-health-and-environment-groups-push-us-
toxics-law-reform
accessed October 14, 2009.
[3] http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/0/D07993FDCF801C2285257640005D27A6
accessed October 14, 2009.