GreenChemWeb

GreenChemPOLICY


Most countries have policies that regulate chemicals, including their manufacture, transport, handling, use and disposal. These laws have done a great deal to protect public health and the environment.


Modern chemicals policy is, however, almost entirely focused on risk management - effective to a point, most chemicals can be handled safely, so long as the rules are followed. However, chemical incidents, accidental exposures and pollution will continue to occur so long as we rely on toxic and hazardous compounds in processes and products.


A more sustainable approach is to reduce our reliance on dangerous compounds by developing alternatives that are safe, effective and efficient. Green chemistry is the tool by which this can be achieved, but there remains a need for policies that support the science, and it's uptake by industry.


Here then, are a few countries and organisations that are developing policy in favour of research, education, and business investment in cleaner, greener technology.

USA Federal Government


Bills supporting Green Chemistry have been raised before the US Congress several times. A "Green Chemistry Research and Development Program Act", was first introduced in 2004, then again in 2006 and 2008, each time passing the House but stalling in the Senate. The Act proposes a modest investment (US$165 million) on research, networks, commercialisation, and education in Green Chemistry. Despite these failures to pass legislation, the US government has at least acknowledged Green Chemistry, and attempted to work up policy in support of the science. In this regard they are leading the world.

The Green Chemistry Research & Development Act of 2008 (S. 2669) (govtrack.us)

See a summary or full text of the proposed legislation, it's history and links to related legislation.

Green Chemistry Program (US EPA)

Home of the Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Awards, this program also supports fundamental research in green chemistry, education, international activities, conferences and meetings, and tool development.

California Green Chemistry Initiative


In 2008, the Californian State Government enacted new policy (Assembly Bill 1879 and Senate Bill 509) to stimulate the rapid acceleration of replacement of harmful chemicals and ingredients with safer alternatives in products sold in California. Called the "Green Chemistry Initiative", this policy is intended to create "a consistent means for evaluating risk, reducing exposure, encouraging less-toxic industrial processes, and identifying safer alternatives".

California Green Chemistry Initiative (Wikipedia)

Summary of the California Green Chemistry Initiative and related issues.

California Green Chemistry Initiative (California Dept. Toxic Substance Control)

Documents, information, news and events relating to the implementation of the California Green Chemistry Initiative.

California Green Chemistry Initiative - Wiki (California Dept. Toxic Substance Control)

Created by the California DTSC, this wiki invites public comment on the new laws and regulatory process.

California Green Chemistry Policy (Health Policy Monitor)

An excellent summary and assessment of the CaGCI prepared by the International Network Health Policy & Reform. This organisation provides surveys on health policies world wide.

REACH


In 2007, the European Union enacted a new, broad reaching, chemicals policy entitled "Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals" (REACH). Affecting all countries in the EU, this new legislation aims to "improve protection of human health and the environment through better and earlier identification of the intrinsic properties of chemical substances." It's important because it standardises chemicals policy across the EU, but it remains focused on 'risk control' and does little to promote the development of green chemistry. It does, however, provide a platform for future policy in that direction.

REACH and Sustainable Chemistry (German Federal Environment Agency)

The German Federal Agency are developing their own criteria for sustainable chemistry. (The German government, along with several other countries, don't like calling it 'green' chemistry because of the word association with a major political party). The basic premise of green chemistry gets a little diluted in this attempt to make it conform with an existing regulatory framework, but it's a start.

Lobby Groups and Policy Research

Advancing Green Chemistry (Virginia, USA)

Promoting the development and adoption of Green Chemistry. AGC's role is to strengthen and promote the science and its practitioners, to link to strategic partners, and to highlight emerging opportunities for stakeholders. Read their summary of developments in Green Chem Policy here.

Green Science Policy Institute (California, USA)

Mobilising scientists, industry, government and consumers to reduce toxics.

Program in Green Chemistry and Chemicals Policy (University of California - Berkeley)

A policy research group based at the UC Berkeley Center for Occupational and Environmental Health.

The Chemicals Policy and Science Initiative (University of Massachusetts - Lowell)

The Chemicals Policy and Science Initiative is a project of the Lowell Center for Sustainable Production.

Further reading