February is Black History Month, as well as National Cancer Prevention Month. Consistent with Clean Production Action’s mission of designing and delivering strategic solutions for replacing toxic chemicals with safer alternatives, we recognize the historic disenfranchisement of Black communities and the disproportionate negative impacts of toxic chemicals in products on Black people. Because of this, Black people have higher rates of cancer diagnosis and cancer-related deaths than other… …
Global Framework on Chemicals (GFC) – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals
“Target D3 – By 2030, the private sector, including the finance sector, incorporates strategies and policies to implement the sound management of chemicals and waste in its finance approaches and business models and applies internationally recognized or equivalent reporting standards.” “Target D6 – By 2030, sustainable chemical and waste management strategies have been developed and implemented for major economic and industry sectors that identify priority… …
Clean Production Action (CPA) will advocate for the need to reduce chemical footprints by 2030 at the upcoming United Nations’ International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM5) in - Bonn, Germany, 25 - 29 September 2023. Over twenty years ago, leaders from around the world united under the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) to set objectives aimed at reducing the harmful effects of chemicals on both human health and the environment by 2020. But this goal was not met. Instead, chemical… …
Investors commend corporations for reducing business risk by eliminating over 37 million kilograms of toxic chemicals from products, and call on more companies to adopt best practice and join the 2023 Chemical Footprint Survey
Recent scientific studies make clear that we are reaching a tipping point on chemical pollution and taking “urgent action” is necessary [1]. According to the Chemical Footprint Project (CFP) report, “chemical pollution is one of the three planetary crises confronting humanity along with climate change and biodiversity loss”. Continued dependency on chemicals known to cause harm to human health and the environment exacerbate climate change, biodiversity loss and… …
Recently I took part in a one-day roundtable to advance ‘Sustainable Chemistry in RD&D to Transform the Chemicals Industry.’ The focus was how to advance research, development and demonstration of sustainable chemistry and how the Department of Energy could play a role. This one-day event, held March 7, 2023 in Washington DC, was co-hosted by the Dept of Energy/Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization Office and the Green… …
Clean Production Action is excited to announce that GreenScreen Certified® is now one of the certification standards used by Wayfair to spotlight sustainable products offered on its platform. Through Wayfair’s Shop Sustainably offering, shoppers can easily filter for PFAS-free and environmentally preferred products like those certified by GreenScreen. GreenScreen® for Safer Chemicals is a globally recognized tool for chemical hazard assessment used by governments, companies like… …
The entire class of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is now a focus for elimination or restriction in many jurisdictions. This is because over the past few decades PFAS contamination has grown into a serious global health threat due to the ability of these chemicals to persist in the environment for hundreds of years; their presence in almost all human populations; and increasing evidence of their health impacts. PFAS use in all industry sectors is under scrutiny, and the furniture and… …
When I explain that I work with organizations and networks to promote the use of safer chemicals in products and supply chains I am often asked, “which companies should I support?” or “which products are safe?” My fall back answer is to point out that there are company leaders who know what chemicals they use and are constantly seeking safer substitutes. But also the general public has a responsibility to go online and search to see if their favorite retailer or… …
Did you know we spend over 90% of our time indoors? And that exposure to some hazardous chemicals is actually higher indoors? That is why the chemical ingredients in the products we put into our homes and workplaces is a priority concern. Furniture and fabrics are a case in point. Any use of hazardous chemicals in these products can leak out through volatilization and abrasion into the air and dust in our homes, offices, schools, and hospitals. Studies demonstrate that U.S. household… …
Demand Is Rising for Chemical Footprinting
Every year CPA turns out new reports and standards, and these materials are chock full of information, but not everyone has the time to sit down and read a 40-page report, which is why we are introducing CPA’s Toxic-free Tidbits, curated content to ensure that as we arise from COVID-19, we are on the path for building back better. You can think of this as a small piece of delectable content pulled from a multi-course meal. Meet demand: participate in this… …