ASTM International Publishes Case Study on Standards for Biodegradable Plastic

ASTM International, in celebration of its 125th anniversary, solicited case studies from committee members to showcase standards that have had a significant impact on society. One of the winning entries highlights a set of standards for biodegradable plastic from Committee D20 on Plastics. Two companion specification standards for compostable plastics and paper coatings have been […]

Partnering with EPA's Design for Environment at Walmart Sustainable Products Expo.

EPA is a significant partner to companies leading innovation efforts in the arena of safer consumer products, according to Assistant Administrator Jim Jones, of EPA’s Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention. In a blog post yesterday, Jones describes how EPA’s Design for Environment (DfE) program recently participated in a “Supplier Panel on Sustainable Chemistry” […]

A first look at EPA’s draft guidelines for greener government purchasing.

On November 20, EPA released its Draft Guidelines for federal government procurement of greener products. Because the federal government purchases more than $500 billion per year in goods and services, changes in federal procurement policy can have broad ripple effects for product manufacturers and markets. The Draft Guidelines were formulated with the General Services Administration […]

U.S. retailer Target introduces sustainable product standard.

On October 7, 2013, Target announced a new Sustainable Product Standard that it will begin using this month to evaluate the sustainability and environmental impact of products sold in its stores. Target said that it will ask “vendors representing 7,500 products in household cleaners, personal care and beauty and baby care” to provide product ingredients […]

Verdant Proudly Sponsors Prop.65 Clearinghouse's Green Chemistry Conference

Green Chemistry: Verdant is pleased to announce its sponsorship of the Prop.65 Clearinghouse Green Chemistry Annual Conference.  This year’s conference will be held on Tuesday, April 9, 2013, at the The City Club of San Francisco, 155 Sansome Street. Verdant attorney, Philip Moffat, will present on “REACH 2013.” Verdant attorney, Catherine Lin, will present on “Supply […]

CIEL Report Claims Regulation Stimulates Chemical Innovation

Chemical Regulation/Innovation: Earlier this month, the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) released its report, Driving Innovation: How stronger laws help bring safer chemicals to market.  In the report, CIEL offers research showing that stronger laws foster innovation by large and small companies alike.  Among other things,CIEL cites the number of patents for alternative chemicals filed every […]

EU Commission Releases Roadmap on Substances of Very High Concern

EU REACH Substances of Very High Concern: Last week, the EU Commission released its Roadmap on Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC). The Roadmap outlines a process for identifying and assessing potential SVHCs within the following categories: substances that are carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction (CMRs); substances that are persistent, bioaccumulative or toxic for […]

Upcoming Public Hearing on California's Draft Green Chemistry Regulations

California Green Chemistry Regulations: California EPA and DTSC have announced a public meeting on the draft regulations.  The meeting will occur on Thursday, February 28, 2013 at 9:00 a.m. See announcement embedded below. CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY COUNCIL NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING Department of Toxic Substances Control’s Safer Consumer Products Proposed Regulations Need for a Multimedia Evaluation […]

DTSC Requests Public Comment on Another Draft of the Green Chemistry Regulations

California Green Chemistry Regulations: The saga of California’s nascent Green Chemistry program continues. Last week, the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) released the revised text (PDF) of its proposed Safer Consumer Product Regulations. The comment period for the revisions started on January 29 and closes on February 28, 2013. Notably, the revised rules significantly […]

DTSC Reopens Comment Period on Green Chemistry Regulations

California Green Chemistry: On December 20, DTSC delivered everyone an early Christmas present.  The agency announced that it was re-opening the docket to accept public comments on yet another revised version of the Safer Consumer Product Alternative (SCPA) Regulations.  The agency’s announcement is embedded below.  Merry Christmas – better scratch those holiday plans and get […]