Through its “Green Chemistry Initiative,” the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) plans to establish a new framework for chemicals management which would have major adverse implications for all types of industries including the electronics industry. Like Prop 65, Green Chemistry would require manufacturers to disclose the substances used in their products based on hyper-inflated risk scenarios.

The California Environmental Protection Agency is holding a public workshop on Friday, April 25, to identify options to strengthen consumer protection laws as part of its Green Chemistry Initiative. The recommendations will be presented in a report from Linda Adams, Secretary for Environmental Protection, to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger this summer.

Detailed information about the  workshop can be found at the DTSC Web site. The workshop will also be presented as a webcast. Visit http://www.calepa.ca.gov/Broadcast/  to listen to the workshop.

All interested parties, including workshop participants and those unable to attend the workshops, are encouraged to post their comments on Strengthening Consumer Protection using the “Conversation with ” green chemistry blog site at http://californiagreenchemistry.squarespace.com/welcome/

In addition, another workshop will be held on May 8 in on the same topic. For the latest information on upcoming workshops, visit the DTSC web site.