Report Shows How Manufacturers Are Changing Rules for Use of Chemicals

I’ve been reading the new State of Green Business 2008 report on critical initiatives in business, published by GreenBiz.com. This report shows how organizations are changing the way they do business by changing their operational processes to reduce the amount of toxic chemicals that are used in manufacturing processes.

It’s noteworthy that several ESS clients, like DuPont, were applauded for being at the forefront of significant win-win environmental initiatives.

There is growing interest among industry leaders and other global stakeholders regarding international chemical reporting standards. The European Union already has taken an important first step with its REACH regulations. We at ESS have noted that more organizations are carefully reviewing their processes; and we’re working with our customers and partners, and regulatory bodies to ensure our clients are positioned to effectively address current or future chemical regulations with our software platform.

The report’s authors say there is insufficient data to show how companies are doing, in aggregate, to move the needle in the U.S. on issues like climate change, toxics reduction, water conservation, and resource efficiency. However, there is quite a bit of information about companies that either executed on or committed to address corporate sustainability initiatives. Change is taking place across the board, not just with high-profile global enterprises in the oil and gas, utility and mining industries.

The report examines practices from a wide range of industries. There were a few surprises: for example it notes that some personal care products have been found to contain a surprisingly high number of toxic ingredients.

Another amusing example of coming change is the iconic new car smell that we all admire. It was found to be a byproduct of bromines, lead, chlorine and heavy metals used to manufacture automobiles. Several foreign car companies make cars containing the highest numbers of these substances.

Use of toxic ingredients may pose risks to the consumer, of course; but they have an even greater impact on the companies that use them, prompted by risk-averse investors and corporate stakeholders who are demanding changes even faster than some regulators.

Add comment February 27th, 2008