Public Forum to Debate Use of European Union or Canada System to Manage Toxic Chemicals Used By Industries

The California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) will hold a public forum to argue the pros and cons of managing toxic chemicals. The two systems being debated include the European Union’s REACH, a single regulatory system for chemicals management effective on June 1, 2007, and Canada’s actions to establish a similar framework. REACH stands for Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals.

Director Maureen Gorsen of DTSC is leading the California Green Chemistry Initiative, a multi-agency state team that is exploring a different approach to environmental protection — transitioning away from managing toxic chemicals at the end of the lifecycle, to reducing or eliminating their use altogether. Experts will discuss how government officials, state scientists and policy writers, and environmental and business leaders can work together to deal with hazardous and other waste before it is generated. This new approach is similar to measures adopted by the European Union and the Canadian government to encourage greater manufacturer responsibility.

PARTICIPANTS: — Maureen Gorsen, Director, DTSC — Thomas Jacob, Government Affairs Manager, DuPont — Richard Denison, Ph.D., Senior Scientist, Environmental Defense — James Van Loon, Assistant Director, Risk Management Strategies, Environment Canada — Mike Walls, Managing Director of Technical and Regulatory Affairs, American Chemistry Council

When: Friday, October 5, 2007, 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.

Where: Cal/EPA Building, 1001 I Street, Coastal Hearing Room, Sacramento

Visuals: Audience members, large scientific banners with science, innovation, environment and green chemistry theme

For more information on the agenda, visit http://www.dtsc.ca.gov/ . For Web cast in real time, visit http://www.calepa.ca.gov/broadcast/.