1. 1 Interstate Chemicals Clearinghouse Alex Stone, Sc. D. Safer Chemical Alternative Chemist Washington State Department of Ecology

2. 2 Background CaliforniaMinnesota ConnecticutNew Jersey MaineNew York MassachusettsOregon MichiganWashington Early stages yet so objectives and aims may change as it developsEarly stages yet so objectives and aims may change as it develops Group of 10 states concerned about chemicals policy and the ability of states to address toxic chemicalsGroup of 10 states concerned about chemicals policy and the ability of states to address toxic chemicals

3. 3 Concerns Consumers, businesses and state policy makers concerned about the safety of chemicals used in consumer products Lack of accessible and transparent information on the chemical content of consumer products Need for increased access to hazard and exposure data

4. Concerns Many states are phasing out specific chemicals and moving toward a comprehensive chemical policyMany states are phasing out specific chemicals and moving toward a comprehensive chemical policy Increased importance of safer alternatives to toxic chemicalsIncreased importance of safer alternatives to toxic chemicals Increased duplication and inefficient use of resourcesIncreased duplication and inefficient use of resources 4

5. Interstate Chemicals Clearinghouse (IC2) May provide the opportunity for states to work together to address chemical concernsMay provide the opportunity for states to work together to address chemical concerns Structure and duties of clearinghouse not finalizedStructure and duties of clearinghouse not finalized 5

6. IC2-General Goals Reduce duplication and enhance efficiencyReduce duplication and enhance efficiency Building capacity to identify and promote safer chemicals and productsBuilding capacity to identify and promote safer chemicals and products Provide ready access to high quality and authoritative data, information and assessment methodsProvide ready access to high quality and authoritative data, information and assessment methods Create agreements with other organizations such as the EU, Canada, etc.Create agreements with other organizations such as the EU, Canada, etc. 6

7. IC2-General Goals Safer Chemical Alternatives MethodologySafer Chemical Alternatives Methodology Several states working on a common protocolSeveral states working on a common protocol Using WIKI site to solicit inputUsing WIKI site to solicit input Once a state conducts an alternative assessment using methodology, will be acceptable to all member statesOnce a state conducts an alternative assessment using methodology, will be acceptable to all member states 7

8. IC2-Current Status Some states providing funding to investigate roles and responsibilitiesSome states providing funding to investigate roles and responsibilities Determine needsDetermine needs Evaluate what services can be providedEvaluate what services can be provided Determine how the services will be providedDetermine how the services will be provided Conducted survey of possible member statesConducted survey of possible member states 8

9. IC2-Survey Strong agreement between states on needsStrong agreement between states on needs Access information electronically through the webAccess information electronically through the web Create database with information to assist in determining Safer Chemical AlternativesCreate database with information to assist in determining Safer Chemical Alternatives Will be used to flesh out scope and structure of the IC2Will be used to flesh out scope and structure of the IC2 9

10. IC2-Future Finalize scope and structureFinalize scope and structure Publicize IC2 and seek additional involvement (states, business, NGO)Publicize IC2 and seek additional involvement (states, business, NGO) Begin collecting data and providing a center for cooperation and resource sharingBegin collecting data and providing a center for cooperation and resource sharing 10

11. Contacts Ken Zarker Pollution Prevention Section Mgr WA State Department of Ecology (360) 407-6724 kzar461@ecy.wa.gov Ken Geiser Co-Director Lowell Center for Sustainable Production (978) 934-3299 Ken_Geiser@mul.edu Carol Kraege, Toxics Coordinator WA State Department of Ecology (360) 407-6706 ckra461@ecy.wa.gov Alex Stone Safer Chemical Alternative Chemist WA State Department of Ecology (360) 407-6758 alst461@ecy.wa.gov 11