3/8/2016
F40 Newsletter
Below are items submitted by various F40 members and industry individuals. If you have
additional information or would like more information please contact the appropriate contact
person listed.
Info on concerns with Nickel
Information supplied from: James Jennings, james.c.jennings@navy.mil
EPA is conducting an IRIS Reassessment for Nickel Soluble Salts
http://cfpub.epa.gov/iristrac/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewChemical.showChemical&sw_id=1043
The State of California has proposed a Public Health Goal
http://www.oehha.ca.gov/water/phg/pdf/nickel82001.pdf
State mandates search for deca replacement
By Mike Verespej
April 20, 2007
PLASTICS NEWS STAFF
Information Supplied by Scott MacLeod, Scott.C.MacLeod@us.ul.com
OLYMPIA, WASH. (April 20, 12:20 p.m. EDT) -- Washington has become the first state to pass
legislation that could lead to a near-phaseout of the fireproofing chemical known as
decabromodiphenyl ether, and Maine could follow suit.
The measure calls for ending the use of deca-BDE in the housings of electronics devices such as
televisions and computer enclosures after Jan. 1, 2011, provided a safer alternative has been
found.
There is also a ban on the use of deca-BDE in mattresses after Jan. 1, 2008, but the Bromine
Science and Environmental Forum — which represents companies that manufacture deca-BDE
— said the material is no longer used in mattresses.
Bans against two other forms of polybrominated flame retardants — penta-BDE and octa-BDE
— will have little practical impact as manufacturers voluntarily stopped using them in the United
States in 2004.
In Washington, under the legislation approved April 17, the Department of Ecology, the
Department of Health and a newly created fire safety committee must determine whether any
alternate flame retardant proposed as a replacement for deca-BDE is “safer and technically
feasible.”
The use of deca would not be prohibited unless and until an alternative is approved by the three
groups.
The bill exempts a number of products from the planned phaseout, including medical devices and
federal government-required safety systems for aircraft.
The Maine proposal, 1648, is similar to the Washington law except its bans would go into effect
one year earlier. It is scheduled for a hearing and vote April 24 in the state’s Natural Resources
Committee.
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“It will probably have enough support in the committee, but it won’t be unanimous,” said Travis
Kennedy, communications director for the House Majority Office in Maine. In explaining why
there are exemptions for a number of products, Kennedy said the vast majority of deca use —
almost 80 percent — is in televisions and other household electronic devices. “The bill is trying
to eliminate the use of deca in materials and products that are regularly exposed to children.”
“We remain concerned that the review process is somewhat vague and ill-defined” in the state of
Washington, Dr. Michael Spiegelstein, chairman of Washington-based BSEF, said in a statement,
noting that the European Union, after a 10-year study, has exempted deca from further regulation.
The “real risk” is that “any substance used as an alternative to deca will carry its own risks and
we may not even be aware of just what those risks are,” said Spiegelstein. He also said that
because of the many exemptions and loopholes, the legislation would address only “a small
portion” of deca use in the state.
However, Richard Wiles, executive director of the Environmental Working Group in
Washington, suggested the bill’s passage “could boost similar efforts in states across the country
and set the stage for a national ban."
Entire contents copyright 2007 by Crain Communications Inc. All rights reserved.
China’s Ministry of Commerce promulgated “Management Measures for Recycling
Renewable Resources,” to be implemented on May 1st, 2007.
http://www.sepa.gov.cn/hjyw/200704/t20070409_102573.htm
http://www.sepa.gov.cn/law/gz/bmhb/200704/t20070409_102574.htm
The FINAL Korea RoHS Legislation was adopted on April 2, 2007 in the Second Reading of
the National Assembly. An English translation has been made available by Eco-Frontier at:
http://www.kece.eu/data/Korea_RoHS_ELV_April_2007_EcoFrontier.pdf
Additional information on the differences b/w the DRAFT Bill and the FINAL Bill (also in
English) can be had at their web site: http://www.ecofrontier.co.kr/eng/business/biz_sv.asp
Information Supplied by Anne Kaplan, Anne.W.Kaplan@USA.dupont.com
EPEAT call for F40 - EPA environmentally preferable purchasing activity
Information Supplied by Anne Kaplan, Anne.W.Kaplan@USA.dupont.com
Stakeholder feedback is being accepted until month end. Register and you can access the website
and submit comments/questions.
http://zerowaste.org/epeat_collab/node/106
There are 3 tiers: Gold silver and bronze levels. So far, there are no gold products at all Market
has settled at silver for most part
Using market power works so use to change purchasing landscape Easy usable for purchasers to
‘buy green products’ Govt mandates for all ‘EP products’. Looking to integrate with the
implementation standard practice. ‘Easy and usable tool’ for electronics products. Made
commitment results of this product is measurable.
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Have for laptops/computers
Looking for next categories of products
Drawing up roadmap, stakeholder process, not standard yet
How to give comments:
If preregistered and go to websites, can go to each of areas in left side to see what’s there and
provide comments. Feel free to comment beyond questions posed. Comments are public and
viewable and feel free to respond to previous comments.
White goods (appliance), medical, auto – not in target or scope thus far, but they are open to
comment Aimed at institutional (university, large companies, private and public) – there is some
crossover to consumer
(See attached file: EPEAT_SDR_Stakeholder_Calls_070411.ppt) (See attached
file: 1_1 Purpose of SDR Project EPEAT Standards Development Roadmap Collaboration
Site.mht)(See attached file: SDR_Background_and_Discussion_Document_070411.pdf)
Environment Standard Helps 'Green Technology' Gain Ground
by Winter Casey
Information Supplied by Jeff Grove, jgrove@astm.org
A U.S. standard for environmentally friendly technological devices is gaining momentum as
consumers and companies become more aware of energy, environmental and health concerns,
according to experts.
President Bush has endorsed the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool, a
system to help large-volume purchasers in the public and private sectors evaluate, compare and
select desktop computers, notebooks and monitors based on environmental considerations.
The system, known as EPEAT, was launched in July 2006, but initial meetings about it began
in 2003. More than 100 stakeholders were involved in the process.
"EPEAT is rapidly becoming the international standard for laptops, desktops and monitors,"
said Scot Case from the Green Electronics Council, who noted that the standard was developed
through the American National Standards Institute.
On March 21 David Lear, the director of environmental affairs for the Dell computer firm,
said in a blog entry that the company believes EPEAT "is a strong standard for domestic and
international purchasers." Dell currently is a member of EPEAT's board of advisers.
"The success of EPEAT also demonstrates the value of consistent environmental standards,"
Lear added.
A company cannot register a product with EPEAT unless it is deemed environmentally
friendly and satisfies 23 requirements. The criteria include that the product uses less energy and
complies with European laws on the reduction of hazardous materials.
Further, the company must have a recycling program in place that meets Environmental
Protection Agency guidelines, while computers have to be able to dissemble easily and all of the
parts have to be labeled, Case said.
On Jan. 24, Bush signed an executive order mandating that all federal agencies purchase
products registered with the system, among other "green" purchasing and environmental
requirements.
"Highly advanced, affordable and environmentally preferable computers are already being
sought" by many federal government departments and agencies, Edwin Pinero, head of the
Office of the Federal Environmental Executive, said in a statement.
Pinero, whose office is charged with promoting "sustainable environmental stewardship"
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throughout the federal government, made his remarks during a press conference March 21 that
recognized computer manufacturers for making more environmentally friendly products.
This is the perfect example of "market-based environmentalism," Case said.
The EPEAT program is partially funded by the EPA and manufacturers who pay a
subscription fee based on U.S. computer sales. Case predicts "environmental improvements are
going to increase exponentially every year."
He added, "We are seeing the perfect green storm," with growing consumer awareness of the
connection between their purchasing decisions and environment and health issues. EPEAT
backers hope that "a few years down the road every product will meet the standard," he said.
EPEAT may be expanded to include cellular telephones, photocopiers, handheld computers
and other devices, Case said.
"As EPEAT looks to expand the scope of products covered, we look forward to working
constructively with all stakeholders through the consensus-based international standards process
to draft suitable criteria," said David Isaacs, director of government and public policy at HewlettPackard.
California “REACH”?
Information Supplied by Michael Kirschner, mike@DESIGNCHAINASSOCIATES.COM
California State Senator Simitian has introduced SB 578, high production volume chemicals.
As of Jan 1, 2011, "This bill would require a manufacturer of a chemical that is manufactured in,
or imported into, the United States in an amount equal to, or greater than, 1,000,000 pound per
year (high production volume chemical) to provide to the Department of Toxic Substances
Control according to a specified schedule, the chemical's physiochemical, toxicological, and
ecotoxicological information, identification of industry sectors that purchase more than 5% of
these chemicals, and, of those industry sectors, identification of industry sectors whose products
are likely to be exposed to human. A high production volume chemical would be prohibited from
being manufactured, imported, or used in the state, if the manufacturer fails to provide the
required information."
This is, perhaps, "REACH Lite". Article manufacturers and their applications are required
information as part of this. And, again, like the California Electronic Waste Act (and AB 48),
references European Union law:
"Environmental health information" means information that is required under Annex X of the
Regulation (EC) 1097/2006 adopted by the European Commission on December 18, 2006, and
information relating to whether the chemical causes or has the potential to cause endocrine
disruption, immunotoxicity, respiratory toxicity, neurotoxicity, developmental toxicity, or
childhood cancers.
This is the REACH Regulation itself, by the way.
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/07-08/bill/sen/sb_05510600/sb_578_bill_20070222_introduced.pdf
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