Too often, businesses are pitted against environmental and health concerns, with the assumption that providing social and environmental benefit is contrary to maximizing long-term profits. We reject this notion.
Today, leading companies have good reason to be highly motivated to identify and use safer alternatives to toxic chemicals. Increasingly, business leaders are concerned about the health and business impacts that can arise if the products they use or sell contain toxic chemicals, as well as the toxic chemical exposures that may occur as a result of their supply chains.
Yet, due to a lack of data, businesses are often unable to identify the chemicals in their products, what hazards they may pose and whether safer alternatives are on the market. The result is a serious market barrier to the development and use of safer chemicals and products.
Our current laws and regulations do not adequately address chemicals of high concern in products, exposing millions of New Yorkers to them. The state can significantly reduce the harm being done to its residents with the Child Safe Products Act, which is now pending in the Senate.
There is a strong business case for comprehensive chemical policy reform. Thoughtful reform — which has already been enacted in California, Washington, Maine and Vermont — will expand markets for safer and greener products, while creating a more predictable regulatory framework. As toxic chemicals are removed from supply chains, companies will face lower costs and risks, especially product liability, associated with managing these chemicals across supply chains. Companies will also benefit from lowered costs for chemically induced employee illness and enhanced productivity from improved employee health. Confidence is also increased among employees, communities, investors and all along the supply chain, leading to a more positive business environment, resulting in growth and more jobs.
Finally, all New York consumers would benefit as well. Millions of New Yorkers are concerned with exposure to chemicals for various reasons — risk of cancer, protection of a pregnant mother and fetus, sensitive skin or chemical-induced allergies. Allowing them to identify the presence of chemicals of concern in products will enable them to make better choices for their health and well-being.
The Child Safe Products Act is an important step toward a much-needed comprehensive policy reform and comes at a time when our federal government is gridlocked. By identifying chemicals that appear on authoritative government lists as harmful to human health and the environment, and setting forth a process for identifying new chemicals of concern as science identifies them, companies will have greater insight and clarity as well as a level playing field that will spur innovation.
The act passed the Assembly by an overwhelming majority, moved through the Senate Environmental Conservation committee with unanimous support, enjoys co-sponsorship from 37 senators and is being led by Long Island Sen. Phil Boyle. This is a bill that deserves a positive vote and passage by the full Senate before the end of this legislative session. As business leaders, we urge the Legislature to advance a healthier economy and environment for all New Yorkers.
John Replogle is CEO of Seventh Generation. David Levine is CEO of the American Sustainable Business Council.