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Improving Products Through Procurement

Improving Products Through Procurement. Prepared for: EPA Region 2 Science Day: Non-Regulated Pollutants - Brominated Flame Retardants (BFRs) & Pharmaceuticals & Approaches to Emerging Chemicals Issues Workshop 25 October 2005. Cameron S. Lory Senior Associate CHP Program Coordinator

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Improving Products Through Procurement

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  1. Improving Products Through Procurement Prepared for: EPA Region 2 Science Day: Non-Regulated Pollutants -Brominated Flame Retardants (BFRs) & Pharmaceuticals& Approaches to Emerging Chemicals Issues Workshop 25 October 2005 Cameron S. Lory Senior Associate CHP Program Coordinator lory@informinc.org 212.361.2400 x232 INFORM, Inc.

  2. 30-year-old, national, non-profit environmental research and outreach organization • Key research areas: • Chemical Hazards Prevention • Solid Waste Reduction • Sustainable Transportation • INFORM works with government agencies, schools and businesses to facilitate business practices that are environmentally preferable

  3. Environmentally Preferable Purchasing “Environmentally preferable products are goods and services that have a lesser or reduced effect on human health and the environment when compared with other products that serve the same purpose.” - Federal Executive Order 13101

  4. Signal to Manufacturers • Large government agencies are considering environmental and human health in their purchasing decisions. • “Environmentally preferable” joined price, availability, and efficacy as purchasing criterion.

  5. Maybe Lead Paint Wasn’t Such a Great Idea • Consumers began to become aware of the dangers of some products in the 1970’s. • Spearheaded by movements to reduce exposure to lead from gasoline and paint.

  6. Other Products Followed • Lighting manufacturers reduced the amount of mercury used in lighting by over 20 tons between 1984 and 1997. • Laws banning mercury-added devices are now common throughout the US. • Communities are taking aim at everything from chlorinated plastics to air fresheners.

  7. Product Development • Research and development for new products, and reformulation of products is slow and expensive. • Purchasing agents spur innovation by creating a demand for better products. • Manufacturers will spend research and development money only if they know it will “pay off” in the long run.

  8. What Can Purchaser Do Before EP Alternatives Are Available? • Purchasers can ask for disclosure of toxins in products. • For BFRs, require the chemical abstracts service (CAS) number for added flame retardants. • Add language that gives preference to products that do not contain BFRs – even if no such product exists for the application.

  9. Sample RFP Language*Disclosure • “(Purchasing Entity) is concerned about the increasing environmental problems caused by certain flame retardants.” • “To make an informed purchasing decision, we require that bidders disclose all flame retardants used in products offered.” *Healthcare Without Harm What Health Care Purchasers Can Do to Reduce Flame Retardants

  10. Sample RFP Language*Preference • “We will prefer products that meet retardancy standards without added flame retardants.” • “We will prefer products that meet flame retardancy standards without halogenated organic flame retardants.” *Healthcare Without Harm What Health Care Purchasers Can Do to Reduce Flame Retardants

  11. Sample RFP Language*Encouraging Better Design • “As more information on flame retardants becomes available, we will prefer products that contain flame retardants for which comprehensive toxicity data is available and demonstrates the flame retardant is not toxic, persistent or bioaccumulative.” • “We understand that such preferred products may not yet be available.” *Healthcare Without Harm What Health Care Purchasers Can Do to Reduce Flame Retardants

  12. Share Information • Let other interested organizations know what language you have added to specifications. • Let others know what information you have gathered.

  13. INFORM Chemical Hazards Prevention Cameron S. Lory Senior Associate CHP Program Coordinator lory@informinc.org 212.361.2400 x232 INFORM, Inc.

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