Collaborating for safer chemicals

Coming up with lasting solutions that will make our communities and economy healthier and more resilient requires a diversity of approaches. When it comes to tackling sustainability-related changes, we need a wide array of organizations to get involved, and each of them plays a different role in the process. That’s why collaboration is a key ingredient.

One approach to collaboration taking place at the national level is the Business-NGO Working Group for Safer Chemicals and Sustainable Materials (a project of Clean Production Action). They’ve established a clear, logical set of principles for chemical policy reform.

What makes their approach stand out is that they’ve also created a network of experts, tools and resources to help organizations take practical steps to implement the principles. The group recently held their annual meeting in Seattle, providing a valuable forum for collaboration among leading business like Method, HP and Construction Specialties with various NGOs and public agencies.

Here in Oregon, OEC is working with businesses, universities, agencies and other NGOs in this arena. Our efforts include both pragmatic, on the ground projects as well as developing smart, effective policies. We will continue to build partnerships and look for opportunities to support and strengthen this work in Oregon, the Northwest and nationally.