California Pioneers New Limits on Toxic Chemicals in Consumer Products

This analysis must take into account impacts from the entire life cycle of the product—from the point of manufacture to disposal. After review, regulators may require a range of actions, from new labeling to an outright ban of ingredients found too toxic. A product of the state’s Green Chemistry Initiative, which got its start in 2008, the law seeks to limit consumer exposure to hazardous chemicals—but may pose a challenge to manufacturers, who will be responsible for the cost of the analysis as well as compliance with the final action.