Bay Area
Lawmakers and Industry Want Economic Analysis of 'Safer Consumer Products' Law
Some lawmakers and industry groups are concerned about a state law that will regulate toxic chemicals in consumer goods. They want an economic analysis before the law takes effect.
The state’s "green" chemistry law requires businesses to identify and, when feasible, find alternatives to chemicals that could be harmful.
Twelve hundred chemicals - like formaldehyde and lead - found in a wide range of products are regulated under the law. More than a dozen Democratic lawmakers have joined industry groups to say it could generate unpredictable costs. All want an economic study first.
But Jim Marxsen with the Department of Toxic Substances Control says that would be premature.
“We don’t know what products we’re going to be looking at, however when we do identify those products we will be doing an economic review and looking at the impacts on those industries and the costs associated with them," says Marxsen.
The final comment period for the regulations closes October 12.
