ABSTRACT

Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals is predicted to yield business benefits such as innovation improvements, competitiveness, improved workers’ safety, and health cost savings. Companies that have voluntarily reduced toxic chemicals used by their facilities have benefited economically by being viewed as environmentally conscientious. Other benefits of a toxic chemical usage reduction program could be the establishment of spin-off or demonstration projects. Other environmental benefits from toxic chemical reduction program implementation could include changes in the level of energy and water consumption at the facility. The ultimate goal of a toxic chemical reduction program is to have a positive impact on human health and the environment. In 2002, the company and the Environmental Cooperative Compliance Program entered into an agreement that included an innovative regulatory approach. The “Hot Spots” program is an example of how a law can be good for the environment and business.