EPP Issues & Resources
Chemicals & Persistent Bioaccumulative Toxins (PBT) of Concern
The conventional approach to the use of chemicals in
manufacturing is currently “problem focused,” which means that
government agencies employ scientific tests and risk determining
protocols to assess the dangers associated with exposure to
chemicals identified by scientific or public concern. Once exposure
to a substance is demonstrated to result in unacceptable levels of
harmfulness, agency professionals draft regulations to restrict or
condition the use of those substances.
HCWH, H2E and others, believe this approach is inefficient for
achieving a sustainable chemicals future and proposes a parallel
approach that focuses more on the development solutions, rather than
problems. They are asking GPOs (and hospitals) to work with them and
with the healthcare manufacturing industry to design chemical and
materials development that are high performing and cost-effective,
but also biologically safe and ecologically sustainable.
Chemicals of high concern include PVC, DEHP, fire retardants, and
chemical compounds containing mercury, lead, arsenic, beryllium,
cadmium, and others demonstrated to be persistent, bioaccumulative
toxins (PBTs). Consorta’s action plan includes but is not limited
to:
- Commit to a chemicals policy based on the established
principles of precaution and substitution – Consorta Chemicals
Policy
- Develop a comprehensive list of chemicals of high concern
- Cross-reference healthcare products containing chemicals of
high concern
- Prioritize, starting with worst chemicals, by volume,
toxicity, persistent, bioaccumulative toxic compounds (PBT)
- Align priority list with Contracting Calendar
- Develop metrics to measure progress
- Require vendors to report on safety testing for safer
substitutes, when substitutions are offered
- Urge vendors to require upstream suppliers to provide full
materials disclosure for products with data requirements,
increasing over time
- Advocate labeling of products containing priority chemicals
- Advocate in the public arena for policy changes to advance
national chemicals policy
- Report publicly on progress in our annual report, such as
actions relating to mercury, PVC, DEHP, fire retardants, and
other chemicals on the priority list
More information?
PVC & DEHP
Issues and Resources
Consorta NICU DEHP-Free Pledge
Lists of
PVC-Free Alternatives (continually updated)
Cleaning Chemicals Issues and
Resources
For information about PVC-free and DEHP-free products on contract
with Consorta, contact Laura Wenger at
lwenger@consorta.com.