Green Ribbon Science Panel

2014 Green Ribbon Science Panel member appointed! See the members here.

What is the Green Ribbon Science Panel?

The Panel provides advice and acts as a resource to the Director of the Department of Toxic Substances Control and the California Environmental Policy Council on a variety of scientific and technical matters related to developing green chemistry and chemicals policy recommendations and implementation strategies. The Panel may:

• Advise DTSC and the Environmental Policy Council on scientific and technical matters in support of the goals of this article of significantly reducing adverse health and environmental impacts of chemicals used in commerce, as well as the overall costs of those impacts to the state’s society, by encouraging the redesign of consumer products, manufacturing processes, and approaches.
• Assist DTSC in developing green chemistry and chemicals policy recommendations and implementation strategies and details, and ensure these recommendations are based on a strong scientific foundation.
• Advise DTSC and make recommendations for chemicals the panel views as priorities for which hazard traits and toxicological end-point data should be collected.
• Advise DTSC in the adoption of regulations required by Green Chemistry, Article 14, Health and Safety Code.
• Advise DTSC on any other pertinent matter in implementing this article, as determined by DTSC. 

(reference:  Section 25255, Health and Safety Code)

Who are the Green Ribbon Science Panel Members?

What has the Green Ribbon Science Panel advised DTSC? 

In 2009, DTSC assembled the first Panel  membership, whose service term under the provisions of the statute that formed the GRSP, is now completed.  Under the advisement of this Panel, DTSC developed the Safer Consumer Product regulations , the first in the nation in its scope and authority over developing safer consumer products. Refer to the archive pages on past meetings for transcripts, videos, and other information regarding the Panel’s meetings.

What will be the Green Ribbon Science Panel’s future discussion topics?

The Green Ribbon Science Panel will continue to advise the Department on a variety of scientific and technical matters related to Green Chemistry. Some specific topical subjects will be related to aspects of the implementation of the Safer Consumer Product regulations. As the Safer Consumer Product program moves forward and matures, the Panel may also tackle other topics.

Why was the Green Ribbon Science Panel established?

Two laws signed in 2008 by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger provided the foundation for advancing the California Green Chemistry Initiative. Chapters 559 and 560 were first steps in developing the information needed to protect Californians from the adverse effects of toxic chemicals, by providing information about chemicals in consumer products.

The law also establishes a Green Ribbon Science Panel made up of experts to provide advice on scientific matters, chemical policy recommendations and implementation strategies. 

What are the Green Ribbon Science Panel members’ expertise?

By law, the Green Ribbon Science Panel members consists of the following: