Linda Varangu Feb 18, 2009 21:21 pm

Greetings Listserve members

I am currently working on a project with the Canadian federal government where we would like to identify opportunities to enable and influence consumers to make more informed choices regarding toxic substance in products.

I recognize there is much activity lately in the US following the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act which recently took effect, banning the sale of children's products containing dangerous amounts of lead and phthalates. I am particularly interested in activities which support not only these regulations, but the reduction of toxics in other consumer products which are not regulated.

For this work I am looking for examples of programs or activities from around the world that:
1. engage consumers to deliberately not seek products containing toxic ingredients; (i.e. public health departments working with new parents and advising on non toxic baby products);
2. provide tools for consumers to make better decisions regarding products containing toxic ingredients ( i.e. consumer rating systems for product toxicity (Greenpeaces green electronics guide); and testing of consumer product toxicity)
3. are initiatives undertaken by governments at all levels to support toxics reduction in consumer products (i.e. support for pilot projects to enable consumer toxics reduction activities).

Thanks for any help. Id be happy to share the collective response with those interested.

Warm wishes from Canada,
Linda

Linda Varangu
My Sustainable Canada
Canada