M8.4 Blog Chemical Policy Reform

Chemical Policy Reform

Consider the elements that your small group identified in class of an ideal chemical policy. The Louisville Charter is a consensus-built position paper identifying the key elements of a good chemical policy. In the article above, read through the headers in RED. Compare them to your groups elements.

In reviewing the Louisville Charter (Charter) and comparing it to my group’s elements of an ideal chemical policy I came up with the following analysis:

Statement describing the issue and how the policy addresses the issue: 

My group identified that an ideal chemical policy should specifically state the issue that is of concern, explain why this issue is a concern, and also explain how implementation of this policy will address the issue. After reviewing the Charter, and its six background papers, I found that it does not specifically identify that a good chemical policy should “state the issue that is of concern,” such as my group did. Instead, the Charter demonstrates this key element throughout by continuously addressing the issue(s) of concern, explaining why these issues are a concern, and explaining how the implementation of the policy will address these issues. Therefore, the Charter doesn’t need to include, “state the issue that is of concern” as a key element since it already demonstrates this within the Charter, and its six background papers.

Definitions of terms:

To ensure that individuals are able to understand and follow the policy my group determined that it is important to define terms that may not be known to the reader. For example, my group stated that in a fragrance-free policy, the terms “fragrance” and “fragrance-free” should be defined. Although, the Charter doesn’t specifically state that terms should be defined, it does however say that a good chemical policy should, “Give the Public and Workers the Full Right-to-Know and Participate.” This is similar to ensuring that full definitions are provided to the readers and that those that are directly affected by the policy have the knowledge that allows them to better understand the issues that the policy is working to correct. By better understanding the issue and the information within the policy, those affected most are able to participate in making knowledgeable decisions.

Procedures: 

My group determined that an ideal policy will include procedures (a series of steps) that are to be followed and assist in accomplishing a desired end result. An example that my group used was that staff will be required to attend a yearly 30-minute training on the adverse health effects of fragrances. Similar to the first element listed above, the Charter and its six background papers do not specifically state that a good chemical policy needs to include procedures. However, the Charter does discuss the need for specific end results. For example, Background Paper #2 -Phase Out Persistent, Bioaccumulative, or Highly Toxic Chemicals (Paper #2) specifically talks about the need to efficiently and effectively phase out problematic chemicals. It is through this need that Paper #2 also calls for a transparent process to be created to further identify and prioritize the list of chemicals for the phase out. Through this example, the Charter is indirectly saying that procedures (processes) are a necessary element of a good chemical policy in order to successfully achieve the policy’s intended goals.

References: 

·     Smart Policy Reform. The Louisville Charter. Retrieved from: http://smartpolicyreform.org/the-charter/the-louisville-charter