Question from Debra Lynn Dadd
California is moving toward sweeping new rules to reduce toxic chemicals in cleaning products, cosmetics, electronics, toys and possibly many other consumer goods.
The newly proposed Safer Consumer Products Regulations is now being debated, with a target to have a final form in late 2012.
In 1986, Proposition 65 was passed, requiring products that contain chemicals known to cause cancer to carry warning labels. These new regulations will in addition require manufacturers to phase out toxic chemicals or face fines of $25,000 per day.
California Pioners Plan for Trimming Toxins
Debra’s Answer
I want to comment on my own post here.
I am completely in favor of less toxic chemicals, as you all know.
But I am actually sad to see that such stringent laws are required in our society.
There is such a thing as ethics, which, simply put, is “doing the right thing.” And the right thing includes doing things in ways that support and sustain life instead of damaging it.
It is entirely possible to make toxic free products. There are thousands of companies doing so already, based on their own personal ethics to “do the right thing.” Many of them are listed on Debra’s List, and I add more all the time.
What I would like to see is more ethics in our world, not more regulations. Information on the toxic effects of chemicals should be made more widely known, and manufacturers should—by their own choice—decide not to use them.
