On April 20, 2007 the California EPA introduced its Green Chemistry Initiative (“GCI”), which directs the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (“DTSC”) to develop recommendations for a California Green Chemistry Policy. The Director of DTSC is to submit a list of options to CalEPA by January 1, 2008 from which CalEPA will propose recommendations on a final policy by July 1, 2008.

To date, a number of symposia and workshops have been hosted by the DTSC, bringing stakeholders together from various sides of the issue. In addition, DTSC is hosting a public web log (“blog”) wherein any party can contribute its thoughts to the debate. DTSC is calling this “A conversation with California.”

Dow has submitted written comments, has participated in the workshops (including acting as facilitator in break-out sessions), and has been a speaker at the Green Chemistry I symposium in the fall of 2006. Dow’s Mike Witt is scheduled to speak at the Green Chemistry III symposium in October 2007 and is formalizing additional comments for submission to the DTSC. In addition, Neil Hawkins is a member of DTSC’s Science Advisory Board for this initiative, which is a distinguished panel of academic, industrial and NGO representatives.

Dow is interested in assuring that the debate does not focus solely on toxic use reduction and substitution, but includes the broader concepts of life-cycle analysis, trade-offs, consumer choice, incentives, education, and market-driven innovation.