GREEN SCIENCE POLICY INSTITUTE

REDUCING FLAME RETARDANTS: We continued to reduce the use of unnecessary flame retardants in consumer products. INTERNATIONAL ELECTRONICS: We prevented unnecessary International flammability standards that would lead to the use of flame retardants without providing a fire safety benefit. Our educational work has helped prevent proposed international standards that would have led to the unnecessary use of hundreds of millions of pounds of flame retardants in electronics enclosures. Our team of expert consultants monitor flammability committees to prevent proposals that could lead to the increased use of these harmful chemicals. We are providing input to the European Commission in Brussels and collaborating with the Earth Commission, Environmental Coalition on Standards (ECOS), and progressive electronic manufacturers to use our research results to reduce the use of flame retardants in plastic cases. This will help achieve a toxics-free circular economy and reduce the need to Throw Out Your Black Plastic Spatula.LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES: To reduce the unnecessary use of flame retardants in enclosures around lithium-ion batteries, we are conducting research with Sandia National Laboratory. Our preliminary results indicate the flame retardants in the plastic cases create more smoke and do not slow battery fires.FLAME RETARDANTS IN VEHICLES: Collaborating with Consumer Reports and the International Association of Fire Fighters, we submitted formal requests to the U.S. House and NHTSA to update the ineffective 1971 standard leading to flame retardants inside cars. We now have support from U.S. Senate and House offices from both parties on bill language for research to begin to address this problem in the 2026 Surface Transportation Reauthorization. This effort builds on our collaborative research and joint petition with 45,000 signatures to Get cancer-causing chemicals out of cars.

REDUCING ANTIMICROBIALS: We increased our focus on quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs), a type of antimicrobials used in consumer disinfectants, cleaning solutions, wipes and personal care products, that are harmful for health and environment, often without a benefit. POLICY CHANGE: 1) We are leading and providing scientific support for California Safer Soap Act (California AB916), first-in the nation legislation to stop the use of harmful and ineffective antimicrobials in soap and body wash. The bill, co-sponsored by Womens Voices for the Earth and Children Now, has passed the Environment and Toxic Materials Committee of the California Assembly. 2) We are providing scientific support and outreach to the UC Berkeley Law Clinic and Breast Cancer Prevention Partners (BCPP), for an antimicrobial consumer deception bill that will be introduced in the California Senate in 2026.MANUFACTURER EDUCATION: In October, we organized a well-received Antimicrobial Information Exchange meeting, which brought together representatives from most of the major soap and cleaning product brands that use antimicrobials, scientists who shared their research and government agencies who are beginning to regulate these chemicals, NGOs, and antimicrobial manufacturers. Our plan is that forward-looking brands will move towards healthier productswithout antimicrobialsahead of regulatory requirements. In the past, a similar approach resulted in cosmetics and carpet companies voluntarily moving away from using PFAS.PUBLIC EDUCATION: To educate consumers about the health harm and lack of benefit of antimicrobials, we are working with writers at Consumer Reports; Haden Begley who has made viral TikTok videos; and other media outlets.