title: Chemical control laws on polymers: A case for harmonization.
abstract: All industrial countries, and several emerging and developing countries, have established regulations to control chemical substances, with a view toward limiting the risks to workers and the public, as well as reducing the impact on the environment. However, the lack of harmonization among such international schemes is creating international trade difficulties. In this context, polymers, and particularly specialty polymers, are a unique case. Polymers are less easily characterized than other substances, and parameters used by governments to control them may vary greatly, leading to national regulations that are significantly dissimilar, or even incompatible. This paper reviews chemical control laws on polymers, identifies the major differences between them, and suggests model legislation for polymers that would reduce barriers to international trade in polymers while maintaining a high degree of human and environmental protection.
authors.affiliation: Product Integrity Department, Rohm and Haas Company, 100 Independence Mall West, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106-2399, USA.
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Keener
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Jourdan
authors.forename: E D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Weiler
mesh_terms: D004465:Economic Competition; D004787:Environmental Pollution / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D005062:European Union; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000592:standards*; D011108:Polymers / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D011108:Polymers