Making proactive safer chemistry a standard operating procedure
Google recently revised its policy and approach to chemicals and materials for consumer hardware devices in two important ways that are a first in our industry:
Mandatory Hazard Ratings
Regardless of regulation, any solvent, flame retardant, or Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance (PFAS) at or above specified concentration levels must have a comprehensive hazard assessment completed covering 14 human and environmental health endpoints. Google is also sponsoring access to ChemFORWARD's platform for select suppliers during calendar year 2024 to assist in their transition to this proactive assessment approach; and
Restricting Highest Hazard Offenders
Going beyond regulation, we restrict the use of any solvent or flame retardant with a ChemFORWARD Hazard Band rating of “F” (or equivalent rating from other hazard assessment frameworks) as well as any PFAS chemical without explicit preauthorization from Google. This approach incentivizes our suppliers to proactively research and engineer safer alternatives into their operations and avoid this restriction.
The new hazard-based requirements represent a strategic progression of Google's safer chemistry work and provide an example for others.
