Werner contributes rich experience with the technology industry, chemical hazard assessment and circular economy to ChemFORWARD’S mission of enabling a safe, circular and more equitable economy. Werner’s mission at Google is to eliminate toxic chemicals from consumer products and drive higher environmental performance and sustainability of product design. Previously at Google, he led the product sustainability, biocompatibility, and environmental compliance team for Google’s consumer hardware division.

ChemFORWARD and the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute are working together to embed the Cradle to Cradle Certified™ Product Standard Material Health methodology into the ChemFORWARD repository.

ChemFORWARD, which is building the first globally harmonized repository of chemical hazard assessments and alternatives, will use the C2C Certified Material Health methodology to offer companies a uniquely powerful tool for optimizing the material health of their products.

ChemFORWARD is excited to participate in a webinar discussing safer product innovation with the Environmental Defense Fund on Dec. 17. Dr. Lauren Heine, ChemFORWARD’s director of safer materials & data integrity, and Stacy Glass, executive director, will join Alissa Sasso for a conversation about innovating safer ingredients and products, allowing companies to stay ahead of regulatory scrutiny, manage business risk and build consumer trust.

ChemFORWARD is pleased to announce that its first portfolio of data on alternatives to ortho-phthalate, which are often referred to simply as phthalate, plasticizers of concern has been posted and is available for subscription. The organization’s initial pilot project compiled hazard assessments for 10 safer plasticizers.

ChemFORWARD has selected its first pilot program, assessing alternatives for ortho-phthalates of concern. Phthalates are used as plasticisers in materials from vinyl flooring to food-service gloves. The pilot will assemble a portfolio of full hazard assessments viewable in multiple hazard formats including the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals and the Cradle to Cradle Material Health Methodology. The portfolio will offer manufacturers the first repository of comparable information to make decisions about their use. The pilot also features a secure platform to access the information and a fair, equitable structure for sharing the expense of comprehensive assessments to reduce overall cost.

The new modules feature ChemFORWARD’S free screening tool, MaterialWise powered by the Healthy Building Network’s Pharos database. The tool offers users full access to more than 100,000 known chemicals of concern, along with information about common uses and exposures and why certain hazards matter. Modules guide users in such undertakings as running their own product-redesign workshop or shifting an organization’s business strategy to prioritize material health.