August 2022 Quarterly Update
As fall approaches, CEPN is getting ready for an exciting calendar of events and projects to wrap up 2022. In this newsletter we will share some notable updates, milestones, and events that are on the horizon. We are looking forward to continuing to collaborate with our members, partners, and stakeholders in the last quarter of the year.
Please feel free to reach out with any thoughts or questions. We would love to hear from you!
One Year from the Launch of the Toward Zero Exposure Program
It has officially been over a year since the July 2021 launch of the Toward Zero Exposure program. It has been truly exciting to embark on this journey with our three Founding Signatories – Apple, Dell, and HP, Inc. – as well as all CEPN membership. CEPN is continuing to develop more tools and resources to accelerate progress protecting workers from exposure to toxic chemicals in the electronics supply chain.
We are thrilled to have the opportunity to celebrate this milestone by publishing the first Toward Zero Exposure program annual report later this year.
CEPN is grateful to the three Founding Signatories for paving the way in the launch of this program. These leaders are committing to real, meaningful and transformational change in electronics workers' lives, across the globe and into their deep and complex supply chains.
CEPN Launches New Website
CEPN is excited to present our new website: cleanelectronicsproduction.org!
The website provides a landing page to share tools and resources, learn more about CEPN membership and the Toward Zero Exposure program. CEPN is proud to add this as a tool in our toolbox as our outreach efforts increase.
We are incredibly grateful to our partners and members who provided feedback and assistance during the website's launch. You can view the new website here.
Second Round of Priority Chemical Selection Underway
Selection of the 2nd round of CEPN's Priority Chemicals is underway. Identifying Priority Chemicals – process chemicals to be prioritized for elimination or substitution – follows a rigorous and transparent process and is conducted in consultation with CEPN members, stakeholders, and the CEPN Technical Review Board. The 2nd round of Priority Chemical selection began in the spring of 2022 and will continue through this year.
The 1st round of Priority Chemicals includes nine solvents used in cleaners and degreasers. After building out a list based on CEPN member companies' as well as other publicly available Manufacturing Restricted Substances Lists (MRSL) and data collected using the Process Chemical Data Collection (PCDC) Tool, chemicals were then screened against the CEPN High Hazard Criteria and use in the electronics industry. An evaluation was conducted on the potential availability of safer alternatives, which was also factored into the selection process.
Additional details about the 1st round of Priority Chemicals and selection process is available on the CEPN website.
Coming up this Fall: Toward Zero Exposure Webinar with TÜV Rheinland
As part of CEPN's continued efforts to increase awareness of, and share information about, the Toward Zero Exposure program, CEPN is co-hosting an informational webinar with our verification partner, TÜV Rheinland (Guandong) Ltd. this fall.
Tentatively scheduled for October 21st, this webinar will provide an opportunity for Asia-based electronics companies to learn about the Toward Zero Exposure program and hear from the Founding Signatories on why they joined the initiative. TUV will also provide an overview on the verification process. The webinar will be conducted in Chinese (and translated for those portions presented in English).
Please reach out if you would like to receive an invitation to this webinar.
TÜV Rheinland is CEPN's verification partner for the Toward Zero Exposure program. Founded almost 150 years ago, the company has headquarters throughout the globe and is one of the world’s leading testing service providers.