We’ve had a busy start to 2024, moving key projects forward and releasing our Second Annual Toward Zero Exposure Report.

Our members and stakeholders have been busy as well, publishing essential work exploring chemical exposure, launching a groundbreaking new fund to support efforts to eliminate hazardous chemicals, and developing resources to better support companies in streamlining their supply chain operations.

Read about all the latest updates below and stay up to date on the latest CEPN news by following us on LinkedIn and reach out to us with any feedback you’d like to share! Thank you for your interest in our work.

CEPN Seeking Letters of Interest to Beta Test New Chemical Management Training

Over the last several months, CEPN has been developing a suite of Chemical Management & Safety Capacity Building Training modules, funded through a grant from Initiative for Global Solidarity, a program of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.

GIZ is reviewing funding for the next phase and has asked for letters of interest from electronics companies interested in participating in beta testing the training materials.

If successful in securing the funding, CEPN will be providing in-person training at select facilities in Vietnam and Malaysia at no cost beginning in the fall 2024.

Based on the building blocks of the Toward Zero Exposure program, this fundamental capacity-building training series on chemical management and safety is relevant for both workers and production managers in all electronics manufacturing facilities.

Please see this flyer for more detailed information on the training.

While the beta testing is focused on the in-person delivery modality, CEPN will also welcome feedback on webinar-based and digital training.

CEPN has a limited number of facilities that they can include in beta testing. If you are interested in learning more and providing a letter of interest (non-binding), please reach out to Pamela Brody-Heine, CEPN Senior Director (pbrody-heine@greenamerica.org).

Windward Fund Launches Groundbreaking Safer Chemistry Impact Fund

Windward Fund announced the launch of the Safer Chemistry Impact Fund with seed investments from Apple and Google. The new fund aims to raise at least $15 million over the next five years to accelerate industry’s transition to safer chemistry.

A multi-stakeholder group developed the fund to mobilize global investment for systematically replacing hazardous chemicals with alternatives that are verified to be safer for humans and the environment. The first-of-its-kind fund will help establish a trusted data source for chemical hazard assessments, to help companies make safer chemistry decisions that go beyond compliance.

Learn more about the Safer Chemistry Impact Fund.

Biomonitoring of Exposures to Solvents and Metals in Electronics Manufacturing Facilities in Batam, Indonesia

CEPN member Ted Smith of International Campaign for Responsible Technology (ICRT) and other CEPN stakeholders recently published a new study evaluating chemical exposure of workers in electronics facilities in Batam, Indonesia. Five key solvents were found in 46%-97% of samples. Of the five solvents the team included in the study, three (benzene, toluene, and xylenes) are CEPN Priority Chemicals.

View an abstract of the paper here and/or reach out to Ted Smith at tsmith@igc.org to read the study in full.

Open Supply Hub Webinar

This session will address common struggles, such as supplier communication and complex collective action efforts, transforming these challenges into opportunities for efficiency and growth. It's ideal for forward-thinking brands, retailers, and corporations, who are interested in streamlining their supply chain operations and stay ahead in a complex regulatory landscape, while providing value across the organization: from CSR and ethical trade, to ESG reporting, to procurement, marketing, IT, and more.

Date/Time: Mar 19, 2024 09:00 AM Eastern Time

Register for the webinar here.