The Toxics in Packaging Clearinghouse (TPCH) was established by the Coalition of Northeastern Governors (CONEG) in 1992 to assist states that adopted the CONEG-developed Model Toxics in Packaging Legislation. To date, that legislation has been adopted by 19 states, and requires reductions in the amount of four heavy metals (specifically, mercury, lead, cadmium, and hexavalent chromium) in packaging and packaging components sold or distributed in these states. The laws, which aim to phase out the use and presence of these four metals, require certificates of compliance and allow for certain exemptions (which must be approved by the individual states).
While the driving force to reduce toxics in packaging originated with the Northeastern states, the model legislation became a nationally and internationally recognized standard. Therefore, in 1998, administration of the TPCH moved from the CONEG Policy Research Center to the Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. (NERC) in Brattleboro, Vermont. NERC performs all administrative functions of the Clearinghouse on behalf of member states.
For further information about the model legislation and the TPCH, visit its web page: www.toxicsinpackaging.org.