Ashkin urges support for EPA's DfE program in New York State

ALBANY, NY — The New York State Office of General Services (NYSOGS) is amending its guidelines and criteria for "environmentally-sensitive cleaning and maintenance products" to be used in state schools, state agencies and public authorities, according to a press release.

According to the release, the draft does not accept the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Design for the Environment (DfE) program, which continues to develop important tools to help us solve complex problems like childhood asthma and other health and environmental issues.

Stephen Ashkin, president of The Ashkin Group LLC, is making a personal appeal for those concerned with this issue to send a letter or e-mail to NYSOGS requesting DfE be included in their program no later than Friday, November 20, 2009, the release stated.

Points that Ashkin stresses include: DfE now has a clear and transparent standard and the DfE process is equal and, in some cases, superior to other ecolabels; independent third-parties to do the verification for DfE, eliminating any potential or perceived conflict of interests between the standard setter and the verifier; and DfE now includes very specific product performance requirements that are equal to, if not superior, to other ecolabelling programs, the release noted.

According to Ashkin, the inclusion of DfE would add another compliance path and thus create more competition, which could help reduce the costs for cleaning products for state schools, state agencies and public authorities.

E-mail comments should be sent to: nysogsesu@ogs.state.ny.us.

Written comments can be mailed to:
New York State Office of General Services
Environmental Services Unit
39^th Floor, Corning Tower
Empire State Plaza
Albany, NY 12242