Precautionary Principle – Number 204

Precaution in Industry, Canada January 2012

I.   What are standards for? The case of ISO 26000  Adrian Henriques, The Guardian, January 5, 2012 ISO 26000 is probably the most inclusive sustainability standard in regards to the issues it covers. These range from environmental issues and the use of the precautionary principle, to organisational governance. In between, the standard directly addresses human and labour rights as well as corruption, fair competition and consumer concerns. Read more II. HDP'S analysis of halogen free cables project completed  APCB Design 007, November 10, 2011 As a precautionary principle, many electronic manufacturers have publicly adopted a position to phase out the use of halogens, such as Brominated Flame Retardants (BFRs) and Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC), to potentially minimize the impact on the environment." This report on a 3-year alternatives study found some promising candidate materials though no drop-in substitutes. Read more III. Ford Sustainability Report 2010/11  "We do not formally apply the precautionary principle to decision making across all of our activities. However, it has influenced our thinking. For example, in addressing climate change as a business issue, we have employed this principle." Read more IV.  Canadian Judge Orders Review of Roundup’s Impact on Frogs Paul Tukey, ENews Park Forest, November 22, 2011. "Citing the precautionary principle invoked in the historic Supreme Court Hudson v. Spraytech and ChemLawn decision in 2001 — profiled in the documentary film, AChemical Reaction — a Canadian federal justice has ordered a full review of the impact of the herbicide Roundup on frogs and other amphibians.". Read more V. Beyond BPA: We need to get tough on toxics Dayna Nadine Scott, Globe and Mail (Toronto), January 4, 2012 "We need a truly precautionary policy that puts people first. Although individual consumption choices are important, our control over these everyday exposures is constrained by legislation, political institutions and power relations. These are remade through collective citizen action, not individual consumer behaviour." Read more VI. Five Things You Should Know about Environmental Links to Breast Cancer  Amy Westervelt, Forbes, December 7, 2011 Citing the precautionary principle, this analysis of recent breast cancer research shows that the scientific findings on environmental links to breast cancer, included in the Institute of Medicine's recent report, are stronger than that report's conservative conclusions or recent media interpretations of the report. Read more