WHAT IS
PROJECT XL?
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WHAT IS THE P2
FRAMEWORK?
UnitedStates
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of the
Administrator
[Mail Code 1802]
EPA-100-F-00-032
September2000
(http://www.epa.gov)
Project XL: PPG Industries
P2 FRAMEWORK
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Project XL, which stands for "excellence and Leadership," is a national initiative that
tests innovative ways of achieving better and more cost-effective public health and
environmental protection. The information and lessons learned from Project XL are
being used to assist the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in redesigning
its current regulatory and policy-setting approaches. Project XL encourages testing of
cleaner, cheaper, and smarter ways to attain environmental results superior to those
achieved under current regulations and policies, in conjunction with greater
accountability to stakeholders. It is vital that each project tests new ideas with the
potential for wide application and broad environmental benefits. As of September
2000, thirty-two pilot experiments are being implemented and over twenty additional
projects are in various stages of development.
The Pollution Prevention (P2) Framework is a set of chemical screening methods that
EPA's Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances (OPPTS) developed to
screen chemicals and products for risk in cases where data are missing or limited.
OPPTS developed the P2 Framework to help screen pre-manufacture notifications
(PMN) for new chemical substances that are submitted to the Agency under Section 5
of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). TSCA requires that prospective
manufacturers (or importers) wait 90 days after submitting a PMN before they can
begin to manufacture (or import) a new chemical substance. Within that 90-day
period, the Agency must evaluate the report and identify potential risks of the new
chemical substance. The P2 Framework has allowed the Agency to screen new
chemical substances quickly in the absence of data.
SUMMARY OF
THE PPG XL
PROJECT
PPG Industries, a leading global supplier of coatings, chemicals, and glass, operates
over 150 production facilities worldwide. Under this project, three of PPG's Pittsburgh
area facilities will use the P2 Framework and seek administrative flexibility to
manufacture PMN chemicals for commercial test marketing 45 days, rather than 90
days after notification to EPA. PPG will use the P2 Framework during the early stages
of product development, allowing PPG to improve the environmental performance of
products while reducing costs, saving time, enhancing competitive advantage and
decreasing potential liability. PPG also will conduct a validation study to compare
measured data with the predictions generated by specific models within the P2
Framework. As results are available, PPG will communicate the uses and benefits of
the P2 Framework to other companies. This XL project, EPA's 33rd, was signed on
September 14. 2000.
SUPERIOR
ENVIRONMENTAL
PERFORMANCE
By using the P2 Framework, PPG will be able to develop products and processes that
are innovative, cleaner, and safer for the environment, in less time, while operating
manufacturing and waste handling processes at higher levels of environmental
performance.
FLEXIBILITY
Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). a prospective manufacturer must
wait 90 days after submitting a pre-manufacture notice (PMN) before beginning to
manufacture a new product. EPA often concludes its review of the PMN after 28 days
for chemicals that are identified as "low risk" Through its use of the P2 Framework,
PPG expects that EPA generally will complete its review of PPG's PMN chemicals
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within 26 days or less. PPG therefore proposes that, in cases where EPA's review of
PPG's PMN is completed in 26 days, it be allowed to begin manufacture after 45 days
rather than 90 days. The shortened 45-day waiting period will be available only for
chemicals for which EPA has no further concerns.
STAKEHOLDER
INVOLVEMENT
Public meetings were held to inform the general public about this project and invite
their comments and participation. PPG conducted public meetings at its Allison Park,
Pa., and Monroeville, Pa., facilities. Other public meetings may be held during project
implementation depending on public interest or decisions by the direct participants.
APPROACHES TO
BE TESTED
Will use of the P2 Framework early in the design and development of chemical
substances result in products that are safer and better for the environment?
Will shorter EPA review periods for chemicals identified as low risk products reduce
costs, decrease potential liability, and improve market share-resulting in a
competitive advantage for companies?
CONTACTS
EPA Region 3:
EPA Headquarters:
PPG Industries, Inc.
Chris Menen
Lisa Reiter
Bill Waugh
Maggie Wilson
Jean Chun
(215) 814-2786
(202) 260-9041
(202) 260.3489
(202) 260.3902
(412) 492-5482
FOR ELECTRONIC
INFORMATION
More information about the PPG XL Project, or the Project XL Program, is available on
the Internet at http://www.epa.gov/proiectxl under "Information on Specific XL
Projects," or via Project XL's Information Line at 202-260-5754
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