Print this page

Oregon

Oregon has a reputation for wild rivers and forests, scenic mountains and coastline, and a legacy of forward-thinking environmental policy to protect these resources. Yet not all is well in Oregon. Everyday exposures to toxic chemicals are risk factors contributing to illness in Oregon such as cancer, endocrine disruption and the most common chronic disease in children, asthma. There have been a few policies in the last decade that minimize exposure to toxic chemicals in products. Policies such as Governor Kitzhaber’s 2012 Executive Order 12-05 that sets environmentally friendly purchasing in janitorial products reflect a commitment to reducing toxics. In 2015, Oregon passed the Toxic Free Kids’ Act that requires manufacturers of children’s products to report and ultimately phase out high priority chemicals by 2021. And in 2017, Executive Orders 17-20 and 17-21 set procurement targets for residential, commercial, and public buildings and electric vehicles. Though the out-of-state American Chemistry Council has been active in lobbying against state legislation, such initiatives have found champions in both parties.

oregon

Oregon Partners

State Progress

Bill Tracker for Oregon

Current Policy

Toxic Chemicals General,
Heavy Metals
S.B.494: Directs the Department of Environmental Quality to conduct long-term study of cumulative impacts of air contaminants in areas surrounding municipal solid waste incinerators. The study must evaluate exposure to heavy metals, dioxins and other contaminants and the effects of that exposure on public health.
PFAS
H.B.3123: Requires Oregon State University to study the fate and transport of perflouroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances found in biosolids applied to agricultural fields.
PFAS
S.B.1001: Requires the Department of Environmental Quality to study perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances.
Toxic Chemicals General,
Plastics
SB.544: Directs Environmental Quality Commission to establish a program for source reduction of single-use plastic food ware and single-use packaging.
Toxic Chemicals General,
Plastics
S.B.405: Prohibits the sale of new clothes washers unless washers are equipped with built-in or in-line microfiber filtration system.
Toxic Chemicals General,
Plastics
H.B.3597: Prohibits the Department of Environmental Quality from issuing permits or other authorization for the construction or expansion of a plastic conversion technology facility.

Adopted Policy

Sustainability EO (Executive Order 06-02): The Executive Order specifically requests that the Oregon Sustainability Board assist local governments and the private sector with the development of sustainability practices, promote sustainable economic investment and development, and advance sustainability performance in state government.  (Adopted in 2006)
Chemical Prioritization / Disclosure / Phase-out ,
Toxic Chemicals General,
PFAS ,
Toxic Flame Retardants ,
BPA, Phthalates, and Chemicals Used in Plastic ,
Heavy Metals ,
Chemicals used in Cleaning, Cosmetics and Construction
SB 478 / HB 3473: Requires reporting of high-priority chemicals in children’s products and phase-outs of these products in children’s cosmetics, mouthable products, and products made for kids under the age of 3.  (Adopted in 2015)
Formaldehyde ,
Mercury ,
PFAS ,
BPA, Phthalates, and Chemicals Used in Plastic ,
Triclosan ,
Chemicals used in Cleaning, Cosmetics and Construction
S.B.546: Requires Oregon Health Authority to adopt and maintain list of designated high priority chemicals of concern used in cosmetic products and to periodically review and revise list. Requires manufacturers of cosmetic products sold in state to include on manufacturer's website notice of certain chemicals used in products, beginning on January 1, 2025. Bans manufacture, sale and distribution of cosmetic products containing certain chemicals and classes of chemicals in state, beginning on January 1, 2025. (Adopted in 2023)
PFAS ,
Food Packaging
S.B.543: Prohibits food vendors from using polystyrene foam containers in sales of prepared food. Prohibits a person from selling or distributing foodware containers containing perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances. (Adopted in 2023)
Mercury ,
Heavy Metals
SB 1512: Bans mercury in lamps exceeding certain standards, requires the state favor purchasing lighting meeting these mercury standards. (Adopted in 2012)
Lead
HB 2077: Allows Oregon Health Authority to order risk assessment and hazard control or abatement of lead-based paint activities and renovation to their 3rd party approved contractor(s) in homes and commercial spaces; Allows for civil penalties and for OHA to stop renovations. (Adopted in 2021)
Toxic Chemicals General,
PFAS
SB 737: Requires DEQ to test wastewater treatment plants for persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic chemicals, including PFAS. (Adopted in 2007)
Toxic Chemicals General,
Plastics
S.B.545: Directs the State Department of Agriculture and the Oregon Health Authority to adopt rules allowing consumers to use their own containers for refilling food at a food establishment. (Adopted in 2023)
Toxic Chemicals General,
Plastics
H.B.2509: Prohibits retail stores and restaurants from providing single-use checkout bags. They also must, in most instances, charge at least five cents for paper bags, reusable plastic bags, and reusable fabric bags although restaurants may still provide paper bags at no cost. (Adopted in 2019)
Toxic Chemicals General
The Sustainability Act of 2001: The Sustainability Act of 2001 established the foundation for sustainable procurement in Oregon. It defined sustainability goals for the state, including procurement, and established the Oregon Sustainability Board. One of the Sustainability Act’s procurement goals is to make state purchases serve the broad, long-term financial interests of Oregonians and to ensure that environmental, economic and societal improvements are made to enhance their well-being. (Adopted in 2001)
Toxic Chemicals General
H.B.3043: Expands the Oregon Health Authority’s authority to regulate whole chemical classes, streamline definitions and reporting requirements to save on program costs, and remove the limit of the number of chemicals that can be regulated at a time. (Adopted in 2023)
Toxic Chemicals General
Executive Order 12-05: Establishes a Green Chemistry Innovations Institute, revises procurement policies to purchase environmentally preferable products. (Adopted in 2012)
Toxic Flame Retardants
SB 596: Phases the toxic flame retardant decaBDE from products bought and sold in the state. (Adopted in 2009)
Toxic Flame Retardants
SB 962: Bans the toxic flame retardants pentaBDE and octaBDE, ands recommend banning decaBDE if safer alternatives are nationally available. (Adopted in 2005)

Click below to learn about toxics policy in our partner states