OPPTS Action Plan

The Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances (OPPTS) plays an important role in protecting public health and the environment from potential risks of pesticides and toxic substances now and for generations to come. To meet 21st century challenges and opportunities, OPPTS must anticipate and quickly respond to emerging science and technology issues. New technology offers the opportunity to enhance our understanding and develop new and innovative tools to address potential problems. Our use of cutting edge science, integrating pollution prevention as a core principle, demonstrating results through performance measurement and accountability, building new partnerships and collaborations—both domestically and internationally—will accelerate the protection of public health and the environment. Our core program activities, reflected in the Agency’s Strategic Plan, form the basis of our work. My goal is to accelerate the pace of public health and environmental protection while promoting the safe use of pesticides and chemicals on which our society depends. While all the work OPPTS does is important, below are specific priorities that I will focus on. I want to thank you in advance for supporting me in these efforts.

- James B. Gulliford, Assistant Administrator
January 2008

Ensure safe pesticides

Continue to promote the timely registration of new pesticides, the development and use of reduced risk pesticides.
Successfully complete and implement re-registration decisions and ramp up the registration review program for existing pesticides.
Initiate testing of potential endocrine disruptors and integrate endangered species protection into the pesticide registration review processes.
Strengthen the scientific understanding and develop a nanotechnology regulatory framework for pesticides.
Continue field-level partnerships to address worker safety and encourage environmental stewardship.
Initiate testing phase of the Endocrine Disruptor Screen Program to support the Agency’s need for endocrine hazard data.

Manage chemical risks

Strengthen the scientific understanding and ensure appropriate regulatory oversight of nanoscale industrial chemicals through use of new chemical authorities and implementation of the Nanomaterials Stewardship Program, and thereby facilitate the responsible development of this promising technology.
Meet commitments to North American chemical cooperation including the U.S. 2012 goal to assess and take needed risk management actions on 9,000 high and moderate volume chemicals and identify/develop additional program enhancements.
Make significant progress toward our goal of eliminating childhood lead poisoning as a public health threat by advancing meaningful reductions in blood lead levels for children at risk, through a comprehensive program of new regulations, technical assistance, education, outreach, and community assistance.

Partnerships and pollution prevention

Solidify partnerships and pollution prevention as core business practices.
Empower local communities to develop innovative environmental solutions through implementation of the Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE) program.
Expand industry sector participation as well as international interest in Green Suppliers Network reviews, resulting in environmental improvements and increased business capacity and efficiencies.
Promote adoption of Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) and the Federal Electronics Challenge (FEC) to help purchasers in the public and private sectors evaluate, compare and select computer products based on their environmental attributes.
Demonstrate results through collaboration and innovation, building upon the successes of programs such as Strategic Agriculture Initiative (SAI), Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program (PESP), Design for the Environment (DfE) and Hospitals for a Healthy Environment (H2E).
Promote stronger regional partnerships and geographically tailored approaches to address unique community problems.

Global environment

Implement EPA's actions under the Action Plan for Import Safety, the report to the President by the Interagency Working Group on Import Safety.
Promote international collaborations that foster the effective management of chemicals and pesticides, and promote joint risk reduction.
Provide international leadership in the areas of chemicals risk assessment, risk management tools, technology transfer and data exchange.

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