Lynn L. Bergeson Speaks on Disclosure Tools for Product Stewards at Stewardship 2015
Acta President and Product Stewardship Society Board Member Lynn L. Bergeson’s presentation “Legal and Stewardship Issues Associated with EPDs and HPDs” was featured in the society’s Full Circle Blog:
“Regardless of what the law requires, disclosure is fast becoming a commercial imperative, especially for companies wanting to establish themselves as ‘green,’ said Lynn Bergeson, managing partner, Bergeson & Campbell, PC [and President of Acta], during a session at Stewardship 2015.
In fact, laws often symbolize the minimum required. Companies are expected by consumers to do more. “Central to the concept of greenness and being part of the growing area of good product stewardship is the concept of disclosure,” said Bergeson. “What you say, how you say it and to whom—what you claim and don’t claim—is extremely important.”
Given this trend, third-party disclosure tools such as environmental product declarations (EPDs) and health product declarations (HPDs) are on the rise. During her presentation, The Legal and Stewardship Issues Associated with EPDs and HPDs, Bergeson helped Stewardship 2015 attendees understand the differences, strengths and weaknesses of each tool.
The need for standardized disclosure tools has become increasingly apparent. “’Green’ pretty much means whatever somebody says it should mean or could mean,” said Bergeson. Although the process of refining the tools is also an ongoing pursuit. EPDs and HPDs are two tools that have gained widespread use and recognition.