Scope of Work
Stewardship is typically defined in the context of products. It is defined by the Product Stewardship Society (an AIHA affiliate) as “responsibly managing the health, safety, and environmental aspects of raw materials, intermediate, and consumer products throughout their life cycle and across the value chain in order to prevent or minimize negative impacts and maximize value.”
Sustainability in the broadest sense, means the ability to endure. In 1987, the World Commission on Environment and Development (Brundtland Commission) published a report that introduced the term sustainable development, defined as "development which meets the needs of current generations without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." Translated for the industrial hygiene profession, sustainability is about minimizing the impact of operations on human health and the environment in order to help protect the workforce, the public, and the planet.
Goals and Objectives
- Assemble, evaluate, and disseminate to occupational and environmental professionals information relevant to product stewardship and sustainability.
- Provide education and training on product stewardship and sustainability.
- Provide resources that enable and promote the advancement of responsible product stewardship and sustainability.
Current Projects
- Product exposure assessment testing and modeling
- Safety data sheet authoring
- Product disclosures and declarations for nanoscale and advanced materials
- Close working relationship with the Product Stewardship Society
- Sustainable fashion initiatives
- Promoting the circular economy
- White paper, voluntary consensus guidelines or toolkit with templates and decision logic for the Nanoscale and Advanced Materials project
Awards
- AIHA Outstanding Volunteer Group (2021, 2019, 2017, 2016, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008)
- Awarded the AIHA Shining Star Award (2014, 2013) and Soaring Star Award (2012)
Products Produced by the Group
- Product exposure monitoring tools
- Professional product steward certification
Collaboration Efforts
Product Stewardship Society
Qualifications to Join
Members must be an AIHA member in good standing. If you are interested in learning more about membership, please visit https://www.aiha.org/membershi....
