Reverse Onus in the Manufacture and Use of Chemicals

Resolved Section(s):
RESOLVED: That MSMS reaffirm its commitment to urge the State of Michigan to adopt and advocate policies that prevent avoidable harm to the environment and human health by placing the burden of proof, where there is scientific evidence of harm, for the safety of chemicals on those manufacturing, handling, importing, or proposing to introduce in to commerce such chemicals prior to their use; and be it furtherRESOLVED: That the Michigan Delegation to the American Medical Association (AMA) ask our AMA to reaffirm its commitment to urge the Environmental Protection Agency to adopt and advocate policies that prevent avoidable harm to the environment and human health by placing the burden of proof, where there is scientific evidence of harm, for the safety of chemicals on those manufacturing, handling, importing, or proposing to introduce into commerce such chemicals prior to their use; and be it furtherRESOLVED: That MSMS reaffirm its commitment to urge the State of Michigan to adopt and advocate policies based on the precautionary principle where there is scientific evidence of harm, which holds that when an activity raises threats of harm to human health or the environment, precautionary measures should be taken. The burden of proof should be on the user or producer of a hazardous chemical or product to convince government authorities that the product does not deserve to be restricted and that it is the least-damaging alternative available; and be it furtherRESOLVED: That the Michigan Delegation to the American Medical Association (AMA) ask our AMA to continue to urge the Environmental Protection Agency to adopt and advocate policies based on the precautionary principle where there is scientific evidence of harm, which holds that when an activity raises threats of harm to human health or the environment, precautionary measures should be taken. The burden of proof should be on the user of producer or a hazardous chemical or product to convince government authorities that the product does not deserve to be restricted and that it is the least damaging alternative available, and be it furtherRESOLVED: That MSMS supports the obligation of private entities that are manufacturing, handling, importing, or proposing to introduce into commerce chemicals that may be hazardous to human health or the environment to implement steps and precautions that are necessary to prevent or minimize damage to human health or the environment including carefully investigating the composition of the product and its properties from the perspective of health and environmental protection and clearly labeling products with data of importance from the point of view of protecting health and the environment; and be it furtherRESOLVED: That MSMS reaffirm its commitment to urge the State of Michigan to adopt policies discouraging use of substances that are persistent and liable to bio-accumulate, and advocate adoption of federal laws and policies that ban the use of such substances, and be it furtherRESOLVED: That the Michigan Delegation to the American Medical Association (AMA) ask our AMA to reaffirm its commitment to urge the Environmental Protection Agency to adopt policies discouraging use of substances that are persistent and liable to bio-accumulate, and advocate adoption of federal laws and policies that ban the use of such substances.