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The Six Classes is a visionary program of the Green Science Policy Institute, whose aim is to reduce the use of harmful chemicals in consumer and other products. It focuses on entire classes or groups of chemicals of concern, rather than phasing out problematic chemicals one at a time.

This approach of tackling entire groups of chemicals is needed because more than 80,000 chemicals are used in the U.S. Many have not been well studied and their impacts on human and environmental health are not understood. Even so, some chemicals known to be harmful are commonly found in consumer products. Moreover, when a harmful chemical is phased out, often after years of research and advocacy, the replacement may be a “chemical cousin” with similar structure and potential for harm.

The Six Classes approach can prevent such “regrettable substitutions” and accelerate reductions in toxics use.

In its work on each of the Six Classes, the Green Science Policy Institute convenes scientific experts, motivates needed studies, and publishes research results in peer-reviewed journals. Its findings are communicated widely, as part of its work for science-based change and for moving towards safer chemicals and/or technologies. A key element of the approach is to bring together scientists and decision-makers from business, government, academia, and nonprofits to develop coordinated strategies for reducing the production and use of chemicals of concern.

The National Center for Healthy Housing provides a set of policy resources for municipalities to reduce and avoid chemicals of concern in procurement

Full set of resources from the Healthy Hospitals program which includes:

• Step-by-step resources that will make it simpler for any hospital or health care organization to design, implement, and measure the success of their chemical reduction efforts;
• Guidance on healthier flooring, carpet and interiors products;
• Links to criteria documents and lists of products that meet the HH goals.

Green public procurement specification for general construction and flooring adhesives. The goal of the specification is to set a hierarchy of preferences for connecting materials together and to encourage the use of adhesives that have fewer health and environmental hazards in order to create a healthier indoor environment during both construction and building occupancy.

In January 2019, the California Building Standards Commission unanimously approved changes to the state building codes proposed by the California Office of the State Fire Marshal. The changes allow use of polystyrene insulation without flame retardants below a concrete slab-on-grade. These changes would maintain fire safety while improving human and environmental health.  This fact sheet details the key considerations for implementation of a policy on allowing flame retardant-free insulation within a building code, and the associated health and technical considerations.