CALIFORNIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MARCH 6, 2009 ● PAGE 7

California Business in Spotlight at World’s Largest Tech Trade Fair

California companies In addition, the -California During his two-day CeBIT exhibition are being spotlight- ICT Summit gave the two entities the promotional tour, the Governor met with ed this week among opportunity to step up collaboration and various business and elected offi cials, more than 5,000 stimulate increased bilateral business. including German Chancellor Angela exhibitors and the Merkel, Lower Minister President half million Governor’s Visit and Hannover Lord attendees at CeBIT, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger Mayor Stephan Weil. In his meeting with the world’s largest joined the delegation and spoke at several Chancellor Merkel, discussions focused technology trade fair for events, including CeBIT’s opening on economic stimulus and California’s digital business solutions and information ceremony, where the audience topped desire to collaborate with other nations and communications technology (ICT). 2,000. The Governor toured the CeBIT like Germany on climate change. California served as the fi rst offi cial exhibition fair grounds, which showcased While in Hannover, the Governor also state partner with CeBIT, which began California companies and included 27 received the Transatlantic Partnership March 3 in Hannover, Germany. exhibit halls spanning more than 10 Award from the American Chamber of million square feet of exhibition space. Commerce in Germany, the oldest bilateral Innovative Businesses “I’m proud to have showcased our trade association in Germany. The award Many California companies, including great state here…,” the Governor told recognizes signifi cant contributions to the a state delegation of 51 small and CeBIT attendees. “Especially in the German-American relationship. The medium-sized businesses, showcased the middle of this diffi cult global economy, Governor was recognized for his efforts state’s innovative ICT in key industries it’s terrifi c to see so many companies to bring attention to the climate crisis and such as green technology, entertainment, from California seize this tremendous build a stronger relationship between the Internet-based services, TeleHealth, opportunity to network with organiza- United States and Europe. security, consumer electronics, digital tions from across the globe, sharing their For more information about CeBIT, content generation and distribution, innovative technologies and pumping up visit www.cebit.com. aerospace, and research and technology. their businesses.”

CalChamber: Avoid Midstream Rule Changes in ‘Green Chemistry’ Program

From Page 1 process, and some will want to change “The scope of the program being state scientists and puts it back into the the rules in the middle of the game,” implemented by DTSC is multi-faceted political arena. Schmelzer told the committees. “The and complex, so there are sure to be bumps GCA does not believe that would be a along the way,” Schmelzer said. “However, Time Needed productive exercise; in fact, this would be we will not know where and how it is CalChamber Policy Advocate Jason a major step backward.” most productive for the Legislature to Schmelzer told members of the Assembly The legislation putting DTSC in make changes until the entire process has Health and Assembly Environmental charge of establishing the “green been developed, implemented and tested.” Safety and Toxic Materials committees to chemistry” program, AB 1879 (Feuer; give the Department of Toxic Substances D-Los Angeles) and SB 509 (Simitian; Get Involved Control (DTSC) the time granted by law D-Palo Alto), authorizes the department DTSC has created a “wiki” website to develop and implement the program to identify “chemicals of concern,” study that allows stakeholders to post ideas before enacting any legislation that could and prioritize them, and regulate certain and comments on implementation and is complicate the department’s efforts. products that contain these chemicals. holding workshops all over the state. Schmelzer testifi ed on behalf of the The law states that DTSC can require The wiki is the fi rst step in a regulatory Green Chemistry Alliance (GCA), an in- labels, ban the use of chemicals in process that will have a signifi cant impact formal group of business associations and specifi c products, require reformulation on the California business community. It companies that are advocating an of products and more. is vitally important for companies to approach to implementation that values AB 1879 gives the DTSC until engage in this process. sound science and economic January 1, 2011 to develop the processes The CalChamber is urging members sustainability. The Cal Chamber is a that will defi ne the “green chemistry” to visit the wiki and post answers to the founding member of the alliance. program. It is within the Legislature’s questions posed by DTSC. The website is “We are likely to see complaints from authority to provide oversight to the at http://cagreenchem.wikidot.com/start. all sides throughout the implementation implementation process. Staff Contact: Jason Schmelzer