A bill signed Monday by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger sets up the state program. It could lead to an outright ban of chemicals in household items determined to have negative health effects.
Schwarzenegger says consumers are alarmed about the health and environmental hazards many chemicals pose.
He says the bill by Democratic Assemblyman Mike Feuer of Los Angeles is a departure from the piecemeal approach often used by lawmakers to restrict or ban individual compounds.
The governor also signed a companion bill by Sen. Joe Simitian that sets up an online registry for consumers, businesses and workers about chemicals.
