A common thread in EWG’s work is taking compelling science and molding it to make the biggest impact possible in a world where “possible” is a more meaningful goal than “perfect.” This means the Government Affairs team must be consulted early and often.
Run by Scott Faber, EWG’s Government Affairs team works on the Hill and with federal agencies. Ideas about what the government should do better frequently originate in their department. By maintaining constant, supportive contact with Congress, EWG is regularly approached by members with chemical contamination in their districts who want to identify legislative solutions. Conversely, EWG is empowered to be proactive in bringing congressional offices suggestions for clean water permitting reform or drinking water standards and advocating for agencies to move faster on critical areas of chemical policy reform.
EWG continues the work with the federal government that Ken started in the 1980s – commenting on regulations, writing testimony and helping members of Congress and their staff craft legislation. Often in partnership with other nonprofits, EWG sponsors legislation in California, which they did with the landmark Toxic Free Cosmetic Act, passed in 2020.
Government Affairs collaborates with the Digital team to bring the public into the work of agitating for reform, encouraging EWG’s powerful email list to weigh in on critical policy making decisions at both the federal and state levels.
Most of the Government Affairs team does not have a background in science. They rely on the Science Investigations and Healthy Living teams’ toxicologists and scientists for technical support. Everything they put together is reviewed by the science and communications teams in a loop of constant refinement for accuracy, clarity and impact.