What We Do

“The doctor of the future will no longer treat the human frame with drugs, but rather will cure and prevent disease with nutrition.”
— Thomas Edison

We are working to ensure that the wellness products you need are contaminant free.

 

Our Mission

Environmental Research Center, Inc. ("ERC") is a non-profit corporation organized under California's Non-Profit Public Benefit Corporation Law, whose mission is to safeguard the public from health hazards that impact families, workers, and the environment.

ERC is dedicated to reducing the use and misuse of hazardous and toxic substances, facilitating a safe environment for consumers and employees, and encouraging corporate responsibility.

  • On a mission to safeguard the public from health hazards that impact families, workers, and the environment, The Environmental Research Center was established in 2009 under the leadership of Executive Director, Chris Heptinstall. Environmental Research Center (ERC) advocates on behalf of the public by creating awareness to manufacturers concerning the hazardous substances present in their products. It is not only the goal of ERC to create awareness for manufacturers but also to facilitate the appropriate changes to products in violation by reformulating or providing warning labels on product packaging to better assist consumers 'on the floor' in making more informed decisions. Through independent lab testing of meal replacement and dietary supplement products, ERC monitors many products on the market today. Although ERC focuses primarily on nutrition products in the form of capsules, tablets, and powders, concerned citizens are encouraged to contact us to inquire about any and all products they may have questions about.

    Consumer Protection is the highest priority of ERC. As an established nonprofit organization, ERC seeks to promote a culture of informed and educated individuals by providing resources for the researching and testing of dietary supplements and meal replacement products. ERC tests products to ensure the accuracy of product formula and messaging. Catapulting off California’s Proposition 65, which requires a company to notify California residents if products contain above-threshold levels of toxic substances, manufactures are legally obligated to disclose a warning label if product formula contains toxic levels of noted substances in the proposition. Although the remaining 49 states do not currently have restrictions on toxic substances such as lead, mercury, cadmium, and arsenic to name a few. Products in violation are required to contain warning labels or undergo reformulation upon entering into the state of California in order to be compliant with Proposition 65. With a vast array of products on the market along with many emerging daily, ERC maintains a consistent schedule of evaluating, testing, and researching products of concern. If products are found in violation of Prop. 65, ERC provides legal council to bring a quick and effective change.

    Product safety is how ERC executes the core mission to safeguard the public from health hazards that impact families, workers, and the environment. Since the passing of Proposition 65 in 1986, progress has been made toward the end goals of reducing hazardous substances in consumable products & emissions, creating awareness of the dangers associated with increased exposure to hazardous chemicals, and advocating for a safe & healthy culture (OEHHA.GOV) . ERC is on a mission to implement the necessary actions to ensure product safety and consumer protection within the dietary supplements/meal replacement industry.

    References:

    OEHHA.CA.GOV. "Proposition 65 in Plain Language" https://oehha.ca.gov/proposition-65/general-info/proposition-65-plain-language. Retrieved September 9, 2019.

  • If you received a Notice of Violation (NOV) from Environmental Research Center, Inc. (ERC), then the product(s) listed on the NOV have been tested by an accredited laboratory and ERC contends your products are in violation of Proposition 65.

    You can view your company’s Notice of Violation on the California Attorney Generals website.

    ERC wants to work with your company to reach a quick resolution of this matter and to ensure your products are compliant with State law.

    Please call ERC’s Executive Director Chris Heptinstall at 619-500-3090 or email us.

 

“You should be able to pursue a healthy diet or lifestyle without worrying about heavy metals or other toxins in your supplements.”

— G. Spence, Digital Media Manager, ERC

 

TSCA Reform

Ongoing Ventures

Voluntary Compliance Program

Frequently, ERC's testing of products results in exposures of lead or other toxic chemicals that slightly exceed the levels acceptable under Proposition 65, but ERC declines to pursue legal action. ERC contacts the company to notify them of the detection and then collaborates with the companies to encourage the company to reevaluate the levels of toxins in all of its products. ERC initiates dialog with these companies, shares the results of their laboratory testing, and offers guidance in various alternative compliance remedies.

A more collaborative approach in these cases generally accomplishes the goals of Proposition 65, protects the citizens of California and the public at large, while at the same time encourages companies to take a more proactive approach in product testing.