• Adopted in 1989, TURA is designed to protect public health and the environment while enhancing the competitiveness of Massachusetts businesses. 

    Under TURA, facilities that use large amounts of toxic chemicals are required to report on their chemical use, conduct toxics use reduction planning every two years, and pay a fee. The fees paid by TURA filers
    support the work of the TURA implementing agencies, and are used to provide a wide variety of services, including training, grant programs and technical assistance.

    MassDEP: The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) is charged with enforcing the law’s annual reporting and biennial planning mandates, and promoting TUR as the preferred way to bring facilities into compliance with environmental regulations. The Department oversees licensing toxics use reduction planners (TURPs), and preparing an annual public report on toxic chemical use in the Commonwealth.

    OTA: The Office of Technical Assistance and Technology (OTA) provides no-cost, confidential assistance to toxic users to reduce their chemical use or increase the efficiency of energy, water, and materials use. OTA also produces fact sheets, case studies, and guidance on TURA, energy and water conservation, and compliance, and hosts workshops and other educational opportunities. OTA makes on-site visits to businesses, and is available to answer questions over the phone or by email.

    TURI: The Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI), located at UMass Lowell, is a multi-disciplinary research, education, and policy center. TURI sponsors and conducts research, organizes education and training programs and provides research and technical support to large and small businesses and community organizations. Among other activities, TURI trains TUR planners; convenes business working-groups; conducts policy research and analysis; provides grants to businesses, municipalities, community groups, and researchers; provides laboratory testing; and maintains a specialized library on toxic chemicals and safer alternatives.