[USCC] Professional Credentials Committee seeks input and help

[Tim Howard]

A maker of toothpaste does not require a certified toothpaste maker.
But he does require certified and licensed electricians, refrigeration
techs, plumbers and others where self-regulation has proven inadequate
to serve the public safety.  I am sure the product must meet other
regulatory requirements from the FDA or someone similar that requires
the expertise of qualified lab technicians or outside experts for
testing. So manufacturing toothpaste is not as unregulated as it might
appear at first glance. 

It may be in the future that states will require certification in the
future when self-regulation in the compost industry proves inadequate
and site licensing is not enough to protect the public interest.

At the present I think certification would provide an aid to site owners
to insure the employees that they have running an operation have the
knowledge and capability to operate a site in a fashion that does not
threaten the public safety and increase the risk of adverse action by
governmental bodies due to breaches of various environmental laws.  If I
were a site operator, I would much rather hire an employee that comes
certified by an independent entity or send a new employee for training
and certification.  The risks to me as a site owner are much lower
because I have individuals that know what is important and because of
training, know the level of responsibility that they have to me and to
the public to operate safely without damage to the environment.

Tim Howard
Poly-Flex Composting
9480 Jamaica Avenue 
Cottage Grove, MN 55406
Desk Phone: 651-734-6237
Direct Fax: 651-734-6537
Email: tim at upnplastics.com
Cell: 612-616-0759