TSCA Chemical Management Issue Brief
Federal Chemical Management...what you need to know in 120 seconds
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TSCA Timeline: Mar 1976: TSCA is created |
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How chemicals are regulated in this country needs to change. You know it. We know it. Even the officials in Washington know it. Over the last 30 years, public confidence in the U.S. regulatory system has waned, and that’s why we will need your help to get the new regulation right.
The debate in Washington centers on a law written in 1976 which is clearly out of date. This law, known as the Toxic Substances Control Act (shortened to TSCA and pronounced tosca), covers the production, use and disposal of chemicals in the US. It requires chemical companies to provide the EPA with information about the chemicals they make to ensure they do not harm people or the environment when used properly.
Today, the law must go further to keep pace with advancing technology identifying the presence of chemicals. Congress should mandate a process for the EPA to establish federal, risk-based regulations that are transparent and restore public confidence in the safety of our products. The American Chemistry Council and your employer are leading the call for change. It is more critical than ever that Congress act, before state and local legislators arbitrarily ban more chemicals based on politics or unjustified fear, not science.
Our main points include:
- Chemicals should be safe for their intended use, and TSCA must be responsible for making that determination for high priority chemicals.
- High priority chemicals should be tested and evaluated under mainstream scientific principles and overseen by a fully funded EPA.
- A modern, effective, and transparent TSCA should encourage technological innovation and inspire public confidence.
Recently, EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson announced her principles for revitalizing TSCA, tracking closely with ours - transparency, science, and a true partnership that will protect the public, our markets, and our jobs. We praised EPA’s leadership in putting forward their principles, and added, “We must harness the advances in science and technology over the past three decades to develop a comprehensive law that puts the safety of the American consumer first, while promoting the innovation that will lead to the development of essential new chemical products and new high-paying American jobs.”
So the chemical industry and the EPA’s principles for reform are similar…but that’s not enough. Congress will now write the laws to set up a new chemicals management system and we will need your help to ensure Congress gets it right. In particular, Congress must be careful to create a balanced system to ensure safety, innovation and jobs. As we get closer to Congressional consideration of reform legislation, we will need your help, and, until then, we will keep you informed about key developments. For more details, up-to-date info, and ways to get involved please visit: www.impactchemistry.com
