The American Chemistry Council (ACC) is urgently calling on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reverse “misguided policy changes” and get Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) implementation back on track, according to the organization. In a press release, the ACC says:
“If the U.S. is to remain a global leader in innovation, TSCA implementation is critical. Promoting the safe use of the essential products of chemistry is a shared responsibility of manufacturers, the government and those who use or sell chemical products. TSCA can either be a catalyst to addressing our nation’s and the world’s pressing challenges or it can create an unnecessary barrier to progress. Implementing TSCA in the sensible, risk- and science-based manner the 2016 bipartisan amendments call for is the best way to catalyze progress.”
In 2016 Congress passed bipartisan legislation to modernize TSCA for the first time since the original law was passed more than 40 years ago, according to ACC. Years of work and negotiations among lawmakers of both parties, as well as extensive engagement by stakeholders from industrial, environmental, public health, animal rights and labor organizations went into the effort, says the ACC, and its members were key supporters.
“Congress intended the amendments to TSCA to protect Americans’ health and our environment while importantly supporting economic growth, manufacturing in the U.S. and promoting America’s role as the world’s leading innovator,” says Chris Jahn, president and CEO, ACC. “Six years later, TSCA implementation is in a dismal state. More than ever, we must help ensure America’s supply chains are resilient. EPA’s delays, faulty processes and policy changes that run counter to the statute are exacerbating already critical supply chain issues. If we don’t fix TSCA implementation now, products that consumers and critical industries rely on will be severely impacted, and America’s supply chain problems will continue to go from bad to worse.”
ACC’s press conference, “State of TSCA Report: Fix Implementation Now Before It’s Too Late,” is slated for Tuesday, May 10, 2022 at 10 AM EDT.
For more information, visit: www.americanchemistry.com
