WASHINGTON, DC - The Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy, chaired by Rep. John Shimkus (R-IL), today made a profound step toward reforming the decades-old Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) by reviewing a draft of the bipartisan TSCA Modernization Act. Building upon work that began last Congress, members have worked across the aisle to develop this draft in hopes of achieving bipartisan reform that improves chemical safety, gives the public a greater confidence in American-made products, and helps facilitate interstate and global commerce.
“Our subcommittee has put in a lot of hours on TSCA over the past couple years, and that effort is about to pay off," said Shimkus. “A week ago we unveiled the bill before us today. Besides the bill language itself, that announcement carried a couple other important messages. First, members have been working together directly; challenging each other to find common ground; and discovering that we share many policy objectives."
“Improving the federal government’s ability to identify and manage risks from the chemicals manufactured and processed in the country is critical," said Ranking Member of the full committee Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ). “For six years now, there has been widespread agreement among industry, labor, and nongovernmental organizations that TSCA needs to be reformed."
James Jones, Assistant Administrator at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, said EPA is encouraged by the committee’s work, stating that the administration believes “it is crucial to modernize and strengthen the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to provide the EPA with the tools necessary to achieve these goals and ensure global leadership in chemicals management."
Michael P. Walls, Vice President at The American Chemistry Council expressed, “It is well past time that TSCA reform moves forward; the discussion draft is a major milestone toward that goal."
Jennifer Thomas, Senior Director at the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, explained how TSCA reform would bring much-needed clarity to manufacturers and applauded the draft legislation’s simplified preemption requirements recognizing the need for a single national regulatory program. “Congress is on the cusp of reforming this important environmental statute for the first time in nearly 40 years," said Thomas. “We strongly believe that the final, bipartisan product will more effectively regulate harmful chemical substances in a way that protects the health and safety of all Americans, while providing industry the certainty and consistency it needs."
Beth Bosley, President of Boron Specialties LLC praised the subcommittee’s bipartisan work and extensive outreach to stakeholders. “The draft TSCA Modernization Act passes the Litmus Test: It maintains the provisions that have worked well, and it fixes provisions that have been blamed for TSCA not working well. This bill has real potential for attracting substantial bipartisan support," expressed Bosley.
Chairman Fred Upton concluded, “This bill is good for jobs, consumers, and the environment. It restores the public’s faith in American-made products and gives consumers around the world confidence that a chemical cleared by EPA is safe for families, businesses, and consumers."
