TSCA Legislative Reform
Legislative efforts are underway in Congress to make significant revisions to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Written in 1976 to protect the public from risks created by manufactured chemicals, there has been a general consensus that the regulation is somewhat out of step with chemical production, science and public expectations regarding testing.
 
In 2010, Congress held exploratory hearings and began drafting reform language. Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) has formally introduced legislation (S. 3209, Safe Chemicals Act of 2010) in the Senate. In the House, Congressmen Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Bobby Rush’s (D-IL) staffs have circulated draft language (Toxic Chemical Safety Act of 2010), which has been reviewed by congressional staff, nongovernmental organizations and industry. 
In the early months of the 112th Congress Senator Lautenberg  reintroduced a revised version of his 2010 legislation, S.847 Safe Chemicals Act of 2011.

Letter from ASC President to Subcommittee on Superfund
Publication - February 2011
In early February, Senator Frank Lautenberg held hearings as a prelude to his introduction of TSCA Reform legislation in the 112th Congress.  ASC provided the Subcommittee on Superfund, Toxics and Environmental Health the following letter outlining the adhesive and sealant industry’s principle understanding of what must be included in a modernized TSCA.

Below find links to current TSCA documents:

March 14, 2012 -EPA Announces New Risk Assessment Prioritization Plan; Seven Chemicals Scheduled for Risk Assessment Development in 2012

January 30, 2012 - ASC Meets with Senator Ayotte's Staff on TSCA Reform

January 13, 2012 -ASC Alert announces OMB to Review EPA Draft Proposed Rule that Could Limit CBI Claims

April 25, 2011 - Policy Statement—Chemical-Management Policy: Prioritizing Children’s Health

April 25, 2011 - ASC Supports AAP State on Need for TSCA Modernization

April 15, 2011 - AAI Lautenberg Statement

April 15, 2011 - Senator Lautenberg introduces Safe Chemicals Reform Act of 2011

April 15, 2011 - ASC’s statement on the Lautenberg legislation

US Senate to examine the Safe Chemicals Act of 2011

ASC Alert announcing EPA newly finalized Chemical Reporting Rule.

ASC Alert announces EPA September 7 webinar to address determining prioritization factors and data sources for chemical assessment strategies  under TSCA.

For further information on the Government Relations issues, please contact Mark Collatz, ASC's Director of Government Relations, at (301) 986-9700 ext. 112.