The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy will hold a hearing on April 29 on draft legislation that would reform the chemical review and regulation process.
Subcommittee Chairman Rep. John Shimkus (R-Ill.) authored the Chemicals in Commerce Act (CICA) after a review of the Toxic Substance Control Act identified the need for reforms.
“I’ve said from the beginning of the process that I’ve wanted to work in a collaborative, bipartisan way to reform TSCA,” Shimkus said. “This new draft reflects suggestions from members on both sides of the aisle, as well as stakeholders and the administration. We should be proud of what we have accomplished so far, and I am hopeful members can continue to work together as we move forward. Reforming TSCA is not only good for jobs and the economy, but it is also needed to improve protections for consumers and the environment.”
TSCA allows the EPA to collect data on the manufacture, processing and use of chemicals to prevent unreasonable risks posed by chemicals.
The CICA would reform the law to make the process more transparent, workable and risk-based. The proposed reforms are supported by various industries, including automobile, technology and manufacturing.
Intel Corporation Director of Supply Chain Ramp and Regulations Carolyn Duran previously said the draft legislation would allow the EPA to address chemical substances in specific articles, and in a targeted manner.
“Such an approach allows EPA to provide protection for human health and the environment while also providing important predictability for high tech companies and the many other U.S. industries that manufacture products that are considered ‘articles’ in the context of TSCA,” Duran said.