Obama, EPA set out to reform chemical regulation

The Environmental Protection Agency and the Obama administration are setting out to reform the nation’s decades-old approach to chemical regulation, according to an announcement made Tuesday by EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson.

Jackson said in a speech that chemical regulation is broken and in need of major reform, pointing to upcoming legislation that will reform the grossly outdated 1976 Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).

Recently the public has become more aware of toxic chemicals which are pervasive in the food chain, common household products, cosmetics, toys and more. The reality is the EPA currently has very little authority to regulate these toxic chemicals.

Jackson remarked:

“...as more and more chemicals are found in our bodies and the environment, the public is understandably anxious and confused. Many are turning to government for assurance that chemicals have been assessed using the best available science, and that unacceptable risks haven’t been ignored.

“Our oversight of the 21st century chemical industry is based on the 1976 Toxic Substances Control Act....over the years, not only has TSCA fallen behind the industry it’s supposed to regulate - it’s been proven an inadequate tool for providing the protection against chemical risks that the public rightfully expects.”

The principles Jackson outlined to guide Congress in creating new legislation include:

• Chemicals must pass muster under a safety standard that protects human health and the environment;
• Responsibility for providing data rests with the chemical industry, not taxpayers;
• EPA must have clear authority to take quick action to restrict use of chemicals that violate the safety standard;
• Manufacturers and EPA should assess and act on priority chemicals, both existing and new, in a timely manner
• Vulnerable populations, especially children, must be given special consideration when setting safety standards;
• Green chemistry, which will lead to safer chemicals, should be encouraged and the public’s right to know about chemicals must be ensured;
• The EPA should be given a sustained source of funding for implementation and the chemical industry must pay its fair share to implement the new standards.

These principles represent a drastic shift in the EPA’s approach to chemical regulation. The EPA hasn’t attempted to regulate a single chemical since it tried and failed to restrict asbestos 18 years ago.

Jackson was also clear that the legislation must give the EPA authority to take action quickly. Since TSCA was passed 33 years ago, the EPA has only required testing on about 200 chemicals. Currently more than 80,000 chemicals are used and produced in commerce.

Jackson’s remarks were met with praise from organizations that have been pushing for this reform.

“The Obama Administration is in sync with a public demanding safer chemicals and better information they can use to protect their families from toxic chemicals,” said Andy Igrejas, National Campaign Director for Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families.