American Chemistry Council (ACC) president and CEO, Cal Dooley, submitted a statement for the record to the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee’s Subcommittee on Superfund, Toxics and Environmental Health hearing on business perspectives for reform of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). His comments are excerpted below:

“We must harness the advances in science and technology made over the past three decades to enhance the assessment of the safety of chemicals in consumer products. Without a comprehensive approach, the American people will be left with minor adjustments to the current federal regime, and a patchwork of state and federal laws that will not enable a robust chemical management system.

“Congress should have several top objectives in modernizing TSCA:

• Ensuring the protection of public health, including children’s health
• Enhancing confidence in the federal chemical regulatory system and ensuring the continued safe, beneficial use of chemicals
• Reflecting the scientific and technological advances that have been made since TSCA was enacted
• Ensuring continued innovation from the U.S. chemical industry to keep and grow jobs that help make life-saving products, make our economy more energy efficient, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“We urge members of the Committee to recognize the value of TSCA’s new chemicals program in promoting industry innovation, and hope that Congress will strike the right balance in making modifications to TSCA that are protective of human health and the environment while maintaining industry’s ability to provide the products that make modern life possible. The business of chemistry has a major stake in this debate and has given considerable thought to practical ways in which TSCA can be improved. We look forward to working with the entire Committee as discussions get underway.”

Dooley also noted that ACC today joined several organizations, including most suppliers of materials for manufacturing in the U.S., in writing to the House and Senate chairmen and subcommittee chairmen with jurisdiction over chemical management, urging a “transparent and robust multi-stakeholder dialogue to modernize TSCA.”

“Paramount to the success of a comprehensive legislative proposal is the ability to discuss ideas and concepts in a transparent fashion and allow for meaningful discussion by all key stakeholder groups,” Dooley said. To achieve this goal, Dooley urged Congress to release a discussion draft bill as opposed to a formal bill introduction.

To view ACC’s statement for the record, visit www.americanchemistry.com/10764.