ACC Responds to Introduction of Senator Lautenberg's Chemical Safety Legislation

American Chemistry Council (ACC) president & CEO Cal Dooley issued the following statement after the introduction of the “Safe Chemicals Act of 2011” by U.S. Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ), chairman of the Subcommittee on Superfund, Toxics, and Environmental Health:

“We thank Senator Lautenberg for his longstanding leadership on this vital but complex issue and look forward to reviewing his bill in greater detail.

“The American Chemistry Council and its member companies are strongly aligned on the need to modernize the 35-year-old Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The reintroduction of Senator Lautenberg’s TSCA bill should heighten consideration of this important effort.

“ACC supported many of the goals and objectives of the senator’s legislation in the last Congress, but his earlier proposal was inconsistent with the principles that we have set out for a successful TSCA modernization in several important respects. Further, the bill contained provisions that would not have produced the benefits intended by its authors. Unfortunately, it appears many of our concerns have not been addressed in this new version, and the bill introduced today could put American innovation and jobs at risk.

“ACC and its members are actively engaged in efforts to inform lawmakers about the need to update TSCA. As outlined in our announced principles, under a strengthened TSCA, chemicals should be safe for their intended use; EPA should prioritize chemicals for safe use determinations to focus on chemicals of highest concern; the chemical industry should provide robust information in a transparent manner on the chemicals it produces; and companies and EPA should work together to enhance public access to chemical health and safety information. Most importantly, sound science must be the foundation on which a modern TSCA is built. Both industry and consumers need to have confidence that EPA has a framework in place to ensure that the latest advances in science and technology, proven yet innovative testing methods, and the highest quality data are used in regulatory decision-making.”

“Congress has an opportunity to update our chemicals management system to be balanced, foster innovation, protect American jobs, and reassert our nation’s leadership in the global marketplace. We welcome the opportunity to work with lawmakers and stakeholders to make this a reality.”

ACC is at the forefront of a broad inter-industry alliance working to support Congress’ effort to modernize the Toxic Substances Control Act, which was passed by Congress and signed into law in 1976. The Association strongly believes that the nation’s chemical management system should be updated to keep pace with advances in science and technology.