MoreA House subcommittee on Thursday got the ball rolling on what could be significant reform of the law controlling toxics. The House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection held a hearing entitled “Revisiting the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976,” which was intended to address critical gaps in TSCA and explore how these gaps hinder effective chemical safety policy in the U.S.
Witnesses agreed that there are shortcomings under TSCA, but disagreed on whether TSCA should be revised or the U.S. should adopt a chemical control program similar to the European Union’s Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulation.
Several witnesses urged Congress not to implement a program similar to REACH without first waiting to see how well REACH works in the EU. Instead, witnessessuggested that the Chemical Management and Assessment program (ChAMP) be allowed to continue, or that the U.S. look to Canada’s Chemicals Management Plan.
Witnesses agreed that there are shortcomings under TSCA, but disagreed on whether TSCA should be revised or the U.S. should adopt a chemical control program similar to the European Union’s Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulation.
Several witnesses urged Congress not to implement a program similar to REACH without first waiting to see how well REACH works in the EU. Instead, witnessessuggested that the Chemical Management and Assessment program (ChAMP) be allowed to continue, or that the U.S. look to Canada’s Chemicals Management Plan.
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