NACD and Congress to modernize toxic substance legislation.
Press Release Summary:
Following 1st hearing of 111th Congress on reform of Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), NACD said TSCA should enable EPA to prioritize on chemicals that pose most risk, based on hazard, use, and exposure. It also urged Congress to build upon work of Chemicals Assessment and Management Program and to provide EPA with funds needed to carry out its mission. NACD believes this will optimize testing process and availablity of information on chemicals.
Original Press Release:
NACD Looks Forward to Working with Congress on Modernization of the Toxic Substances Control Act
As the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee held the first hearing of the 111th Congress this morning on reform of the Toxic Substances Control Act, the National Association of Chemical Distributors (NACD) issued the following statement.
"The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) became law over 30 years ago in 1976. As proposals to modernize this important statute are considered, NACD encourages Congress to build upon the good work that is already underway, particularly through the Chemicals Assessment and Management Program (ChAMP). Through ChAMP, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is in the process of conducting hazard and risk characterizations on high and medium production volume chemicals in order to determine whether further action is or is not needed on each substance. Congress should modernize TSCA to enhance these efforts by establishing a process and criteria through which EPA would prioritize its activities to focus first on those chemicals that pose the greatest risk, based on hazard, use, and exposure information. In addition, Congress should provide EPA with the funds needed to effectively carry out its mission under the program.
"A modernized TSCA and continued progress through ChAMP will facilitate testing and will make available information on more chemicals more quickly than a program such as the European Union's Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulation, which requires testing of virtually all chemicals in the EU, based primarily on quantity. NACD looks forward to working with Congress to modernize TSCA so that it will be a more efficient and transparent system that provides health and environmental information to those who need it."
NACD and its nearly 250 members have established themselves as leaders in health, safety, security, and environmental performance through implementation of the Responsible Distribution Process (RDP), established in 1991 as a condition of membership in NACD. Incorporated as a condition of membership in January 1999, NACD members undergo third-party on-site RDPV - RDP Verification. For additional information, visit NACD's Web site - www.nacd.com.
Contact:
Kathee E. Baker
703/527-6223, ext. 3042
kbaker@nacd.com
