The US Senate will vote this month on S.697, the “Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act” introduced by Senators David Vitter (R-La.) and Tom Udall (D-N.M). This bipartisan legislation modernizes the outdated and inefficient Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) with common-sense reforms that protect consumers and encourage innovation and commerce. ATR supports this important legislation and urges all members of the Senate to vote yes.
TSCA was enacted in 1976 to regulate the production and distribution of chemicals in America. Nearly 40 years later, TSCA remains nearly unchanged and is in need of reforms to increase the efficiency with which chemicals are reviewed and distributed throughout the U.S.
S.697 contains a number of necessary reforms that improve TSCA.
Currently, chemical manufacturers today face a patchwork of confusing and inconsistent regulations from state to state which has resulted in burdensome compliance requirements and uncertainty for businesses. S.697 helps resolve this uncertainty by providing a stronger and more cohesive national chemical regulatory program that streamlines interstate commerce.
The legislation also implements a robust yet streamlined chemical review process that increases consumer protections. It does so by taking health and environmental concerns into consideration based on the best available science instead of costs.
TSCA as it exists today is an inefficient and outdated regulatory system that creates uncertainty and burdens on commerce, which in turn impacts consumers and the economy. S.697 will provide a desperately needed update that protects consumers, encourages innovation and commerce, and respects health and environmental concerns. ATR urges all Senators to support this bipartisan solution.