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Sen. Lautenberg Introduces Chemicals Reform Bill
Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) has introduced the “Safe Chemicals Act,” which will reform the way new and existing chemicals are regulated. Under the new legislation, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) would have broad new powers to target chemicals of concern. In addition, manufacturers would have to provide a data set for each chemical they produce and the U.S. EPA would have the authority to request additional data if necessary. U.S. EPA would have to prioritize chemicals based on the data set, which contains both exposure and hazard characteristics, and the legislation requires that U.S. EPA take quick action on those chemicals that clearly demonstrate a high risk. Manufacturers would then be required to prove the chemical is safe in order to keep it on the market. According to the President of the American Chemistry Council, “The proposed changes to the new chemicals program could hamper innovation in new products, processes and technologies. In addition, the bill undermines business certainty by allowing states to adopt their own regulations and create a lack of uniformity for chemicals and the products that use them.” Senior scientist Richard Denison, of the Environmental Defense Fund, said the new legislation “represents a sea change” from TSCA.
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