11.30.09
Associations Provide Solution To Update TSCA
At a conference to modernize the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) of 1976, the Consumer Specialty Products Association (CSPA), Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) and The Soap and Detergent Association (SDA) offered eight building blocks to help guide the development of an updated law for chemicals management in the U.S.
“We are pleased to join with various stakeholders today to host a conference on the future of U.S. chemicals management policy,” said Pam Bailey, president and CEO, GMA. “The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency needs new tools to review and manage the use of chemicals. Now is the time to modernize TSCA.”
“We continue to urge the Administration and Congress to establish a stakeholder process to develop the most comprehensive gold standard for chemicals management policy in the world,” said Chris Cathcart, CSPA president and chief executive officer. “All stakeholders—Congress, regulators, downstream users, raw material suppliers, retailers, environmental, consumer and animal welfare and labor groups—should work to develop a sound public policy.”
“We have a unique opportunity to modernize chemical regulation the right way—protecting the public and the environment while retaining U.S. leadership in chemical innovation. We should seize that moment,” added Ernie Rosenberg, president and chief executive officer, SDA. “As we engage with other stakeholders, EPA and the Congress, we should all keep in mind that innovation will be critical to the development of more sustainable products.”
According to the associations, key building blocks include:
• Promote Innovation–TSCA reform should boost confidence in government chemical management and promote even greater innovation by chemical manufacturers and users of products.
• Review Priority Chemicals–EPA should establish a system to quickly identify and review “priority” chemicals based upon both hazard characteristics and exposures, including exposures to children.
• Provide Adequate Use, Exposure and Toxicity Information–EPA should work with chemical manufacturers and users to ensure that EPA has timely and adequate information of chemical hazards, exposures and uses, including uses in children’s products.
• Update the Safety Standard–EPA should establish a risk-based methodology to determine whether a “priority” chemical is reasonably expected to be safe for its intended use. Safety determinations should consider the effects of exposure to children and other sensitive populations.
• Clarify Risk Management Tools–EPA should have clearer risk-based authorities to specify risk management measures that will ensure that chemicals of concern are reasonably expected to be safe for their intended uses.
• Leverage and Integrate Chemical Reviews—policymakers should take steps to leverage the chemical management programs undertaken by other nations and to integrate the patchwork quilt of laws governing chemical management.
• Meet Deadlines—Policymakers should provide EPA with adequate resources and clear authorities to establish and meet deadlines to carry agency work under TSCA.
• Use the Best Available Science–Policymakers should ensure that EPA relies upon the best available science regardless of its source.
More info: www.cspa.org and www.cleaning101.com
Registration Open for 2010SDA Annual Meeting in Orlando, FL
Registration is open for the 2010 Soap and Detergent Association (SDA) Annual Meeting & Industry Convention. The event will take place Jan. 26-30, 2010 at a new location, The Grande Lakes in Orlando, FL.
The theme of the 2010 Convention is “Embracing Change: Strategic Insights for the Cleaning Product Industry.” Among the highlights of the event:
•A new and improved networking cafe area.
• Guest speakers including Alberto Dominguez, Walmart’s vice president, divisional merchandise manager of household paper goods and chemicals; financial expert Dr. Oren Harari; and Ben Self, founding partner, Blue State Digital.
• Charity golf tournament on Friday to benefit Cleaning with a Reason, SDA’s partner charity for women with cancer.
“More than ever, companies are looking to do business effectively and efficiently. At the SDA Convention, executives can meet with the industry’s leaders—customers and suppliers—in one place, at one time,” said Ernie Rosenberg, SDA president and chief executive officer, about the convention.
More info: www.cleaning101.com