ACI, SOCMA Support TSCA Reform

• The American Cleaning Institute (ACI) issued the following statement from president and CEO Ernie Rosenberg in response to the July 25 mark-up of the “Safe Chemicals Act” by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee:

“ACI has been and remains committed to passage of legislation that strengthens and modernizes the Toxic Substance Control Act. We have been thoroughly engaged in bipartisan discussions to get us on that path.”

Rosenberg insisted that any legislation enacted into law should continue to enhance consumer confidence in a strong, reliable and credible federal chemical management program.

“We will continue our efforts to obtain a bill that protects product and process innovations without detracting from EPA’s ability to conduct a robust chemical management program,” he said.

Rosenberg commended the effort and engagement of Senators on both sides of the aisle and noted that ACI will work toward opportunities for all sides to come together for a bipartisan, bicameral bill that promotes the safe use of chemicals, enhances public confidence in the chemical management system, protects American jobs and maintains US global leadership in chemical innovation.

The Society of Chemical Manufactures and Affiliates (SOCMA) also commended members of a key Senate environmental panel for addressing shortcomings in the nation’s chemical control law, while expressing concern over advancing legislation in the middle of bipartisan negotiations. The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works voted to approve an amendment from Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) to the Safe Chemicals Act of 2011 (S. 847), thereby ending what appeared to be a constructive bipartisan process to draft legislation on a clean slate.

“Senator Lautenberg says he wants a bipartisan bill, but today’s (July 25) markup says otherwise,” said Bill Allmond, SOCMA vice president of government and public relations.“Progress was being made by both sides toward a workable approach, only to snatch defeat from the jaws of a bipartisan victory.”

Allmond added that the amended legislation is an improvement over the previous version and does address some key provisions of TSCA, such as separating the inventory of chemicals into an active and inactive list. It also has more targeted information requirements, and includes processor reporting and puts more emphasis on utilizing existing information. The amended version also requires prioritization and improves the treatment of US intellectual property and new chemicals, both of which are essential areas of a modernized TSCA.

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