ACI Petitions Congress to Encourage EPA to Clear Chemical Innovation Bottleneck

The American Cleaning Institute (ACI), the trade association for the cleaning product supply chain, is calling on Congress to press the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to remove the “bottleneck in innovation” caused by delays in the EPA’s new chemicals review process.

ACI submitted the following written comments to the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which held a hearing to assess the impact of 2016’s Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, which updated the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) governing chemicals in commerce:

“We have long advocated for a regulatory framework, which the Lautenberg Act provides, that is balanced and science-based in order to promote innovation and ensure chemical safety while maintaining a competitive and sustainable industry,” wrote Blake Nanney, ACI director, government affairs. It is critical for the EPA to provide predictability, consistency and transparency in determining new chemical reviews. ACI member companies have experienced significant delays and restrictions with the EPA’s Pre-manufacture Notice and Significant New Use Notice review process. This has caused a bottleneck in innovation, hindering advancements in public safety and environmental protection; new chemistries could replace existing chemicals by using improved manufacturing and processing techniques that reduce risk, exposure, and energy use.”

Nanney added that the ACI stands ready to work with the committee and EPA staff to implement a chemical management process that supports American innovation and benefits US consumers and international business competitiveness.