In an article published on April 29, 2014 by the industry news provider PlasticsNews Gayle Putrich comments on the U.S. Congress failure to revamp U.S. chemical regulation. The discussions at the hearing of the House Subcommittee on the Environment and the Economy on a revision of the Chemicals in Commerce Act (CICA) revolved around the same issues as they have for months, she states. The issues include how exposures for vulnerable populations, including pregnant women and babies, will be addressed, how state regulation will be integrated in the new federal law and the cost-analysis approach to be used to decide on restrictions or banning of chemicals. Some of the stakeholders present at the meeting argued that the revisions were an improvement compared to the last draft. Cal Dooley, president of the American Chemistry Council (ACC), contended that the revisions reduce the regulatory burden placed on the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Beth Bosley representing the Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates (SOCMA) said that risk evaluation and risk management are better defined in the revised draft. Mark Greenwood, CEP of Greenwood Environmental Council PLLC, argued that the growing patchwork of state legislation may prevent international trade and should be resolved by a comprehensive federal law. Representative Diana DeGette from the Colorado Democrats concluded that there still remains a lot of work to be done to reform the U.S. chemicals law.
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Gayle Putrich (April 29, 2014). “Chemical regulation revamp delayed, again.” PlasticsNews.
Scott Jensen (April 28, 2014). “ACC Urges Congress to Seize Historic Opportunity to Reform TSCA.”
