EPA DISBANDS TOXICS STAKEHOLDER PANEL, LEAVING INPUT OPTIONS UNCERTAIN

摘要

In the wake of several resignations last year, EPA has disbanded a committee that previously brought together diverse parties to generate dialogue on chemical risk assessments, nanotechnology data collection and other controversial initiatives, raising questions about how the agency will foster multi-stakeholder discussions on issues once covered by the panel. Former panel members are divided on whether — in disbanding its National Pollution Prevention & Toxics Advisory Committee (NPPTAC) — the agency has lost a powerful tool for engendering discussion among stakeholder groups on issues that fell under NPPTAC's purview, with one former committee member saying much will depend on how EPA moves forward in gaining stakeholder input but another expressing great disappointment about the agency's decision.