U.S. Toxics Legislation To Kick off eight Weeks of intense Debate

摘要

Senator Frank Lautenberg (D., NJ) and Representative Bobby Rush (D., MI) have introduced slightly different versions of legislation for reform- ing the U.S. Toxics Substances Control Act (TSCA). Both place the burden of proof on industry for ensuring the safety of its products as a condition for allowing them on the market, a profound change from the current law, which requires EPA to prove a chemical is harmful before it can be restricted or banned. The bills would also subject chemicals of the highest concern to an expedited safety determination requirement or actions to reduce their use or exposure. With the bills now public, lawmakers have set out an aggressive timeline for negotiations that would culminate in committee action in June or early July, a schedule that environmentalists and industry say they support. The upcoming negotiations will also begin an important test of the ability of industry and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to effectively work together with EPA on reforming the 1976 law, an issue that all sides say is a top priority.