EPA Proposes Improvements to Chemical Reporting Actions to help keep children, families safer (HQ)
WASHINGTON – As part of Administrator Lisa P.
Jackson’s commitment to strengthen and reform chemical
management, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is proposing
several actions to improve reporting on chemicals under the Toxic
Substances Control Act (TSCA). The Inventory Update Reporting Rule
enables EPA to collect and make current information on volumes of
chemical production, manufacturing facility data, and how the
chemicals are used. This information helps the agency determine
whether chemicals may pose risks to people or the environment. In
addition to enhancing the information to be reported, EPA is
proposing to increase the frequency of reporting.
“Enhanced reporting on the
production and use of chemicals will help give the American people
greater access to information on the chemicals to which their
children and families are exposed every day,” said Steve
Owens, EPA’s assistant administrator for the Office of
Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention. “The proposal being
announced today will allow the agency to more effectively and
expeditiously identify and address potential chemical risks and
improve the information available to the public on chemicals most
commonly used in commerce.”
The proposed rule would require
manufacturers, including importers, to submit information
electronically, which will help the agency to make the data public
more quickly. The proposed rule also would limit the information
that can be treated as confidential so the public can access it,
and require more reporting from chemical
manufacturers.
This proposal will undergo public
comment, which EPA will use to develop the final rule and guidance
documents. EPA expects to finalize the modifications to the
chemical information reporting rule in time for the next reporting
period, scheduled for June 1 - Sept.30, 2011. EPA will make the
electronic reporting software and associated guidance materials
available before the start of the submission period.
In addition to the proposed rule on
chemical reporting, EPA is seeking public comment on a draft
guidance document on chemical information reporting and on specific
documents relating to the reporting of chemical
byproducts.
To submit comments on the proposed rule
and the guidance document, see docket
EPA–HQ–OPPT–2009-0187: http://www.regulations.gov
More information about the TSCA
Inventory Update Reporting program and the IUR Modifications
proposed rule: http://www.epa.gov/iur
