Multi-Industry Letter Re Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Reform
Dear Senators:
The undersigned organizations represent a large and diverse group of American businesses that create the foundation of our nation’s ability to innovate, compete on the global stage, and create jobs for U.S. workers. We represent each step in the supply chain, from chemical and metals producers to food and consumer product manufacturers to industries that rely on and sell chemicals and chemical-containing products. Effective, science-based regulation of chemicals is important to each of our industries, which is why we have come together to support bipartisan efforts to modernize the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).
Earlier this summer, Senators Inhofe, Vitter, Alexander, and Crapo accepted the invitation from Senator Lautenberg to develop a fresh, bipartisan approach to update TSCA. This was a welcome development.
Unfortunately, Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee leadership chose to move forward with a bill that did not reflect the input of the Republican Senators or many of the stakeholders on all the very complex issues involved in TSCA. On July 25th, the Committee held a markup of S. 847, Senator Lautenberg’s Safe Chemicals Act, and voted along party lines to approve the bill.
Attempts have been made to characterize the current version of S. 847 as a compromise bill that could gain the support of Republicans and industry. For our industries, this is not the case for the bill in its current form. We wholeheartedly support the continuation of a bipartisan process to discuss the right concepts needed in legislation to effectively reform the Environmental Protection Agency’s ability to regulate chemicals. We believe that S. 847 as reported by the EPW Committee does not accomplish this goal.
The Republican Senators, led by Senator Vitter, have signaled that they will continue to develop sound, science and risk-based legislation to update TSCA, and will work with members of the Democratic caucus on new legislation. We stand ready to support efforts to create such a bipartisan bill so we can all benefit from a successful and efficient chemical regulatory system that protects American families and our nation’s ability to innovate, compete, and grow.
Sincerely,
Adhesive and Sealant Council
Aerospace Industries Association
Alkylphenols & Ethoxylates Research Council
Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers
American Apparel & Footwear Association
American Chemistry Council
American Coatings Association
American Coke & Coal Chemicals Institute
American Composites Manufacturers Association
American Forest & Paper Association
American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers
American Gas Association
American Iron and Steel Institute
American Petroleum Institute
American Wood Council
Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association
Can Manufacturers Institute
Composite Panel Association
Compressed Gas Association
Corn Refiners Association
CropLife America
Ecological and Toxicological Association of Dyes and Organic Pigments Manufacturers, North America
Fashion Accessories Shippers Association
Fashion Jewelry & Accessories Trade Association
Flexible Packaging Association
Halogenated Solvents Industry Alliance, Inc.
Industrial Minerals Association – North America
Institute of Shortening and Edible Oils
Institute of Makers of Explosives
International Institute of Synthetic Rubber Producers, Inc.
International Sleep Products Association
Interstate Natural Gas Association of America
Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association
Methanol Institute
National Association for Surface Finishing
National Association of Chemical Distributors
National Association of Manufacturers
National Association of Printing Ink Manufacturers
National Electrical Manufacturers Association
National Industrial Sand Association
National Lime Association
National Marine Manufacturers Association
National Mining Association
National Oilseed Processors Association
National Retail Federation
National Stone, Sand, & Gravel Association
National Tank Truck Carriers
Nickel Institute
Oregon Women in Timber
Pine Chemicals Association
Plastic Pipe & Fittings Association
Plastics Pipe Institute
Portland Cement Association
RISE (Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment)
Rubber Manufacturers Association
Silicones Environmental, Health and Safety Council of North America
Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates
Specialty Graphic Imaging Association
SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association
Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance
Styrene Information and Research Center
Textile Rental Services Association
The Fertilizer Institute
The Vinyl Institute
Toy Industry Association
Travel Goods Association
Treated Wood Council
United States Chamber of Commerce
Utility Solid Waste Activities Group
