EPA Holds Public Meeting on Approaches for Identifying Candidates for Prioritization under TSCA

Over the past year, EPA has been working to implement new chemical regulations under the amended TSCA rule. This month, the Agency held two public meetings to update the stakeholders on the progress of implementing these changes as well as the approaches they are taking on certain parts of the new rule. The second of these meetings was held on December 11, 2017 at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in downtown Washington, D.C. EPA discussed the process of prioritization chemicals for review and several presenters touched on different approaches to choosing chemicals for prioritization. Dr. Jeffrey Morris, director of the office of pollution prevention and toxics at the Agency, provided some background information on the goals of the agency in identifying potential candidates for prioritization. By the end of December 2019, the EPA must prioritize at least 20 high-priority and 20 low-priority chemicals. Several approaches for choosing chemicals to prioritize were discussed, including using the 2014 TSCA work plan, using a model based on Canada’s Chemical Management Plan, and using the Safer Chemical Ingredient List SCIL, among others. EPA is accepting comments on which approach would be best. These comments are due on January 25, 2018. SGIA will continue to monitor the implementation of this regulation. Sign up to receive the most up-to-date regulatory and legislative information about specialty imaging.