Ricketts Introduces the Sound Science Act to Increase Transparency, Strengthen Science for Regulated Chemicals

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) introduced the Sound Science Act. This legislation would strengthen the science used for risk reviews and improve interagency coordination for chemicals regulated under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). By strengthening the scientific basis for regulation and expediting the existing chemical review process, Americans can have access to updated and safe chemistries. Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS) is an original cosponsor.

"Nebraska farmers and ranchers depend on the EPA's chemical review process for ingredients in livestock feed or in irrigation equipment. Chemical determinations affect supply chains in Nebraska," said Senator Ricketts. "Too often, regulatory decisions are made without reflecting real-world impacts. By using sound science and real-world risk profiles, we can have safer and advanced chemistries in the supply chain."

"As technology advances, we should use it lower health risks for Americans," said Senator Wicker. "The Sound Science Act would modernize chemical testing methodology, improve chemical regulation, and ultimately reduce the burdensome regulations that prevent U.S. manufacturers from achieving more breakthroughs. It would foster stronger collaboration between federal agencies to ensure safer and more advanced domestic chemical production."

"Senator Ricketts is delivering leadership to American manufacturers and workers," said Chris Jasn, President and CEO, American Chemistry Council. "The Sound Science Act gets the fundamentals right; regulatory decisions should rest on the best available science and federal agencies should work from the same facts. This bill works to strengthen TSCA chemical reviews, supports U.S. manufacturing, and helps keep America competitive. We thank Senator Ricketts for his substantive contributions to that effort."

The Sound Science Act would:

• Add new requirements to the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) risk evaluations including:
  • Ensure evaluations are focused on real-world risks and focus on those likely to result in unreasonable risk,
  • Require the EPA to use the regulatory levels which have been developed by other Federal departments for issues within their statutory obligations rather than develop their own,
  • Assume compliance with existing requirements from other federal agencies like from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA),
  • Subject risk evaluations to interagency review like a regulation and extend public comment period to 60 days,
  • Provide that other Federal agencies have a formal commenting period of 30 days to advise EPA of critical chemistries uses and supply chain impacts under their jurisdictions;
• Provide that any scientific assessment values developed by the EPA Administrator are directly subject to judicial review;
• Add new requirements under the Toxic Substances Control Act to add new elements to the scientific standards EPA must consider including:
  • Evaluating whether any scientific assessment developed by the Administrator meets scientific standards under best available science and weight of the evidence instead of simply being deferred to by the EPA,
  • Consulting with other Federal agencies and specialists on whether an EPA work protection standard is needed, and
  • Requiring the evaluation of comments from other Federal departments;
• Add a new committee in-person peer review for risk evaluations under EPA's Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals.

BACKGROUND

Currently, the Toxic Substances Control Act lacks consistent risk evaluation standards under the existing chemical program, provides limited coordination among federal agencies, and does not ensure timely review of chemicals. This legislation would speed up the current chemical review process while implementing sound scientific standards. The Sound Science Act reforms the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) by amending the existing chemicals review process under Section 6 and the scientific standards for chemical review under Section 26.

Bill text for the Sound Science Act can be found here.