Putting Science First: Why the No IRIS Act Matters for American Innovation

On September 17th, industry leaders will gather on Capitol Hill to advocate for the No IRIS Act (H.R.1415/S.623)-a bill that offers a durable, science-based solution to addressing longstanding problems with the EPA's Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) Program.

For years, the IRIS Program has operated without Congressional authorization, issuing chemical assessments that often lack transparency and scientific rigor. These assessments have significant, real-world implications when they are used to inform regulatory decision-making and despite some modest reforms over the years, the IRIS Program continues to minimize or exclude high quality, relevant information, and default to overly conservative options when evaluating scientific information.

The result is toxicity values that are out of step with peer reviewed literature and other global chemical assessments. IRIS toxicity values are frequently set below naturally occurring background levels, detection limits, or even levels produced by the human body. This disconnect undermines regulatory credibility, puts access to critical chemistries in jeopardy, and threatens innovation across critical sectors of our economy that rely on the best available science to underlie decision-making.

Overly burdensome and scientifically flawed assessments like those produced by the IRIS Program jeopardize America's chemical manufacturing sector-an industry responsible for over $600 billion in economic impact and more than 4 million jobs. In an era of global competition and supply chain vulnerability, maintaining a strong, science-based regulatory framework is not just an economic imperative, it's a matter of national security. We must ensure that chemicals can be produced safely in America, so that we aren't dependent on foreign sources.

For decades, multiple stakeholders, including the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, have raised concerns about the IRIS Program's scientific methods and conclusions and called for improvements. Additionally, since 2009, the program has remained on the GAO's High-Risk List, flagged for vulnerability to mismanagement and lack of accountability.

Policymakers are starting to take notice--and take action. In May, the White House issued an Executive Order directing agencies to rely on "gold standard" science that is transparent and rigorous. The EPA is undergoing internal reforms within the office that oversees the IRIS Program, and the U.S. House of Representatives has repeatedly voted to eliminate funding for IRIS assessments. Most recently, the House included language in its FY2026 Appropriations bill to defund the IRIS Program entirely and prohibit the use of IRIS assessments in rulemaking.

While these are important steps, this moment demands a durable legislative solution-to give the American public assurance that the best available science is the foundation for regulations and provide manufacturers the certainty they need to grow the American economy. The No IRIS Act would prohibit EPA from using IRIS assessments in regulatory decisions. It's a straightforward step toward restoring scientific integrity and transparency in chemical evaluation.

American success relies on American chemistry. From agriculture and infrastructure to semiconductors and national defense, nearly every corner of our economy depends on the safe, innovative, and reliable production of chemical products. The No IRIS Act helps ensure that this critical sector is governed by objective, transparent, science-based policies.

Risk evaluations and risk management decisions for chemicals must be based on the best available science. We urge lawmakers to support the No IRIS Act and help ensure that EPA decisions reflect sound science, stakeholder input, and regulatory accountability.

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