New US federal chemicals policy proposals
A number of proposals are under discussion at federal level in the US, some of which are listed here. Further detail, including proposed text, can be found at the Library of Congress.
It is important to note that under the US political system, most proposed legislation does not become law.
Proposed Green Chemistry Research and Development Act
The Green Chemistry Research and Development Act is currently in the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. The Act, widely supported by the chemical industry, seeks to invigorate American focus on green chemistry by providing federal resources for research and development. Should the Act become law, funds from EPA, the National Science Foundation, National Institute for Standards and Technology, the Department of Energy, and Environmental Protection Agency would be coordinated to finance the program.
Proposed Kid Safe Chemicals Act of 2008
The Kid Safe Act of 2008 is a bill to Amend the Toxic Substances Control Act to reduce the exposure of children, workers, and consumers to toxic chemical substances. The Kid Safe Act would put the onus on industry to prove chemicals used in commerce are safe rather than on government to prove they are hazardous. The bill outlines a timeline by which chemicals on the market would be evaluated for their safety. Those which indicate a potential for harm would be placed on a priority list by EPA for further action. Up to 200 new chemicals could be added to the priority list annually thereafter. Both the Senate and the House of Representatives are considering identical versions of the bill.
Proposed BPA-Free Kids Act of 2008
The BPA-Free Kids Act (S. 2928) would ban the use of bisphenol-a (BPA) in products designed for children under the age of 7 and mandate the Center for Disease Control to study the health effects of BPA on all age groups and in pregnant women.
Proposed CPSC Reform Act
The Consumer Product Safety Reform Act (H.R. 4040) seeks to end the use of 6 phthalates in products designed for children 7 and younger. The bill would require that manufacturers use the safest alternative available and prohibits the use of alternatives that are known or suspected to be carcinogenic, cause birth defects, or cause reproductive or developmental harm. The bill would also mandate that manufacturers of children's products have their products tested by a third party to certify its compliance.
Proposed Chemical Security Act
After the September 11th attacks on New York and Washington, the US government has focused increasingly on protecting against ways terrorists could use parts of American infrastructure as weapons. The Chemical Security Act of 2003 was in response to the fear that chemical plants, if tampered with, would cause chemical releases that could injure or kill those living or working nearby.
In addition to mandating increased security around plants, the draft Act also calls specifically for chemical companies to change dangerous storage and production methods, and to involve safer technologies in manufacture, transport, and use of chemicals. If enacted, the bill requires that EPA work in partnership with the Department of Homeland Security and other relevant local agencies to identify chemical facilities to be prioritized for addition security measures including chemical reduction. These priority locations would be obligated to assess their vulnerability and outline what hazards exist, as well as develop an emergency response plan which will include provisions for reducing risk and eliminating vulnerabilities.
 |
