Toxic Substances Control Act: Preliminary Observations on Legislative Changes to Make TSCA More Effective

GAO discussed the reauthorization of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), focusing on legislative changes to improve the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) implementation of the act. GAO noted that revising TSCA could: (1) strengthen EPA ability to regulate harmful chemicals; (2) clarify the act's role and relationship to other legislation; (3) improve EPA review of new chemicals before marketing; (4) accelerate EPA review of existing chemicals and shift some of the burden and cost of collecting data to the chemical industry; and (5) increase dissemination of information on chemical hazards. GAO also noted that: (1) TSCA does not address all pollution types and sources; and (2) national goals and economic incentives to reduce toxic chemical use are needed to supplement TSCA.