The American Chemistry Council (ACC) testified at a recent U.S. House Energy and Commerce Environment Subcommittee hearing on legislation to modernize the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and address persistent challenges in EPA’s chemical review programs and strengthen domestic manufacturing.

Dr. Kimberly Wise White, ACC VP of regulatory and scientific affairs, underscored the urgent need to restore predictability, scientific rigor, and efficiency to TSCA implementation. The recent hearing follows the committee’s release of draft TSCA legislation to reauthorize a key funding program designed to support and enhance EPA’s ongoing implementation of the 2016 TSCA amendments.

“Congress rightly envisioned a risk-based, science-driven system under TSCA, not the speculative, opaque system we have now,” Dr. White stated in her testimony. “Over ninety percent of active new chemical reviews already exceed their ninety-day statutory deadline and over sixty percent remain pending for more than a year.

“Additionally, EPA’s use of overly cautious assumptions and unlikely exposure scenarios has led to flawed and inflated risk estimates of existing chemicals, resulting in every evaluated chemical being labeled an unreasonable risk since 2016. These delays and scientific inconsistencies discourage investment in new technologies and materials in the United States,” Dr. White says.

Dr. White called for timely, transparent reviews of both new and existing chemicals, grounded in real-world exposures and the best available science. A recent ACC survey found that 70% of chemical companies have decided to bring products to market outside the U.S. because of such delays, an ominous signal that American competitiveness is at risk.

“We appreciate Chairmen Guthrie and Palmer and committee members for convening this important hearing and for their leadership on strengthening America’s chemical safety framework,” says Dr. White. “TSCA can and should protect health and the environment while also supporting innovation, supply chain resilience, and U.S. competitiveness. By pairing TSCA fee reauthorization with targeted common-sense actions to address persistent implementation challenges, Congress can drive accountability and reaffirm the statute’s bipartisan intent.”

Chris Jahn , ACC president and CEO, echoes Dr. White’s concerns and stressed that EPA’s tackling TSCA new chemicals review backlog is essential to America’s economic and manufacturing leadership.

“When new chemical reviews routinely miss statutory deadlines, it undermines U.S. competitiveness and delays the materials needed for advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, and emerging technologies,” Jahn says. “Getting TSCA back on track is critical to ensuring the next generation of innovation is developed and manufactured here in the United States.”

EPA administrator Lee Zeldin and his team have taken constructive steps to stabilize the TSCA program. But administrative actions can only go so far. Durable, long-term reform requires congressional action. Significant, long-term TSCA improvements require congressional leadership to provide the statutory clarity, accountability, and structural changes necessary to get TSCA working efficiently and predictably.

ACC is committed to working with Congress, EPA administrator Zeldin and his staff, and the White House to fix TSCA so that U.S. chemical manufacturers can continue driving a healthier, more innovative and more competitive America.