Under
a reformed US Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), called now Lautenberg Act,
the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has the authority to require
manufacturers, importers and processors to test the chemicals they place on the
market for any associated health and environmental effects. EPA
will perform the risk evaluation on
existing substances based on a “priority list” of 10 substances, which will be
treated during a 3 year timeframe.
Before the EPA begins the evaluation of a chemical, it must provide the public with the opportunity to submit data to support it. Also, industry is invited to perform the risk assessment on a voluntary basis for EPA approval.
Therefore US companies are likely to need access to existing studies developed elsewhere in the world, as they attempt to support the EPA risk evaluations.
Before the EPA begins the evaluation of a chemical, it must provide the public with the opportunity to submit data to support it. Also, industry is invited to perform the risk assessment on a voluntary basis for EPA approval.
Therefore US companies are likely to need access to existing studies developed elsewhere in the world, as they attempt to support the EPA risk evaluations.