IPC Recognizes Bipartisan Leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives for Passing the TSCA Modernization Act of 2015 (H.R.

Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 398 to 1 (with 36 not voting) to approve H.R. 2576, the TSCA Modernization Act of 2015. This bill provides an overhaul to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) law, which has not been updated in decades. The bill is intended to help move the nation toward a strong, cost-effective, science-based federal chemical regulation while modernizing U.S. chemical safety laws. Additionally, the bill contains measures aimed at ensuring more uniform national regulations on chemicals, which is important to IPC members who manufacture for the global electronics marketplace.

IPC commends the bipartisan leadership of House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-Mich.) and Ranking Member Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), as well as subcommittee Chairman John Shimkus (R-Ill.) and Ranking Member Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.).

IPC also appreciates Reps. Bill Johnson (R-Ohio) and Kurt Schrader (D-Ore.) for their efforts to reform the current TSCA reporting requirements that create an incentive to landfill byproducts rich in valuable minerals, rather than recycle them.  Although not addressed in the bill text, the accompanying committee report does reference the concerns IPC and others raised with reporting requirements and notes that EPA has the statutory authority to address those concerns.

IPC’s consistent engagement throughout this process (e.g. IMPACT 2015, committee testimony, coalition efforts, and engagement with senior congressional policymakers) was critical in the inclusion of this language.IPC will continue working with members of Congress and EPA to achieve a balanced resolution of this issue.

The companion Senate bill on TSCA reform, S. 675, the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act was approved by strong bipartisan vote (15 -5) by the Senate Environment and Public Works
Committee earlier this spring and  is expected to be brought to the floor by the end of the summer.