The Society of Toxicology (SOT) Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Task Force provided an overview of the need for TSCA reform and the successful progress of this group in implementing the SOT TSCA Reform Strategy during a March 25 Sunrise Session at the SOT 2015 Annual Meeting, which is summarized below. Mark Lafranconi spoke on behalf of the TSCA Task Force and provided a brief history of the need for updating this act that was signed into law in 1976. Comments provided since this briefing are posted on the SOT website in the SOT TSCA Reform Activity portion of the Newsroom. On June 23, 2015, the US House of Representatives passed a TSCA reform bill (H.R. 2576) by a vote of 398–1.
The SOT TSCA Task Force identified a number of issues with the existing law as follows:
- Grandfathered 62,000 chemicals
- Limited ability to control “Imminent Hazard”
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Cumbersome process for gathering additional information
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Risk assessment and risk management are integrated into the same process
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Inventory updates are inaccurate
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Confidential information provisions are weak
Dr. Lafranconi described the history of TSCA Reform that has been ongoing for over 20 years without resolution. Now, there is great interest in revising TSCA and the time appears right for accomplishing this goal during the present Congress. The efforts of the TSCA Task Force are consistent with the Society's strategic goal of promoting the recognition of toxicology by:
• Increasing the reliance of policy, regulatory, and corporate decision makers on the science of toxicology; and
• Communicating the benefit of toxicology to external audiences.
This SOT Congressional outreach has been accomplished through the following activities:
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More than 30 Visits with Congressional Staff and Members
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Written Comments on House and Senate Reform Bills
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Congressional Briefings
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Briefings for Members and Staff
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Op Ed Publication (Roll Call)
SOT’s key messages are TSCA Legislation should ensure that:
- The revised legislation affords flexibility in selection of the best available science for generating and evaluating information used in the safety and risk assessment process.
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The protection of the authority of the US Environmental Protection Agency, working with the scientific community, is recognized to judge when and how to apply new techniques and methods.
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The terms and concepts used in the legislative language that apply to the science of toxicology are consistent, accurate, and unambiguous.
The Task Force science-based efforts are making an impact in the legislation and on increased recognition for the Society as:
• Each version is using more consistent/accurate language.
• Mandates for specific testing or approaches have largely disappeared.
• Risk-based language is used consistently with increased focus on hazard AND exposure.
• SOT is on the "call" list for staff.
This SOT Task force will continue to analyze legislation, participate in meetings with House and Senate staff, and respond to Capitol Hill questions.
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In addition to Dr. Lafranconi, 2015–2016 task force members include Chair William Farland, Susan Borghoff, Deborah Cory-Slechta, Ronald Filler, George Gray, Daland Juberg, James Lamb IV, Moiz Mumtaz, Ruthann Rudel, and Robert Skoglund as well as SOT Council Contact Leigh Ann Burns Naas.