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New US Federal Chemicals Policy Proposals

A number of proposals are under discussion at the federal level in the US, some of which are listed here. Further detail, including proposed text, can be found at the Library of Congress.

It is important to note that under the US political system, most proposed legislation does not become law.

BPA Consumer Information Act

H.R. 4341
The BPA Consumer Information Act requires a warning on the label of any food container that is composed, in whole or in part, of bisphenol A or could release bisphenol A into food.

Environmental Design of Electrical Equipment Act

H.R. 2420
The Environmental Design of Electrical Equipment Act amends the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976 to establish uniform national standards for the use of lead, mercury, hexavalent chromium, cadmium, polybrominated biphenyls, and polybrominated diphenyl ethers in electroindustry products manufactured after July 1, 2010.

Decabromine Elimination and Control Act of 2009

H.R. 4394
The Decabromine Elimination and Control Act of 2009 would prohibit the production, distribution, import, or export of decaBDE, decaBDE mixtures, or decaBDE products, beginning January 1, 2013, and require companies to use safer alternatives. The bill would also require any entity engaged in prohibited activity to report to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.

Endocrine Disruption Prevention Act of 2009

H.R. 4190 and S. 2828
The Endocrine Disruption Prevention Act calls on the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences to research the effects of chemicals on the human endocrine system, particularly among children. The legislation would establish an independent panel of scientists to oversee research to identify endocrine disruptors and develop a prioritized list of chemicals to investigate. If the panel found even minimal concern about a chemical, the legislation would require the relevant federal agency to report to Congress and propose next steps within six months.

BPA-Free Kids Act of 2009

H.R. 4456 and S. 753
The BPA-Free Kids Act would prohibit the manufacture, sale, or distribution in commerce of children’s food and beverage containers composed of bisphenol A (BPA).  The Act also requires the National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences to undertake a five-year research initiative to increase understanding of the health effects of exposure to bisphenol A in all age groups and in pregnant women.

Chemical Facilities Anti-Terrorism Act of 2009

H.R. 2868
After the September 11th attacks on New York and Washington, the US government has focused increasingly on protecting against ways terrorists could use parts of American infrastructure as weapons.  The Chemical Facilities Anti-Terrorism Act has been introduced in response to the fear that chemical plants, if tampered with, would cause chemical releases that could injure or kill those living or working nearby. If enacted, the bill requires that a list of substances of concern be created, including threshold values for exposure, based on the risk these substances pose to public and environmental health, infrastructure, or security in the event of a terrorist attack. Chemical facilities would then be categorized based on the risks they pose, and then be required to perform a safety assessment no more then every 5 years.

Household Product Labeling Act of 2009

H.R. 3057 and S. 1697
The Household Product Labeling Act would require household cleaning products to carry labels with a complete list of ingredients.

Ban Poisonous Additives Act

H.R. 1523 and S. 593
The Ban Poisonous Additives Act would ban the use of a container that is composed of bisphenol A or that can release bisphenol A into food.  The Act also directs the Commissioner of Food and Drugs to periodically review substances listed in federal regulations and generally recognized as safe and requires any substances that are shown by new scientific evidence to cause reproductive or developmental toxicity in humans or animals to be banned or otherwise restricted.

Green Chemistry Research and Development Act of 2008

S. 2669
The Green Chemistry Research and Development Act, widely supported by the chemical industry, seeks to invigorate American focus on green chemistry by providing federal resources for research, development, and technology transfer.  Should the Act become law, funds from the National Science Foundation, National Institute for Standards and Technology, the Department of Energy, and Environmental Protection Agency would be coordinated to finance the program.

Kid Safe Chemicals Act of 2008

H.R. 6100
The Kid Safe Act of 2008 is a bill to amend the Toxic Substances Control Act to reduce the exposure of children, workers, and consumers to toxic chemical substances.  The Act would put the onus on industry to prove chemicals used in commerce are safe rather than on government to prove they are hazardous.  The bill outlines a time line by which chemicals on the market would be evaluated for their safety.  Those which indicate a potential for harm would be placed on a priority list by EPA for further action.  Up to 200 new chemicals could be added to the priority list annually thereafter.