Keller and Heckman Partner James Votaw Quoted in Chemical Watch Article

Keller and Heckman Partner James Votaw was quoted in the Chemical Watch article, “TSCA new chemicals review process has ground to a halt, say industry groups.” The article discusses the steady decline in the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) new chemicals review process under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). According to industry officials, the near standstill of reviews under the program affects the overall knowledge regarding certain chemicals and hinders development within the field.

Although EPA officials say that statistics support the view that the program has been operating at the same levels as in the past, according to James, “for a lot of companies, they feel like the process has stopped.” This is especially evident due to the recent increase in the number of substances being reviewed because of policy changes under the Biden administration. The EPA’s Points to Consider Guidance may help the Agency speed the process along. However, industry leaders have made it clear that the Agency needs more resources in order to meet the volume of chemicals under review in the program.

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