EPA to Discuss TSCA Chemical Prioritization Process in Upcoming Webinar - Invites Comments

The USEPA is reevaluating and seeks to enhance their current chemicals management program as authorized under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).  As part of this reevaluation EPA has scheduled a webinar on the prioritization factors and data sources the Agency plans to use to identify priority substances.  EPA is also inviting the public to share their thoughts in an online discussion forum.


The discussion forum seeks comments on two steps in the process.  The first step is prioritization and is split into two substeps - the priority factors to be used to identify substances of high priority, and the sources of data for those factors.  The second step is to look at additional factors and sources for further analysis beyond the prioritization step.

More information and links to the discussion forum for each of the steps can be found on the
EPA discussion forum site.  All comments will be reviewed by the EPA, though since this is not a formal rule-making EPA will not respond directly to each comment.  The online forum is now open and will remain open through 5:00 pm EDT on September 14, 2011.

In conjunction, EPA is inviting participation in a webinar that will discuss the prioritization factors and data sources.  The webinar will be held on Wednesday, September 7, 2011 from 1:30 to 4:30 pm EDT.  Interested parties may register for the webinar here.

Prior to the webinar or submitting comments in the online discussion forum, all are encouraged to read EPA's background paper and discussion guide, which lays out the current thought process.  This can be downloaded as a PDF file here.