EPA Administrator Jackson said in late September that these concepts will guide the Obama Administration’s changes to existing chemical risk management law
• Chemicals should be reviewed against risk-based safety standards based on sound science and protective of human health and the environment.
• Manufacturers should provide EPA with the necessary information to conclude that new and existing chemicals are safe and do not endanger public health or the environment.
• EPA should have clear authority to take risk management actions when chemicals do not meet the safety standard, with flexibility to take into account sensitive subpopulations, costs, social benefits, equity and other relevant considerations.
• Manufacturers and EPA should assess and act on priority chemicals, both existing and new, in a timely manner
• Green Chemistry should be encouraged and provisions assuring Transparency and Public Access to Information should be strengthened
• EPA should be given a sustained source of funding for implementation
