From supply chain, climate, and sustainability challenges to energy efficiency, power delivery, national security, healthcare and infrastructure needs, our nation depends on the products and innovations made by America’s chemical industry. Demand for innovative chemicals will continue to grow. To meet that demand and protect America’s future, the next Administration and Congress must commit to policies that support growing domestic chemical production right here at home.
Chemistry Lessons for the Next Administration & Congress
Chemistry Creates, America Competes
American Success Relies on American Chemistry
We ask policymakers to champion science-based policy solutions across all levels of government and look to our guiding principles:
Drive Predictable, Transparent, Fact-Based Policies
We support responsible regulation that puts sound science first, promotes innovation and supports supply chain resiliency.
- Advocate against unnecessary bans and restrictive rules that would limit availability of key chemistries.
- Ensure regulations account for the ripple effect they have on U.S. manufacturing, the availability of everyday products, and the broader economy.
- Promote domestic sourcing of critical chemistries through incentives and support for local suppliers.
- Improve the timeliness of new chemical reviews to reduce market uncertainty and advance technology.
Foster Innovation in the United States, Not Elsewhere
Expansion of chemical manufacturing in the U.S. leads to jobs, capital spending, and investment in research and development. Innovation is fostered through a sensible regulatory environment that incentivises manufacturers to develop new and sustainable chemicals here in America instead of offshoring it to foreign countries like China.
- Avoid regulatory overreach and onerous restrictions that don’t reflect the true risk and intended uses of new products.
- Modernize permitting policies to encourage U.S. innovation advancing key national priorities and U.S. competitiveness.
- Promote policies which support sustainability instead of production caps and bans.
- Ensure sensible tax policy for expanding U.S. business, creating jobs, and cutting costs for U.S. consumers.
- Promote investment in R&D, strengthening supply chains, and economic growth.
- Ensure no unnecessary taxes on critical chemicals and key material which are pivotal to American manufacturing, domestic production, and increased competition.
Protect Our Environment
Chemistry companies manufacture key inputs for solar panels, wind turbines, lightweight vehicle parts, and more to help fight climate change and enable clean air and water. These are the products that will build a sustainable future and require chemistry in every one.
- Put science first by ensuring the use of the best available science to inform decision making.
- Protect and preserve a healthier environment through championing innovative, science-based policy solutions across all levels of government.
- Promote the safe use of chemicals, addressing environmental impacts of products and operations, going beyond regulatory requirements through Responsible Care®, and collaborating with others to fulfill our sustainability commitments.
Safeguard Our Communities
As members of the communities where we operate, we have an obligation to advance safety and prevent incidents. And we’re committed to working with regulators and legislators to protect workers and communities. Responsible Care® is our industry’s commitment to the health and safety of our employees, the communities in which we operate and the environment.
- Promote industry-led initiatives like Responsible Care that mandate monitoring, improving and publicly reporting performance in areas such as air emissions, water use, energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions and that require companies to conduct third-party audits to confirm successful implementation of program requirements.
- Implement rigorous peer review of federal scientific studies that inform regulatory decisions to enhance credibility and reliability.
- Work with regulators to modernize regulations that ensure safety and environmental protection while not stifling innovation and competitiveness.
Promote Resilient Supply Chains
Transporting chemicals is essential to keeping the economy running. The chemical industry is one of the country’s largest shippers across all modes of transportation. To put supply chain problems behind us, we must continue to move forward on additional policy reforms that will unlock the full capability of the entire transportation network.
- Implement regulations to ensure the reliability of our systems for all suppliers.
- Enact key legislative modernization to ensure commodities are transported safely for our communities.