WASHINGTON (September 12, 2017) – The American Chemistry Council (ACC) released the following statement concerning the petitions for intervention that it and other industry stakeholders filed on behalf of the EPA in lawsuits concerning the Agency’s final rules to prioritize chemicals for review and conduct risk evaluations of high-priority substances as required by the Lautenberg Chemical Safety Act (LCSA):
“Enactment of LCSA was the result of years of work and negotiations between lawmakers of both parties, as well as extensive engagement by stakeholders from industry, environmental, public health, animal rights and labor organizations. After a year-long regulatory development process—in which the Agency solicited and considered broad feedback from stakeholders through comments and workshops—EPA exercised its discretion appropriately in publishing well-designed framework rules to implement the law in a way that is consistent with the intent of Congress.
“The recent petitions filed by several non-governmental organizations are without merit and could jeopardize EPA’s ability to prioritize chemicals for risk evaluation and conduct those risk evaluations of high-priority substances within the strict but achievable timeframes that LCSA demands.
“While we appreciate that not all stakeholders agree with EPA’s approach in the framework rules, we are disappointed that litigation was pursued as it consumes resources of EPA and stakeholders that could otherwise be dedicated to advancing prioritization and risk evaluations of chemicals in commerce. ACC and other industry stakeholders have filed motions to intervene in this litigation on behalf of EPA. We seek to ensure that our voices are heard, and we will continue to work constructively outside the courtroom to further advance science-based prioritization and risk evaluation processes that are consistent with the LCSA’s requirements and congressional intent.”
The following organizations jointly filed the motions to intervene: American Chemistry Council, American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates, United States Chamber of Commerce, American Coatings Association, American Coke and Coal Chemicals Institute, American Forest & Paper Association, American Petroleum Institute, Battery Council International, EPS Industry Alliance, IPC — Association Connecting Electronics Industries, National Association of Chemical Distributors, National Mining Association, Polyurethane Manufacturers Association, Silver Nanotechnology Working Group, Styrene Information and Research Center and the Utility Solid Waste Activities Group.