The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will no longer accept a certain type of confidentiality claim, known as Confidential Business Information, on the identity of chemicals. The chemicals affected by this action are those that are submitted to EPA with studies that show a substantial risk to people's health and the environment and have been previously disclosed on the Toxic Substances Control Act Chemical Inventory.
Steve Owens, assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances, says the American people are entitled to transparent, accessible information on chemicals that may pose a risk to their health or the environment. He says EPA will continue taking steps that increase transparency and assure the safety of chemicals.
EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson says that this action represents another step to use the agency's authority under the existing TSCA to the fullest extent possible, recognizing EPA's strong belief that the 1976 law is both outdated and in need of reform.
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