Toxic Substances Control Act

Summary

Toxic Substances Control Act - Presents the finding of the Congress that man and the environment are being exposed to many chemical substances each year, that many of the chemical substances being developed and produced pose unreasonable threats to the environment, and that the effective regulation of interstate commerce in chemical substances necesitates regulation in intrastate commerce. Authorizes the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to require manufacturers and processors of chemical substances to monitor their products and to furnish the results of such monitoring to the Administrator. Requires the Administrator, within one year of enactment of this Act, to propose regulations specifying test protocols for various classes and uses of chemical substances and for the results that must be achieved to protect health and the environment. Requires any manufacturer of a new chemical substance, which is subject to the regulations promulgated under this Act, to submit test results for the intended uses of the substances at least 90 days in advance of the commercial production of that substance. Authorizes the Administrator to require testing of existing chemical substances when he has reason to believe that the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, or disposal of that substance poses an unreasonable threat to human health or the environment. Authorizes the district courts of the United States, upon the petition of the Administrator or the Attorney General, to restrain the uses or distribution of the chemical substance responsible for an imminent hazard. Provides that the court order may require that stocks of such substances be recalled by the manufacturer from wholesalers, retailers, and other distributors. Provides that an imminent hazard will be considered to exist when there is sufficent evidence to show that the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, or disposal of a chemical substance will result in serious damage to human health or the environment prior to the completion of a formal proceeding held pursuant to this Act. Authorizes the seizure of those chemical substances which the Administrator finds are manufactured, processed, distributed, used, or disposed of in violation of regulations under this Act and of themselves constitue an imminent hazard. Provides that the seizure shall be accomplished by condemnation in any district court of the United States within whose jurisdiction such chemical substances is found. Authorizes the Administrator to require reports of manufacturers to enable him to be aware of the chemical substances in use so that he can adequately discharge his function under this Act. Provides that reports be required indicating the names and identity of chemical substances produced, the categories of use, the amounts of each substance produced, and a description of the by-products of each chemical substance. Authorizes the Administrator to exempt manufacturers or processors from all or any part of the reporting requirement if the reports were not necessary for the Administrator to carry out his functions under this Act. Authorizes the Administrator to publish a notice in the Federal Register inviting written comment on the human health and environmental effects of a chemical substance, whenever he determines that such action would be necessary. Establishes a Chemical Substances Board to give scientific advice to the Environmental Protection Agency in carrying out its functions under this Act. Provides that the Board, consisting of 12 members will be drawn from a list of individuals recommended to the Administrator by the National Academy of Sciences. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to appoint one member of the Board from whatever source he desires. Provides that the Board shall consist of qualified scientists not more than one-third of which could have a significant economic interest in the chemical industry. Directs the National Academy of Sciences, in consultation with the Board, to maintain a list of qualified scientists to assist the Administrator in carrying out the provisions of this Act and to act as consultants to the Chemical Substances Board. Authorizes the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to conduct such research and monitoring as necessary to carry out his functions under this Act. Specifies acts which are prohibited by this title. Provides civil and criminal penalties for violations of such prohibited acts. Authorizes the Administrator to issue regulations to carry out the purposes of this Act. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary, but not to exceed $6,300,000, $10,400,000, and $9,600,000 for the fiscal years ending on June 30, 1974, June 30, 1975, and June 30, 1976, respectively, for the purposes and administration of this Act. Provides that no part of the funds so authorized to be appropriated shall be used to plan, design, or construct any research laboratories unless specifically authorized by the Congress by law.

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Documents

2 official files

• Passed House amended

  summary · EN · 23 July 1973

  Open at official source

• Introduced in Senate

  summary · EN · 18 January 1973

  Open at official source

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