Lynn L. Bergeson, “Hope Is Restored In Finally Modernizing TSCA,” Law360, June 2013.

In a rare bipartisan expression of support for reform of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), Sen. David Vitter, R-La., and the late Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., introduced on May 22, 2013, the Chemical Safety Improvement Act (CSIA), S. 1009. The bill offers a new and potentially politically viable framework for TSCA reform and renewed hope that badly needed modernization of this ancient law may occur. Lawyers and others in this space need to be keenly aware of these legislative efforts as TSCA modernization will directly and significantly impact for many years to come domestic chemical manufacture, processing and use and will greatly influence the business operations of hundreds of thousands of downstream product manufacturers in the electronics, personal care products, consumer products and dozens of other business sectors dependent upon chemical suppliers for components essential to their manufacturing operations. This article reviews key elements of the bill and discusses its political prospects.