Lynn L. Bergeson, “TSCA Reform: The New State of Play,” Environmental Quality Management, Winter 2013.

In a game-changing bipartisan show of support for reform of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) that few saw coming, United States (US) Senators David Vitter (R-LA) and the late Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ)—among bipartisan others—introduced on May 22, 2013, the Chemical Safety Improvement Act (CSIA), later designated Senate Bill 1009 (S.1009). CSIA provides a new and streamlined approach to reforming TSCA that stakeholders may view favorably when compared to legislative templates that have been considered previously by the Senate and the House of Representatives. This Washington Watch column summarizes key aspects of the bill and identifies issues and areas where further clarification is needed. This summary is not meant to be exhaustive, but it illustrates some of the challenges that lie ahead for the legislation notwithstanding its initial burst of public and bipartisan support.