Reform of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) may be a little closer to reality since Rep. John Shimkus (R-IL), Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy, released on February 27, 2014, a much anticipated discussion draft that would update TSCA. The Chemicals in Commerce Act (CICA) keys off of Senate Bill (S.) 1009, the Chemical Safety Improvement Act (CSIA), which was introduced on May 22, 2013, by late Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Sen. David Vitter (R-LA). Under Shimkus’s leadership, the Subcommittee has held five hearings that reviewed core sections of Title I of TSCA and the proposed Senate amendments to those sections. This column provides an overview of the discussion draft of the new, not-yet-numbered House bill, the CICA, and compares its key provisions with the Senate’s approach to TSCA reform under S. 1009.

Section 2: Findings -

The findings in the CICA generally align with those in the CSIA. The CICA limits provisions in this section to “findings” and “purpose.” It does not offer statements of “intent” or “policy” as was done in TSCA and the CSIA...