The majority of Americans support assurances that chemicals in their homes, communities, and products are safe. Survey after survey shows that people expect the government to make sure that chemicals around them will not hurt them.
Unfortunately, this has not yet been achieved.
The chemicals safety laws of the US have gaps, loopholes, and flaws. Some of these have been improved over the years, while others have not. Improvements come when the people demand them.
The Toxic Substances Control Act was supposed to ensure that chemicals were safe, starting in the 1970s. Though some important actions are being taken, it should be stronger. In 2016, it was amended to require that chemicals be reviewed and approved by EPA before they could be imported and manufactured.
Now the Republican leadership in the US Congress has proposals to change the law to make chemicals more dangerous.
We at the Toxics Team are working with others to oppose this and to lay the groundwork to strengthen chemicals laws in the future.
Daniel Savery from Earthjustice presented a special briefing for Sierra Club volunteers at the end of April about the rollbacks of the Toxic Substances Control Act. You can see the recording of his presentation on youtube at this link
Information about the Republican proposals now under discussion:
A Legislative Hearing to Examine a Discussion Draft, S.__ the Toxic Substances Control Act Fee Reauthorization and Improvement Act of 2026 held on March 4, 2026. A recording is posted at this link: https://www.epw.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2026/3/a-legislative-hearing-to-examine-a-discussion-draft-s-the-toxic-substances-control-act-fee-reauthorization-and-improvement-act-of-2026
Trump’s policies on toxic chemicals fail all of us — including MAHA by Judith Enck, opinion contributor. The Hill. 03/20/26 https://thehill.com/opinion/healthcare/5788309-house-republicans-weaken-tsca/
This is how the House Republicans’ proposal to weaken the Toxic Substances Control Act hamstrings EPA’s ability to protect us from the worst toxic chemicals already on the market. February 26, 2026. Maria Doa. Environmental Defense Fund. https://blogs.edf.org/health/2026/02/26/this-is-how-the-house-republicans-proposal-to-weaken-the-toxic-substances-control-act-hamstrings-epas-ability-to-protect-us-from-the-worst-toxic-chemicals-already-on-the-market/
Why weakening the Toxic Substances Control Act could put complex toxic chemicals on a fast track to our communities. July 7, 2026 by Maria Doa. Environmental Defense Fund. https://blogs.edf.org/health/2026/07/07/why-weakening-the-toxic-substances-control-act-could-put-complex-toxic-chemicals-on-a-fast-track-to-our-communities/
Industry perspectives
Coalition Urges Congress to Improve TSCA and Support EPA Resources. by David Hutton. March 19, 2026. Plastics Today. A coalition of industry leaders, including the American Chemistry Council and Plastics Industry Association, is calling on Congress to amend the Toxic Substances Control Act, and reauthorize EPA’s fee authority. https://www.plasticstoday.com/legislation-regulations/coalition-urges-congress-to-improve-tsca-and-support-epa-resources
Action Alert from Earthjustice:
Tell Congress: Our children have a right to live in toxic-free environments
https://earthjustice.org/action/tell-congress-our-children-have-a-right-to-live-in-toxic-free-environments?ms=web