What is the purpose of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)?

The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) is primarily designed to regulate the introduction of new or existing chemicals into the marketplace. Its main goal is to ensure that chemicals are assessed for potential risks to human health and the environment before they can be manufactured or imported. Under TSCA, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has the authority to require reporting, record-keeping, and testing requirements for chemical substances, as well as to impose restrictions or bans on substances found to pose unreasonable risks. This regulatory framework helps protect public health and the environment from the potential dangers posed by toxic substances, ensuring careful consideration of their impacts prior to their entry into commerce. By focusing on regulation, TSCA aims to prevent harmful chemicals from being freely introduced into the economy without adequate assessment.