TSCA, Toxic Substances Control Act

The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), enacted in 1976 , authorizes the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to impose reporting, record-keeping, and testing requirements and restrictions on chemical substances and mixtures. However, certain substances, including food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and pesticides, are generally not covered by this law. Primarily, the law addresses the production, import, use, and disposal of specific chemicals, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), asbestos, radon, and lead-based paint.

To protect human health and the environment, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) operates to ensure compliance with laws and regulations in the manufacture, import, processing, trading, use or disposal of chemicals. The main legislation governing chemicals is the toxic substances control act (TSCA).

The law in question consists of the following main topics and EPA monitors the compliance of operations in these main program areas:

• Title I - Control of toxic substances
• Title II - Asbestos hazard emergency response
• Title III - Indoor radon reduction
• Title IV - Lead exposure reduction
• Title V - Healthy high-performing schools
• Title VI - Formaldehyde standards for composite wood products

TSCA delegates the following powers to the EPA:

• Gather basic information about chemical risks from companies that produce or process chemicals
• Require these companies to test chemicals and mixtures for toxic effects
• Reviewing most new chemicals before they are produced
• Avoiding unreasonable risks by regulating chemicals and mixtures, from hazard warning labels to the complete ban on the manufacture, processing, commercial distribution or use of certain chemicals and mixtures

The following six chemicals receive special attention under the TSCA toxic substances control act: polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), asbestos, radon, lead, formaldehyde, and mercury. The following eight types of materials are also generally exempt from TSCA's regulatory authorities: pesticides, tobacco, certain nuclear materials, firearms and ammunition, food, food additives, drugs and cosmetics. Many of these materials are contained in other legal regulations.

Among the numerous test, measurement, analysis and evaluation studies it provides for businesses in various sectors, our organization also provides necessary testing services within the scope of TSCA, toxic substances control law, with its trained and expert staff and advanced technological equipment.