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A Look at Why We Need to Modernize President & CEO, CartBy Chris Cath TSCA association (CsPa)pecialty ProductssConsumer R Majority Leader Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), consistent and effective regulation of chemicals in thethe safety of chemicals used in commerce to formulatepopular products. Second, we must address the need forecently, CSPA staff and representatives fromour member companies met with Assistant who is the second-ranking Democrat in the U.S. Senate. 50 states. Third, we need to provide global leadership His first question to us was whether or not we had read on behalf of U.S. companies to establish a risk-based the Chicago Tribune series—“Chemical Companies, approach to chemical regulation. Each of these factors is Big Tobacco & the Toxic Products in Your Home.” We critical to us in the process to modernize TSCA. responded that we had read the series, and pointed out Consumers rely on household products every day that we did not feel that it reflects our sector of the to improve their lives and manage their environment industry or the chemical industry as a whole. I have efficiently and effectively. We live in an environmentally been involved with the chemical industry for most conscious world that values sustainability, transparency of my career, and strongly believe that the industry is and healthy living. Consumers want to know their responsible and constructive when it comes to chemical household products are safe for their family—as well as safety. We pointed out to Senator Durbin that customers for the environment. Our industry takes the responsibility of household and institutional products rely on our of product safety and performance very seriously. We also member companies’ products to improve their quality of recognize that this includes providing consumers—and life and protect human health. the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)— When natural disaster strikes—such as the recent with more information on the chemicals we use in damage caused by Hurricane Sandy in the Northeast our products. CSPA is committed to providing this and Hurricane Isaac in the Gulf Coast region—our information in a way that addresses consumer concerns industry steps forward to provide products that help about chemical safety, and maximizes public access to communities recover and, most importantly, protect the information, while also protecting the ability of companies public health. Clean-up efforts rely on antimicrobials to to innovate and protect proprietary and confidential fight mold, sanitize facilities and disinfect water. Insect business information. repellants are needed to guard against insect borne Companies must be able to bring innovative, new disease, such as West Nile Virus. Our member companies products to the marketplace. CSPA has consistently are understandably proud of the products they make, and called for TSCA legislation that will strengthen a federal stand by their safety and efficacy. program for chemicals management rather than create So, when I think about the Toxic Substances Control a patchwork of state laws. It is extremely difficult and Act (TSCA), the 36-year-old law providing the EPA costly—if not impossible—for a company to manufacture authority to regulate chemical safety in the U.S., and and market products that are subject to inconsistent that the Chicago Tribune stated consumer specialty regulation across the states. A robust federal system products do not protect human health and the will reduce the need for chemical regulation by states, environment, I focus on what must happen to modernize allowing them to focus on specific and priority needs TSCA. Three fundamental factors drive CSPA and our in their communities, and ensure that consumers and member companies to remain steadfast in our call for an businesses using our products are provided the same level updated TSCA statute. of access and safety in all 50 states. First, we need to strengthen consumer confidence in Finally, CSPA believes that a science and risk-based December 2012 Spray 31


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