NPRA: Chemical Safety Laws Must Protect Public, Foster Economic Growth

WASHINGTON, Feb. 3, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- NPRA, the National Petrochemical & Refiners Association, emphasized the need for chemical safety laws that ensure the protection of the public while encouraging American innovation and economic growth in written testimony submitted today to a congressional panel.

The association's statement was given to the Senate Subcommittee on Superfund, Toxics and Environmental Health as the panel held a hearing to discuss the effectiveness of U.S. chemical safety laws.

"There is nothing more important to NPRA's members than the safety of the products they produce," NPRA stated in its testimony. "Our industry supports the reasonable modernization of our chemical safety laws, such as the Toxic Substances Control Act, but we also believe that any modernization must be tiered, targeted, and risk-based.

"Furthermore, chemical regulation modernization must take into consideration domestic innovation, the ease of entry into the marketplace, American competitiveness, and information protection."

The Toxic Substances Control Act, enacted in 1976, provides the Environmental Protection Agency authority to regulate chemicals in commerce. Past legislative attempts to modify the law have been unsuccessful, but such legislation is expected to be introduced in Congress again this year.

"For generations, the United States has been one of the most economically productive countries in the world. America has long been a world leader in innovation and technology, and our laws should foster this innovation rather than impeding it by giving advantages to our foreign competitors. It is pivotal that any chemical regulation program protect human health and the environment while at the same time promoting innovation, economic growth, and American competitiveness in the global marketplace."

"NPRA supports the sound, science-based modernization of our nation's chemical safety laws. However, we urge Congress to be mindful of the need to preserve those areas of regulation that work well while striving to improve the areas that are lacking."

SOURCE National Petrochemical & Refiners Association

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