The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced a proposed rule to require electronic reporting for certain information submitted to the agency under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). According to the agency, the action is an important milestone in its effort to increase transparency and public access to chemical information in order to help Americans protect their health and environment. Electronic reporting will increase the speed with which the EPA can make information publicly available, increase accuracy, and provide the public with quick and easier access to chemical information.

“Administrator Lisa P. Jackson is committed to strengthening the EPA’s chemicals management program and increasing the public’s access to chemical information,” said Jim Jones, acting assistant administrator for the EPA’s Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention. “The agency is also committed to reducing reporting burdens and paper-based reporting in favor of electronic reporting. These measures will streamline the reporting process and reduce the administrative costs.”

The proposed rule would require electronic reporting rather than paper-based reporting for various TSCA actions, including submission of information relating to chemical testing, health and safety studies, and other information. When final, the EPA will only accept data, reports, and other information submitted through the EPA’s Central Data Exchange, a centralized portal that enables streamlined, electronic submission of data via the Internet. The agency will be soliciting comments on this proposed rule for 60 days. 

For more information, visit www.epa.gov/oppt/chemtest.