SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association Applauds House of Representatives for Approving TSCA Reform

June 23, 2015

WASHINGTON—The U.S. House of Representatives advanced H.R. 2576, the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Modernization Act of 2015 Tuesday by a vote of 398-1. William R. Carteaux, president and CEO of SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association, made the following remarks after the vote:

“For several years, SPI and its industry partners have worked diligently in support of legislative reforms to update the nation’s chemical regulatory system. Tonight, after the House’s approval of H.R. 2576, the TSCA Modernization Act of 2015, we are now closer than ever to seeing those efforts bear fruit in the form of a 21st-century regulatory infrastructure for chemicals in commerce that will enable regulators to ensure public safety without placing an undue burden on industry.

“The world is a different place than it was when the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) was first enacted in 1976. The plastics industry has seen amazing growth and transformation in size and sophistication over the last four decades, but TSCA has remained largely unchanged. By approving H.R. 2576, the House of Representatives has taken a big step in the right direction, toward a regulatory regime that protects consumers without making the plastics industry comply with regulations that are redundant or based on outdated science.

“This legislation would provide the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with appropriate tools to manage the thousands of chemicals in commerce today while providing consumers with the confidence in the products the plastics industry brings to market every day. H.R. 2576 would also preempt states from taking further regulatory action on a chemical beyond action taken by the EPA, an important protection against the possibility of facing 50 different state regulatory systems.

“SPI and the entire $380-billion U.S. plastics industry applaud the House for its bipartisan effort to fix our nation’s woefully outdated chemical law. We look forward to working with our colleagues in the Senate to move that body’s legislation across the finish line.”

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Founded in 1937, SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association promotes growth in the $427 billion U.S. plastics industry. Representing nearly one million American workers in the third largest U.S. manufacturing industry, SPI delivers legislative and regulatory advocacy, market research, industry promotion and the fostering of business relationships and zero waste strategies. SPI also owns and produces the international NPE trade show. All profits from NPE are reinvested into SPI’s industry services. Find SPI online at www.plasticsindustry.org and www.inthehopper.org.

"From resin suppliers and equipment makers to processors and brand owners, SPI is proud to represent all facets of the U.S. plastics industry," said William R. Carteaux, president and CEO, SPI. "Our most recent economic reports show that the plastics industry as a whole is resilient, and has come through the recession significantly better than other U.S. manufacturing sectors."