Obama Signs Chemical Safety Act Into Law

Date: June 23, 2016

Law’s Passage Hailed As Rare Bipartisan Compromise

An update to the 1976 Toxic Substances Control Act, which Congress passed last month, was signed this week by President Obama. The AP notes that this was “the first major overhaul of toxic chemicals rules in 40 years,” and says that the updated law is “proof that Washington can function despite intense polarization.” The President “praised both chemicals industry groups and environmentalists alike for finding consensus despite their usual differences of opinion.” He said, “If we can get this bill done, it means somewhere out there on the horizon, we can make our politics less toxic as well.” USA Today says the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act was touted by Obama as “a rare example of bipartisanship from a Congress widely seen as unable to agree on much of anything.” The Washington Times says that “more than a dozen lawmakers from both parties” joined the President for the culmination of the “unexpected bipartisan achievement in an election year.” The Hill says the new law “promises to completely revamp the way the federal government oversees thousands of potentially toxic chemicals sold to millions of Americans every day in common products.” Obama stated the act “will make it easier for the EPA to review chemicals that are already on the market, as well as the new chemicals our scientists and businesses design.” The Hill notes the legislation has support from the business groups as well as health and safety groups.

What This Means For Small Businesses

Small businesses know the dangers of granting government agencies, particularly the EPA, sweeping regulatory powers. However, this measure reduces regulatory uncertainty that businesses face, making it a rare example of government and industry working to consider the best interests of consumers and businesses.

Additional Reading

E&E Publishing and the Christian Science Monitor are among the additional outlets covering the story.

Note: this article is intended to keep small business owners up on the latest news. It does not necessarily represent the policy stances of NFIB.

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