E.P.A. Suggests Rule to Require Electronic Reporting for Chemical Information

WASHINGTON- The E.P.A. (EPA) has announced a suggested rule to require electronic reporting for certain information submitted to the agency under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).The action is an important milestone in the agency's 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 E.P.A. 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 EPA's chemicals management plan and increasing the public's access to chemical information," said Jim Jones, acting assistant administrator for 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."

Today's suggested 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, E.P.A. will only accept data, reports, and other information submitted through 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 suggested rule for 60 days.

Over the coming months, the agency will offer a number of opportunities for potential users to become familiar with the new requirements. These opportunities will include an initial webinar to introduce the web-based electronic reporting tool, follow-up webinars and testing of specific applications, and opportunities for submitters and others to provide feedback to the agency on their experiences using the tool before its release.

For more information on the suggested rule: http://www.epa.gov/oppt/chemtest/pubs/SIGNED_eTSCA_NPRM_FRdocument_2012-03-30.pdf

For more information on OPPT's increasing transparency efforts: http://www.epa.gov/oppt/existingchemicals/pubs/transparency.html

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