TSCA at Four — A Conversation with Richard E. Engler, Ph.D.

As we are now into June, Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) aficionados will be quick to note that “new TSCA” is now almost four years old.  Passage in June 2016 of the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act occasioned EPA’s implementation of a law that has transformed industrial chemical regulation in the United States.  This week, to mark Lautenberg’s fourth birthday, I sat down with Dr. Richard E. Engler, B&C’s Director of Chemistry and all-around expert on all things TSCA, to look back on what EPA stakeholders have achieved over the past four years, and to look forward to what to expect the remainder of this year and beyond.  We address the progress EPA has made in reviewing new chemical innovations, regulating existing industrial chemicals, what early challenges have been resolved, and a few of the frustrations that linger.  As a 17-year veteran of EPA’s Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics and now an extremely busy and tops in his field private consultant, Rich knows TSCA from both sides, and his insights are always spot on. Rich is a Ph.D. chemist who focuses here at B&C and our consulting affiliate, The Acta Group (Acta®), on all aspects of TSCA regulation and science policy.  In addition to his duties as a top chemist at EPA, Rich also headed EPA’s Green Chemistry Program.  Rich has reviewed more than 10,000 chemical notifications under TSCA and now is an indispensable part of our deep TSCA bench here at B&C and Acta. ALL MATERIALS IN THIS PODCAST ARE PROVIDED SOLELY FOR INFORMATIONAL  AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES. THE MATERIALS ARE NOT INTENDED TO CONSTITUTE LEGAL ADVICE OR THE PROVISION OF LEGAL SERVICES. ALL LEGAL QUESTIONS SHOULD BE ANSWERED DIRECTLY BY A LICENSED ATTORNEY PRACTICING IN THE APPLICABLE AREA OF LAW.