As part of Administrator Lisa P. Jackson’s commitment to strengthen and reform chemical management, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is proposing several actions to improve reporting on chemicals under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), according to an EPA press release. The Inventory Update Reporting Rule enables EPA to collect and make current information on volumes of chemical production, manufacturing facility data, and how the chemicals are used. This information helps the agency determine whether chemicals may pose risks to people or the environment. In addition to enhancing the information to be reported, EPA is proposing to increase the frequency of reporting.

“Enhanced reporting on the production and use of chemicals will help give the American people greater access to information on the chemicals to which their children and families are exposed every day,” said Steve Owens, EPA’s assistant administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention. “The proposal being announced today will allow the agency to more effectively and expeditiously identify and address potential chemical risks and improve the information available to the public on chemicals most commonly used in commerce.”

The proposed rule would require manufacturers, including importers, to submit information electronically, which will help the agency to make the data public more quickly. The proposed rule also would limit the information that can be treated as confidential so the public can access it, and require more reporting from chemical manufacturers.

This proposal will undergo public comment, which EPA will use to develop the final rule and guidance documents. EPA expects to finalize the modifications to the chemical information reporting rule in time for the next reporting period, scheduled for June 1 - Sept.30, 2011. EPA will make the electronic reporting software and associated guidance materials available before the start of the submission period.

In addition to the proposed rule on chemical reporting, EPA is seeking public comment on a draft guidance document on chemical information reporting and on specific documents relating to the reporting of chemical byproducts.

To submit comments on the proposed rule and the guidance document, see docket EPA–HQ–OPPT–2009-0187: http://www.regulations.gov.

For more information about the TSCA Inventory Update Reporting program and the IUR Modifications proposed rule, visit www.epa.gov/iur.