"The EPA’s decisions about whether new chemicals can be produced remain inconsistent despite improvements the agency has made, the agency’s inspector general said in a report urging further efforts.
Standard operating procedures and improved training materials, and updated policies would help the Environmental Protection Agency’s staff be more consistent and transparent as they decide whether a new chemical can be made in or imported into the US for the first time, the EPA’s internal watchdog said.
Such changes also would address concerns raised by manufacturers that seek to make new chemicals available for new technologies and other purposes, and the public that wants to weigh in on the EPA’s decisions.
The report highlighted staff increasing, better recordkeeping, and other progress the EPA has made during the Biden administration. But it urged the EPA to improve its procedures including identifying causes of frequent technical issues."
Pat Rizzuto reports for Bloomberg Environment August 2, 2023.
Advertisement 
