Statement

ACC Phthalate Esters Panel Comments on Obama Administration's Principles for Chemicals Management Reform

ARLINGTON, VA (October 1) – At a speech to the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco, CA, this week, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa Jackson introduced the Administration’s principles for modernization of the nation’s Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).  Administrator Jackson’s earlier remarks included comments specific to phthalate esters, a family of compounds primarily used as plasticizers to soften vinyl.  She said that EPA would develop specific action plans for phthalates. 

ACC senior director of the Phthalate Esters Panel, Steve Risotto, issued the following statement:

“Phthalates have been reviewed by multiple regulatory agencies in the U.S. and abroad and are one of the most extensively studied groups of chemical compounds.  Phthalates provide many product and consumer benefits – public health, performance, and function – and are used in many important applications for these reasons, from recreational and safety equipment to building and construction materials.  ACC will continue to provide robust information in a transparent manner on the chemicals we produce and demonstrate the sound science behind the safety profile of our products.

“We welcome the opportunity to work with EPA as it produces action plans to review available data.  We will continue to work with the Administration, Congress, and consumer and environmental groups to advance reform that will promote public confidence in the safety of our products.”

For additional ACC information on EPA’s announcement please visit:  www.americanchemistry.com/10256

Learn more about phthalates.