ACC Welcomes House Passage of Science Advisory Board Reform Bill

WASHINGTON (March 30, 2017) – The American Chemistry Council (ACC) today issued the following statement welcoming passage of H.R. 1431 ‘‘EPA Science Advisory Board Reform Act of 2017” introduced by Congressman Frank Lucas (R-OK).

“We are pleased the House today passed H.R. 1431, the Science Advisory Board Reform Act of 2017; Congressman Lucas is to be commended for his leadership and commitment to increase the transparency and public confidence in the EPA’s peer review panels. The Science Advisory Board Reform Act would strengthen the peer review process – a critical component of the scientific process used by EPA in their regulatory decisions about potential risks to human health or the environment. The Act would make peer reviewers accountable for responding to public comment, strengthen policies to address conflicts of interest, ensure engagement of a wide range of perspectives of qualified scientific experts in EPA's scientific peer review panels and increase transparency in peer review reports. 

“We urge the Senate to take up the bill and are committed to working with Congress to advance legislation that will enhance accountability and ensure appropriate balance in EPA’s peer review process.”