(WASHINGTON) January 8, 2026 – The American Chemistry Council (ACC) today emphasized before the U.S. House Committee on Science, Space and Technology that Congress plays a critical role to bolstering U.S. competitiveness in chemical innovation and manufacturing. ACC urged lawmakers to support a science-first approach to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ongoing implementation of the 2016 Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) amendments and in the agency’s chemical assessment programs.
National defense, energy independence, innovation and a resilient supply chain all depend on chemistry. U.S. chemical producers are the driving force for everyday products that businesses and families rely on and help manufacturers compete and win globally. However, in testimony delivered at this morning’s hearing, Charlotte Bertrand, ACC’s senior director of chemical management, regulatory policy & strategy, warned lawmakers that EPA’s growing reliance on precautionary and conservative assumptions, absent real-world exposure data, is fueling regulatory uncertainty and deterring domestic investment in chemical innovation and manufacturing.
“These scientific and policy underpinnings, if not re-evaluated, could limit innovation, affect the U.S.’s competitive advantage, impact American jobs, and give foreign competitors, especially China, an opportunity to capture an even larger share of the global market,” Bertrand told the committee.
Dr. Kimberly Wise White, Ph.D., ACC’s vice president for regulatory and scientific affairs, stressed that restoring trust in science and applying scientific rigor to TSCA implementation is imperative for not only producing more at home, but also for making America stronger, healthier and more affordable for its citizens.
“Sound, transparent science-driven approaches are vital in chemical evaluations that impact supply chains and long-term investment decisions,” Dr. White said. “Unfortunately, more Americans lack trust in science. When regulatory decisions are driven by hazard-only assessments that lack real-world context, they undermine regulatory durability and discourage domestic innovation. A science-first, risk-based approach is critical to strengthening domestic manufacturing and maintaining U.S. global competitiveness.”
ACC has advocated for Congress to exercise its oversight authority and pursue targeted reforms that ensure chemical assessments used in regulatory decision-making meet rigorous scientific, procedural, and transparency standards, and that TSCA implementation delivers predictable, durable outcomes consistent with congressional intent.
“America’s success relies on American chemistry,” said Chris Jahn, ACC’s president and CEO. “If we want the next generation of semiconductors, AI, and advanced technologies made in the United States, Congress must put science first and provide a regulatory framework that encourages investment here at home.”
“President Trump and the EPA are working to make America healthier and more affordable. Now we need Congress to help America win the global innovation race and ensure the best available science is used to help make the U.S. a manufacturing superpower, Jahn added.”
