Coalition Urges Single Federal Standard for Chemical Safety
Industry groups ask the EPA and OSHA to align workplace chemical rules and eliminate duplicative standards.
A coalition of 75 business and industry organizations has called on federal regulators to streamline chemical safety rules in American workplaces.
In a joint letter to leadership at the Environmental Protection Agency, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Office of Management and Budget, the coalition requested a single, unified framework for occupational chemical regulation.
The group, led by the American Chemistry Council, stated that current regulatory practices under the Toxic Substances Control Act create overlapping requirements between the EPA and OSHA. According to the letter, having two separate federal entities set different safety obligations for the same chemical in the same workplace causes operational confusion without enhancing employee protections.
Lawmakers previously addressed potential regulatory overlap in House Report 119-215, directing the EPA to update its formal agreement with OSHA to clarify each agency’s specific authority.
To resolve the friction, the coalition recommended four primary actions:
- Establish a unified federal standard for occupational chemical safety.
- Enhance interagency coordination between the EPA and OSHA.
- Align regulatory duties with each agency’s specific areas of expertise.
- Eliminate redundant or conflicting rules at the facility level.
Coalition representatives stated they remain ready to work alongside both agencies to build a more durable, coordinated regulatory system.
About the Author
Jesse Jacobs is Assistant Editor of EPOnline.com.