Industry leaders warn TSCA delays could curb US chemical innovation

According to the American Chemistry Council, the Toxic Substances Control Act, which governs chemical manufacturing in the United States, is hampering innovation due to prolonged EPA review periods that average more than a year instead of the mandated 90 days. Chris Jahn, the council’s president and CEO, highlighted that hundreds of chemicals await assessment, affecting sectors from automotive to healthcare and artificial intelligence.

He pointed to an ACC member that chose to produce a liquid-cooling system for advanced AI chips in France because timely U.S. approval could not be guaranteed. A congressional deadline of Sept. 30 looms for the renewal of industry fees that fund roughly a quarter of the program’s budget, and failure to act could deepen delays. Bipartisan legislators are considering changes to review timelines, scientific criteria, and real-world use evaluations. Jahn frames the issue as essential to maintaining U.S. competitiveness in global manufacturing and technology markets.