FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Brian Sansoni, 202-662-2517 / 202-680-9327 or bsansoni@cleaning101.com

EPA Announcement “Gets the Ball Rolling” on Updating Chemical Regulation, Says SDA

WASHINGTON, D.C., September 29, 2009 – Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa Jackson just announced principles for a much-needed update of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), the principal federal law governing the management of chemicals in commerce in the United States.

“This really gets the ball rolling,” said Ernie Rosenberg, President & CEO of The Soap and Detergent Association (SDA - www.cleaning101.com), which represents the U.S. cleaning products industry.

“Cleaning product makers and their suppliers want to ensure that there is public confidence in the system that governs the use and management of the ingredients in our products. Knowing EPA’s priorities and having the Agency’s expert engagement in the development of TSCA amendments create the conditions for what we hope will be a positive bipartisan process that should be supported by all stakeholder groups concerned with updating TSCA,” added Rosenberg, a former manager in EPA’s toxic substances program.

In previous comments to Congress, SDA and other allied groups said that improvements to TSCA should recognize changes in science and technology, establish deadlines for review of priority chemicals, ensure that EPA has timely and adequate information on use and exposure, leverage ingredient or chemical management programs undertaken by other nations and international forums, promote innovation, and integrate the patchwork quilt of laws governing chemical safety.

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The Soap and Detergent Association (www.cleaning101.com), the Home of the U.S. Cleaning Products Industry®, represents the $30 billion U.S. cleaning products market. SDA members include the formulators of soaps, detergents, and general cleaning products used in household, commercial, industrial and institutional settings; companies that supply ingredients and finished packaging for these products; and oleochemical producers. SDA and its members are dedicated to improving health and the quality of life through sustainable cleaning products and practices.