The chemical industry is sounding the alarm as Congress faces a December 11 deadline to reauthorize critical funding for the Environmental Protection Agency’s chemical safety program. In an op-ed published by Breitbart, American Chemistry Council President and CEO Chris Jahn warned that failure to secure long-term funding for the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) implementation could destabilize manufacturing supply chains across the economy.
The Stakes for American Manufacturing
Jahn emphasized that TSCA’s user fee program isn’t about the law itself expiring—Congress must specifically renew the EPA’s authority to collect industry-paid fees that fund chemical safety reviews. These assessments support the agency’s evaluation of chemicals used in everything from semiconductors to medical equipment, construction materials to vehicle components.
“A dependable chemical management system matters to every business along those supply chains,” Jahn wrote, noting that most Americans interact daily with products regulated under TSCA even if they never think about the law itself.
Industry Demands Long-Term Certainty
The ACC is pushing back against any short-term extension, arguing that manufacturers need predictability to make multi-year investments in research, equipment, and hiring. The original fee authorization established a 10-year framework, and Jahn contends anything less than a similar long-term solution now would undermine planning.
“Manufacturers plan in years; the program they depend on needs support that lasts beyond the next budget cycle,” Jahn wrote, adding that uncertainty about TSCA implementation could delay new product development and supply chain commitments.
Balancing Safety and Competitiveness
While calling for fee reauthorization, Jahn acknowledged room for improvement in TSCA implementation, stating that manufacturers and the public should expect “sound science, transparent decisions, and responsible implementation.” However, he framed the December 11 deadline as an immediate test of Congress’s commitment to both chemical safety and U.S. industrial competitiveness.
The ACC represents major chemical manufacturers who pay these user fees. Jahn urged businesses and communities that rely on American manufacturing to contact their congressional representatives about the deadline, framing the issue as vital to maintaining U.S. innovation leadership.
Source: www.breitbart.com — https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2026/11/10/congress-must-act-now-to-keep-americas-chemical-safety-program-on-solid-ground/