1246.14 Attachment A

Toxic Substances Control Act
15 U.S.C. §§2601-2692
Subchapter I—Control of Toxic Substances
Sec.

§ 2601

§ 2602
§ 2603

§ 2604

§ 2605

§ 2606

§ 2607

§ 2608

[TSCA §2]
Findings, policy, and intent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(a) Findings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(b) Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(c) Intent of Congress. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[TSCA §3]
Definitions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[TSCA §4]
Testing of chemical substances and mixtures . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(a) Testing requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(b) Testing requirement rule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(c) Exemption. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(d) Notice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(e) Priority list . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(f) Required actions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(g) Petition for standards for the development of test data . . . . . .
[TSCA §5]
Manufacturing and processing notices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(a) In general . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(b) Submission of test data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(c) Extension of notice period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(d) Content of notice; publications in the Federal Register. . . . . .
(e) Regulation pending development of information . . . . . . . . .
(f) Protection against unreasonable risks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(g) Statement of reasons for not taking action . . . . . . . . . . . .
(h) Exemptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(i) “Manufacture” and “process” defined . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[TSCA §6]
Regulation of hazardous chemical substances and mixtures . . . . . .
(a) Scope of regulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(b) Quality control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(c) Promulgation of subsection (a) rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(d) Effective date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(e) Polychlorinated biphenyls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[TSCA §7]
Imminent hazards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(a) Actions authorized and required . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(b) Relief authorized . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(c) Venue and consolidation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(d) Action under section 2605 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(e) Representation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(f) “Imminently hazardous chemical substance or mixture” defined
[TSCA §8]
Reporting and retention of information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(a) Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(b) Inventory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(c) Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(d) Health and safety studies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(e) Notice to Administrator of substantial risks . . . . . . . . . . .
(f) “Manufacture” and “process” defined . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[TSCA §9]
Relationship to other Federal laws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(a) Laws not administered by the Administrator . . . . . . . . . . .
(b) Laws administered by the Administrator . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(c) Occupational safety and health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(d) Coordination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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1031
1031
1031
1031

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1032
1032
1032
1033
1034
1034
1035
1035

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1035
1035
1035
1036
1036
1036
1037
1037
1037
1038

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1038
1038
1039
1039
1040
1040

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1041
1041
1041
1041
1041
1041
1041

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1042
1042
1042
1042
1042
1043
1043

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1043
1043
1043
1044
1044
1025

ENVIRONMENTAL LAW DESKBOOK

§ 2609

§ 2610

§ 2611

§ 2612

§ 2613

§ 2614
§ 2615

§ 2616

§ 2617

§ 2618

§ 2619

§ 2620

1026

[TSCA §10]
Research, development, collection, dissemination, and utilization of data .
(a) Authority . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(b) Data systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(c) Screening techniques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(d) Monitoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(e) Basic research . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(f) Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(g) Exchange of research and development results . . . . . . . . . . . .
[TSCA §11]
Inspections and subpoenas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(a) In general . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(b) Scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(c) Subpoenas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[TSCA §12]
Exports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(a) In general . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(b) Notice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[TSCA §13]
Entry into customs territory of the United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(a) In general . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(b) Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[TSCA §14]
Disclosure of data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(a) In general . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(b) Data from health and safety studies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(c) Designation and release of confidential data . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(d) Criminal penalty for wrongful disclosure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(e) Access by Congress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[TSCA §15]
Prohibited acts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[TSCA §16]
Penalties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(a) Civil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(b) Criminal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[TSCA §17]
Specific enforcement and seizure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(a) Specific enforcement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(b) Seizure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[TSCA §18]
Preemption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(a) Effect on State law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(b) Exemption. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[TSCA §19]
Judicial review. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(a) In general . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(b) Additional submissions and presentations; modifications . . . . . .
(c) Standard of review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(d) Fees and costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(e) Other remedies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[TSCA §20]
Citizens’ civil actions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(a) In general . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(b) Limitation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(c) General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(d) Consolidation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[TSCA §21]
Citizens’ petitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(a) In general . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(b) Procedures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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1044
1044
1044
1044
1044
1044
1044
1044

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1044
1044
1045
1045

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1045
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1045
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1045
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1045
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1045
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1045
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1045
1045
1046
1046
1046
1046

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1046
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1047
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1047
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1047
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1047
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1047
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1047
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1047
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1047
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1048
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1048
1048
1048
1048
1049
1049

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1049
1049
1049
1049
1049

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1049
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1049
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1049

TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT

§ 2621
§ 2622

§ 2623

§ 2624

§ 2625

§ 2626

§ 2627

§ 2628
§ 2629

[TSCA §22]
National defense waiver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[TSCA §23]
Employee protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(a) In general . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(b) Remedy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(c) Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(d) Enforcement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(e) Exclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[TSCA §24]
Employment effects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(a) In general . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(b) Investigations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[TSCA §25]
Studies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(a) Indemnification study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(b) Classification, storage, and retrieval study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[TSCA §26]
Administration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(a) Cooperation of Federal agencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(b) Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(c) Action with respect to categories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(d) Assistance office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(e) Financial disclosures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(f) Statement of basis and purpose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(g) Assistant Administrator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[TSCA §27]
Development and evaluation of test methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(a) In general . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(b) Approval by Secretary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(c) Repealed. Pub. L. 104-66, Sec. 1061(a), Dec. 21, 1995, 109 Stat. 719.
[TSCA §28]
State programs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(a) In general . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(b) Approval by Administrator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(c) Annual reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(d) Authorization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[TSCA §29]
Authorization of appropriations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[TSCA §30]
Annual report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1050
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1050
1050
1050
1050
1050
1050

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1051
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1051
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1051
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1051
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1051
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1051
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1051
1051
1051
1051
1052
1052
1052
1052

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1052
1052
1052
1052

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1053
1053
1053
1053
1053

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1053
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1053

Subchapter II—Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response
§ 2641

§ 2642
§ 2643

[TSCA §201]
Congressional findings and purpose . . . . . . . .
(a) Findings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(b) Purpose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[TSCA §202]
Definitions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[TSCA §203]
EPA regulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(a) In general . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(b) Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(c) Circumstances requiring response actions . .
(d) Response actions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(e) Implementation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(f) Operations and maintenance . . . . . . . . .
(g) Periodic surveillance . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(h) Transportation and disposal. . . . . . . . . .
(i) Management plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(j) Changes in regulations . . . . . . . . . . . .
(k) Changes in guidance document . . . . . . . .
(l) Treatment of Department of Defense schools

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1054
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1054
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1054
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1054
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1055
1055
1055
1055
1055
1056
1056
1056
1056
1056
1057
1057
1057
1027

ENVIRONMENTAL LAW DESKBOOK

§ 2644

§ 2645

§ 2646

§ 2647

§ 2648

§ 2649

§ 2650

§ 2651

§ 2652

§ 2653
§ 2654
§ 2655

1028

(m) Waiver. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[TSCA §204]
Requirements if EPA fails to promulgate regulations . . . . . . . .
(a) In general . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(b) Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(c) Operation and maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(d) Management plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(e) Building occupant protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(f) Transportation and disposal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[TSCA §205]
Submission to State Governor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(a) Submission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(b) Governor requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(c) Management plan review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(d) Deferral of submission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(e) Status reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[TSCA §206]
Contractor and laboratory accreditation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(a) Contractor accreditation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(b) Accreditation by State. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(c) Accreditation by Administrator-approved course . . . . . .
(d) Laboratory accreditation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(e) Financial assistance contingent on use of accredited persons
(f) List of EPA-approved courses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[TSCA §207]
Enforcement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(a) Penalties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(b) Relationship to subchapter I of this chapter . . . . . . . . .
(c) Enforcement considerations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(d) Citizen complaints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(e) Citizen petitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(f) Citizen civil actions with respect to EPA regulations . . . .
(g) Failure to attain accreditation; penalty . . . . . . . . . . . .
[TSCA §208]
Emergency authority . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(a) Emergency action . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(b) Injunctive relief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[TSCA §209]
State and Federal law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(a) No preemption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(b) Cost and damage awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(c) State may establish more requirements . . . . . . . . . . . .
(d) No Federal cause of action . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(e) Intent of Congress. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[TSCA §210]
Asbestos contractors and local educational agencies . . . . . . . .
(a) Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(b) State action . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[TSCA §211]
Public protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(a) Public protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(b) Labor Department review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[TSCA §212]
Asbestos Ombudsman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(a) Appointment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(b) Duties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[TSCA §213]
EPA study of asbestos-containing material in public buildings . . .
[TSCA §214]
Transitional rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[TSCA §215]
Worker protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(a) Prohibition on certain activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1057
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1057
1057
1057
1057
1057
1058
1058

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1058
1058
1058
1058
1058
1059

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1059
1059
1059
1060
1060
1060
1060

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1061
1061
1061
1061
1061
1061
1061
1062

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1062
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1062
1062
1062
1062
1062
1062

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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1063
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1063
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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1063
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1063

TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT

§ 2656

(b) Employee training and equipment
(c) “Emergency repair” defined . . .
[TSCA §216]
Training grants . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(a) Grants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(b) Authorization . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1063
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1064
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1064
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1064
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1064

Subchapter III—Indoor Radon Abatement
§ 2661
§ 2662
§ 2663

§ 2664
§ 2665

§ 2666

§ 2667

§ 2668

§ 2669

[TSCA §301]
National goal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[TSCA §302]
Definitions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[TSCA §303]
EPA Citizen’s Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(a) Publication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(b) Information included . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[TSCA §304]
Model construction standards and techniques. . . . . . .
[TSCA §305]
Technical assistance to States for radon programs . . . .
(a) Required activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(b) Discretionary assistance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(c) Information provided to professional organizations
(d) Proficiency rating program and training seminar . .
(e) Authorization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[TSCA §306]
Grant assistance to States for radon programs . . . . . .
(a) In general . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(b) Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(c) Eligible activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(d) Preference to certain States . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(e) Priority activities and projects . . . . . . . . . . .
(f) Federal share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(g) Assistance to local governments . . . . . . . . . .
(h) Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(i) Limitations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(j) Authorization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[TSCA §307]
Radon in schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(a) Study of radon in schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(b) Authorization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[TSCA §308]
Regional radon training centers . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(a) Funding program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(b) Purpose of centers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(c) Applications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(d) Selection criteria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(e) Termination of funding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(f) Authorization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[TSCA §309]
Study of radon in Federal buildings . . . . . . . . . . . .
(a) Study requirement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(b) High-risk Federal buildings . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(c) Study designs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(d) Information on risks and testing . . . . . . . . . .
(e) Study deadline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(f) Report to Congress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1065
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1065
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1065
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1065
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1065
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1065
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1066
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1067
1067
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1067
1067
1067
1067
1068
1068

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1068
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1068
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1068
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1068
1068
1068
1069
1069
1069
1069

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1069
1069
1069
1069
1069
1069
1069
1029

ENVIRONMENTAL LAW DESKBOOK

§ 2670
§ 2671

[TSCA §310]
Regulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1069
[TSCA §311]
Additional authorizations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1069

Subchapter IV—Lead Exposure Reduction
§ 2681
§ 2682

§ 2683
§ 2684

§ 2685

§ 2686

§ 2687
§ 2688
§ 2689
§ 2690
§ 2691

§ 2692
1030

[TSCA §401]
Definitions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[TSCA §402]
Lead-based paint activities training and certification . . .
(a) Regulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(b) Lead-based paint activities . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(c) Renovation and remodeling. . . . . . . . . . . . .
[TSCA §403]
Identification of dangerous levels of lead . . . . . . . . .
[TSCA §404]
Authorized state programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(a) Approval . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(b) Approval or disapproval . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(c) Withdrawal of authorization . . . . . . . . . . . .
(d) Model state program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(e) Other state requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(f) State and local certification . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(g) Grants to states . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(h) Enforcement by Administrator . . . . . . . . . . .
[TSCA §405]
Lead abatement and measurement . . . . . . . . . . . .
(a) Program to promote lead exposure abatement . . .
(b) Standards for environmental sampling laboratories
(c) Exposure studies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(d) Public education. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(e) Technical assistance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(f) Products for lead-based paint activities . . . . . . .
[TSCA §406]
Lead hazard information pamphlet . . . . . . . . . . . .
(a) Lead hazard information pamphlet . . . . . . . . .
(b) Renovation of Target Housing . . . . . . . . . . .
[TSCA §407]
Regulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[TSCA §408]
Control of lead-based paint hazards at federal facilities .
[TSCA §409]
Prohibited acts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[TSCA §410]
Relationship to other federal law . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[TSCA §411]
General provisions relating to administrative proceedings
(a) Applicability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(b) Rulemaking docket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(c) Inspection and copying . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(d) Explanation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(e) Judicial review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(f) Effective date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[TSCA §412]
Authorization of appropriations . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1070
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1070
1070
1071
1071

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1071
1071
1071
1071
1072
1072
1072
1072
1072

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TSCA §3

TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT

15 U.S.C. §2602

Toxic Substances Control Act
15 U.S.C. §§2601-2692
Subchapter I—Control of Toxic Substances
§2601.

[TSCA §2]

Findings, policy, and intent

(a) Findings
The Congress finds that—
(1) human beings and the environment are being exposed each
year to a large number of chemical substances and mixtures;
(2) among the many chemical substances and mixtures which are
constantly being developed and produced, there are some whose
manufacture, processing, distribution in commerce, use, or disposal
may present an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment; and
(3) the effective regulation of interstate commerce in such chemical substances and mixtures also necessitates the regulation of intrastate commerce in such chemical substances and mixtures.
(b) Policy
It is the policy of the United States that—
(1) adequate data should be developed with respect to the effect
of chemical substances and mixtures on health and the environment
and that the development of such data should be the responsibility
of those who manufacture and those who process such chemical
substances and mixtures;
(2) adequate authority should exist to regulate chemical substances and mixtures which present an unreasonable risk of injury
to health or the environment, and to take action with respect to
chemical substances and mixtures which are imminent hazards; and
(3) authority over chemical substances and mixtures should be
exercised in such a manner as not to impede unduly or create unnecessary economic barriers to technological innovation while
fulfilling the primary purpose of this chapter to assure that such
innovation and commerce in such chemical substances and mixtures do not present an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the
environment.
(c) Intent of Congress
It is the intent of Congress that the Administrator shall carry out
this chapter in a reasonable and prudent manner, and that the Administrator shall consider the environmental, economic, and social impact of any action the Administrator takes or proposes to take under
this chapter.
(Pub. L. 94-469, title I, §2, Oct. 11, 1976, 90 Stat. 2003; redesignated title I,
Pub. L. 99-519, §3(c)(1), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2989.)
Effective Date
Section 31 of title I of Pub. L. 94-469; redesignated title I, Pub. L. 99-519, Sec.
3(c), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2989, provided that: “Except as provided in section 4(f)
[section 2603(f) of this title], this Act [enacting this chapter] shall take effect on
January 1, 1977.”
Short Title of 1992 Amendment
Section 1021(c) of Pub. L. 102-550, Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3924, provided that:
“This subtitle [enacting subchapter IV] may be cited as the ‘Lead-Based Paint Exposure Reduction Act’.”
Short Title Of 1986 Amendment
Section 1 of Pub. L. 99-519 provided that: “This Act [enacting sections 2641 to
2654 of this title and section 4022 of Title 20, Education, amending sections 2614,
2618, and 2619 of this title and sections 4014 and 4021 of Title 20, and enacting provisions set out as a note under section 4014 of Title 20] may be cited as the ‘Asbestos
Hazard Emergency Response Act of 1986’.”
Short Title
Section 1 of title I of Pub. L. 94-469; redesignated title I, Pub. L. 99-519, Sec. 3(c),
Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2989, provided that: “This Act [enacting this chapter and
provisions set out as notes under this section] may be cited as the ‘Toxic Substances
Control Act’.”

1.

Federal Compliance With Pollution Control Standards
For provisions relating to the responsibility of the head of each Executive agency
for compliance with applicable pollution control standards, see Ex. Ord. No. 12088,
Oct. 13, 1978, 43 F.R. 47707, set out as a note under section 4321 of Title 42, The
Public Health and Welfare.

§2602. [TSCA §3]
Definitions

As used in this chapter:
(1) the1 term “Administrator” means the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
(2)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the term “chemical substance” means any organic or inorganic substance of a particular molecular identity, including—
(i) any combination of such substances occurring in whole
or in part as a result of a chemical reaction or occurring in nature and
(ii) any element or uncombined radical.
(B) Such term does not include—
(i) any mixture,
(ii) any pesticide (as defined in the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act [7 U.S.C. 136 et seq.]) when
manufactured, processed, or distributed in commerce for use
as a pesticide,
(iii) tobacco or any tobacco product,
(iv) any source material, special nuclear material, or byproduct material (as such terms are defined in the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 [42 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.] and regulations
issued under such Act),
(v) any article the sale of which is subject to the tax imposed
by section 4181 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [26
U.S.C. 4181] (determined without regard to any exemptions
from such tax provided by section 4182 or 4221 or any other
provision of such Code), and
(vi) any food, food additive, drug, cosmetic, or device (as
such terms are defined in section 201 of the Federal Food,
Drug, and Cosmetic Act [21 U.S.C. 321]) when manufactured,
processed, or distributed in commerce for use as a food, food
additive, drug, cosmetic, or device.
The term “food” as used in clause (vi) of this subparagraph includes poultry and poultry products (as defined in sections 4(e)
and 4(f) of the Poultry Products Inspection Act [21 U.S.C. 453(e)
and (f)]), meat and meat food products (as defined in section 1(j)
of the Federal Meat Inspection Act [21 U.S.C. 601(j)]), and eggs
and egg products (as defined in section 4 of the Egg Products Inspection Act [21 U.S.C. 1033]).
(3) The term “commerce” means trade, traffic, transportation, or
other commerce (A) between a place in a State and any place outside of such State, or (B) which affects trade, traffic, transportation,
or commerce described in clause (A).
(4) The terms “distribute in commerce” and “distribution in commerce” when used to describe an action taken with respect to a
chemical substance or mixture or article containing a substance or
mixture mean to sell, or the sale of, the substance, mixture, or article
in commerce; to introduce or deliver for introduction into commerce, or the introduction or delivery for introduction into commerce of, the substance, mixture, or article; or to hold, or the holding of, the substance, mixture, or article after its introduction into
commerce.
(5) The term “environment” includes water, air, and land and the

So in original. Probably should be “The”.

1031

15 U.S.C. §2603

ENVIRONMENTAL LAW DESKBOOK

interrelationship which exists among and between water, air, and
land and all living things.
(6) The term “health and safety study” means any study of any effect of a chemical substance or mixture on health or the environment or on both, including underlying data and epidemiological
studies, studies of occupational exposure to a chemical substance or
mixture, toxicological, clinical, and ecological studies of a chemical substance or mixture, and any test performed pursuant to this
chapter.
(7) The term “manufacture” means to import into the customs
territory of the United States (as defined in general note 2 of the
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States), produce, or
manufacture.
(8) The term “mixture” means any combination of two or more
chemical substances if the combination does not occur in nature and
is not, in whole or in part, the result of a chemical reaction; except
that such term does include any combination which occurs, in
whole or in part, as a result of a chemical reaction if none of the
chemical substances comprising the combination is a new chemical
substance and if the combination could have been manufactured for
commercial purposes without a chemical reaction at the time the
chemical substances comprising the combination were combined.
(9) The term “new chemical substance” means any chemical substance which is not included in the chemical substance list compiled
and published under section 2607(b) of this title.
(10) The term “process” means the preparation of a chemical
substance or mixture, after its manufacture, for distribution in
commerce—
(A) in the same form or physical state as, or in a different form
or physical state from, that in which it was received by the person
so preparing such substance or mixture, or
(B) as part of an article containing the chemical substance or
mixture.
(11) The term “processor” means any person who processes a
chemical substance or mixture.
(12) The term “standards for the development of test data” means
a prescription of—
(A) the—
(i) health and environmental effects, and
(ii) information relating to toxicity, persistence, and other
characteristics which affect health and the environment, for
which test data for a chemical substance or mixture are to be
developed and any analysis that is to be performed on such
data, and
(B) to the extent necessary to assure that data respecting such
effects and characteristics are reliable and adequate—
(i) the manner in which such data are to be developed,
(ii) the specification of any test protocol or methodology to
be employed in the development of such data, and
(iii) such other requirements as are necessary to provide
such assurance.
(13) The term “State” means any State of the United States, the
District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Canal Zone, American Samoa, the Northern
Mariana Islands, or any other territory or possession of the United
States.
(14) The term “United States”, when used in the geographic
sense, means all of the States.
(Pub. L. 94-469, title I, §3, Oct. 11, 1976, 90 Stat. 2004; Pub. L. 99-514, §2,
Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2095; redesignated title I, Pub. L. 99-519, §3(c)(1),
Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2989; Pub. L. 100-418, title I, §1214(e)(1), Aug. 23,
1988, 102 Stat. 1156.)
References In Text
The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, referred to in par.
(2)(B)(ii), is act June 25, 1947, ch. 125, as amended generally by Pub. L. 92-516,
Oct. 21, 1972, 86 Stat. 973, which is classified generally to subchapter II (Sec. 136 et
seq.) of chapter 6 of Title 7, Agriculture. For complete classification of this Act to the
Code, see Short Title note set out under section 136 of Title 7 and Tables.
The Atomic Energy Act of 1954, referred to in par. (2)(B)(iv), is act Aug. 1, 1946,
ch. 724, as added by act Aug. 30, 1954, ch. 1073, Sec. 1, 68 Stat. 921, and amended,
which is classified generally to chapter 23 (Sec. 2011 et seq.) of Title 42, The Public
Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 2011 of Title 42 and Tables.

1032

TSCA §4

The Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, referred to in par. (7), is not
set out in the Code. See Publication of Harmonized Tariff Schedule note set out under section 1202 of Title 19, Customs Duties.
For definition of Canal Zone, Governor of the Canal Zone, and Paname Canal
Company, referred to in par. (13), see section 3602(b) of Title 22, Foreign Relations
and Intercourse.
Effective Date Of 1988 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 100-418 effective Jan. 1, 1989, and applicable with respect to articles entered on or after such date, see section 1217(b)(1) of Pub. L.
100-418, set out as an Effective Date note under section 3001 of Title 19, Customs
Duties.

§2603. [TSCA §4]
Testing of chemical substances and mixtures

(a) Testing requirements
If the Administrator finds that—
(1)(A)(i) the manufacture, distribution in commerce, processing,
use, or disposal of a chemical substance or mixture, or that any combination of such activities, may present an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment,
(ii) there are insufficient data and experience upon which
the effects of such manufacture, distribution in commerce,
processing, use, or disposal of such substance or mixture or of
any combination of such activities on health or the environment can reasonably be determined or predicted, and
(iii) testing of such substance or mixture with respect to
such effects is necessary to develop such data; or
(B)(i) a chemical substance or mixture is or will be produced in
substantial quantities, and (I) it enters or may reasonably be anticipated to enter the environment in substantial quantities or (II)
there is or may be significant or substantial human exposure to
such substance or mixture,
(ii) there are insufficient data and experience upon which
the effects of the manufacture, distribution in commerce, processing, use, or disposal of such substance or mixture or of any
combination of such activities on health or the environment
can reasonably be determined or predicted, and
(iii) testing of such substance or mixture with respect to
such effects is necessary to develop such data; and
(2) in the case of a mixture, the effects which the mixture’s manufacture, distribution in commerce, processing, use, or disposal or any
combination of such activities may have on health or the environment
may not be reasonably and more efficiently determined or predicted
by testing the chemical substances which comprise the mixture;
the Administrator shall by rule require that testing be conducted on
such substance or mixture to develop data with respect to the health
and environmental effects for which there is an insufficiency of data
and experience and which are relevant to a determination that the
manufacture, distribution in commerce, processing, use, or disposal of
such substance or mixture, or that any combination of such activities,
does or does not present an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the
environment.
(b) Testing requirement rule
(1) A rule under subsection (a) of this section shall include—
(A) identification of the chemical substance or mixture for
which testing is required under the rule,
(B) standards for the development of test data for such substance or mixture, and
(C) with respect to chemical substances which are not new
chemical substances and to mixtures, a specification of the period (which period may not be of unreasonable duration) within
which the persons required to conduct the testing shall submit to
the Administrator data developed in accordance with the standards referred to in subparagraph (B).
In determining the standards and period to be included, pursuant to
subparagraphs (B) and (C), in a rule under subsection (a) of this section, the Administrator’s considerations shall include the relative
costs of the various test protocols and methodologies which may be
required under the rule and the reasonably foreseeable availability
of the facilities and personnel needed to perform the testing required under the rule. Any such rule may require the submission to

TSCA §4

TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT

the Administrator of preliminary data during the period prescribed
under subparagraph (C).
(2)(A) The health and environmental effects for which standards
for the development of test data may be prescribed include carcinogenesis, mutagenesis, teratogenesis, behavioral disorders, cumulative or synergistic effects, and any other effect which may present
an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment. The
characteristics of chemical substances and mixtures for which such
standards may be prescribed include persistence, acute toxicity,
subacute toxicity, chornic toxicity, and any other characteristic
which may present such a risk. The methodologies that may be prescribed in such standards include epidemiologic studies, serial or
hierarchical tests, in vitro tests, and whole animal tests, except that
before prescribing epidemiologic studies of employees, the Administrator shall consult with the Director of the National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health.
(B) From time to time, but not less than once each 12 months,
the Administrator shall review the adequacy of the standards for
development of data prescribed in rules under subsection (a) of
this section and shall, if necessary, institute proceedings to make
appropriate revisions of such standards.
(3)(A) A rule under subsection (a) of this section respecting a
chemical substance or mixture shall require the persons described
in subparagraph (B) to conduct tests and submit data to the Administrator on such substance or mixture, except that the Administrator
may permit two or more of such persons to designate one such person or a qualified third party to conduct such tests and submit such
data on behalf of the persons making the designation.
(B) The following persons shall be required to conduct tests
and submit data on a chemical substance or mixture subject to a
rule under subsection (a) of this section:
(i) Each person who manufactures or intends to manufacture such substance or mixture if the Administrator makes a
finding described in subsection (a)(1)(A)(ii) or (a)(1)(B)(ii) of
this section with respect to the manufacture of such substance
or mixture.
(ii) Each person who processes or intends to process such
substance or mixture if the Administrator makes a finding described in subsection (a)(1)(A)(ii) or (a)(1)(B)(ii) of this section with respect to the processing of such substance or
mixture.
(iii) Each person who manufactures or processes or intends
to manufacture or process such substance or mixture if the Administrator makes a finding described in subsection
(a)(1)(A)(ii) or (a)(1)(B)(ii) of this section with respect to the
distribution in commerce, use, or disposal of such substance or
mixture.
(4) Any rule under subsection (a) of this section requiring the
testing of and submission of data for a particular chemical substance or mixture shall expire at the end of the reimbursement period (as defined in subsection (c)(3)(B) of this section) which is applicable to test data for such substance or mixture unless the Administrator repeals the rule before such date; and a rule under subsection (a) of this section requiring the testing of and submission of
data for a category of chemical substances or mixtures shall expire
with respect to a chemical substance or mixture included in the category at the end of the reimbursement period (as so defined) which is
applicable to test data for such substance or mixture unless the Administrator before such date repeals the application of the rule to
such substance or mixture or repeals the rule.
(5) Rules issued under subsection (a) of this section (and any substantive amendment thereto or repeal thereof) shall be promulgated
pursuant to section 553 of title 5 except that (A) the Administrator
shall give interested persons an opportunity for the oral presentation
of data, views, or arguments, in addition to an opportunity to make
written submissions; (B) a transcript shall be made of any oral presentation; and (C) the Administrator shall make and publish with the
rule the findings described in paragraph (1)(A) or (1)(B) of subsection (a) of this section and, in the case of a rule respecting a mixture,
the finding described in paragraph (2) of such subsection.

15 U.S.C. §2603

(c) Exemption
(1) Any person required by a rule under subsection (a) of this section to conduct tests and submit data on a chemical substance or
mixture may apply to the Administrator (in such form and manner
as the Administrator shall prescribe) for an exemption from such
requirement.
(2) If, upon receipt of an application under paragraph (1), the Administrator determines that—
(A) the chemical substance or mixture with respect to which
such application was submitted is equivalent to a chemical substance or mixture for which data has been submitted to the Administrator in accordance with a rule under subsection (a) of this
section or for which data is being developed pursuant to such a
rule, and
(B) submission of data by the applicant on such substance or
mixture would be duplicative of data which has been submitted
to the Administrator in accordance with such rule or which is being developed pursuant to such rule,
the Administrator shall exempt, in accordance with paragraph (3)
or (4), the applicant from conducting tests and submitting data on
such substance or mixture under the rule with respect to which such
application was submitted.
(3)(A) If the exemption under paragraph (2) of any person from
the requirement to conduct tests and submit test data on a chemical
substance or mixture is granted on the basis of the existence of previously submitted test data and if such exemption is granted during
the reimbursement period for such test data (as prescribed by subparagraph (B)), then (unless such person and the persons referred to
in clauses (i) and (ii) agree on the amount and method of reimbursement) the Administrator shall order the person granted the exemption to provide fair and equitable reimbursement (in an amount determined under rules of the Administrator)—
(i) to the person who previously submitted such test data, for
a portion of the costs incurred by such person in complying
with the requirement to submit such data, and
(ii) to any other person who has been required under this
subparagraph to contribute with respect to such costs, for a
portion of the amount such person was required to contribute.
In promulgating rules for the determination of fair and equitable reimbursement to the persons described in clauses (i) and
(ii) for costs incurred with respect to a chemical substance or
mixture, the Administrator shall, after consultation with the
Attorney General and the Federal Trade Commission, consider all relevant factors, including the effect on the competitive position of the person required to provide reimbursement
in relation to the person to be reimbursed and the share of the
market for such substance or mixture of the person required to
provide reimbursement in relation to the share of such market
of the persons to be reimbursed. An order under this subparagraph shall, for purposes of judicial review, be considered final agency action.
(B) For purposes of subparagraph (A), the reimbursement
period for any test data for a chemical substance or mixture is a
period—
(i) beginning on the date such data is submitted in accordance with a rule promulgated under subsection (a) of this section, and
(ii) ending—
(I) five years after the date referred to in clause (i), or
(II) at the expiration of a period which begins on the date
referred to in clause (i) and which is equal to the period
which the Administrator determines was necessary to develop such data,
whichever is later.
(4)(A) If the exemption under paragraph (2) of any person from
the requirement to conduct tests and submit test data on a chemical
substance or mixture is granted on the basis of the fact that test
data is being developed by one or more persons pursuant to a rule
promulgated under subsection (a) of this section, then (unless
such person and the persons referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) agree
on the amount and method of reimbursement) the Administrator
1033

15 U.S.C. §2603

ENVIRONMENTAL LAW DESKBOOK

shall order the person granted the exemption to provide fair and
equitable reimbursement (in an amount determined under rules of
the Administrator)—
(i) to each such person who is developing such test data, for
a portion of the costs incurred by each such person in complying with such rule, and
(ii) to any other person who has been required under this
subparagraph to contribute with respect to the costs of complying with such rule, for a portion of the amount such person
was required to contribute.
In promulgating rules for the determination of fair and equitable
reimbursement to the persons described in clauses (i) and (ii) for
costs incurred with respect to a chemical substance or mixture,
the Administrator shall, after consultation with the Attorney
General and the Federal Trade Commission, consider the factors
described in the second sentence of paragraph (3)(A). An order
under this subparagraph shall, for purposes of judicial review, be
considered final agency action.
(B) If any exemption is granted under paragraph (2) on the basis of the fact that one or more persons are developing test data
pursuant to a rule promulgated under subsection (a) of this section and if after such exemption is granted the Administrator determines that no such person has complied with such rule, the
Administrator shall (i) after providing written notice to the person who holds such exemption and an opportunity for a hearing,
by order terminate such exemption, and (ii) notify in writing such
person of the requirements of the rule with respect to which such
exemption was granted.
(d) Notice
Upon the receipt of any test data pursuant to a rule under subsection
(a) of this section, the Administrator shall publish a notice of the receipt of such data in the Federal Register within 15 days of its receipt.
Subject to section 2613 of this title, each such notice shall (1) identify
the chemical substance or mixture for which data have been received;
(2) list the uses or intended uses of such substance or mixture and the
information required by the applicable standards for the development
of test data; and (3) describe the nature of the test data developed. Except as otherwise provided in section 2613 of this title, such data shall
be made available by the Administrator for examination by any person.
(e) Priority list
(1)(A) There is established a committee to make recommendations to the Administrator respecting the chemical substances and
mixtures to which the Administrator should give priority consideration for the promulgation of a rule under subsection (a) of this section. In making such a recommendation with respect to any chemical substance or mixture, the committee shall consider all relevant
factors, including—
(i) the quantities in which the substance or mixture is or will
be manufactured,
(ii) the quantities in which the substance or mixture enters or
will enter the environment,
(iii) the number of individuals who are or will be exposed to
the substance or mixture in their places of employment and the
duration of such exposure,
(iv) the extent to which human beings are or will be exposed
to the substance or mixture,
(v) the extent to which the substance or mixture is closely
related to a chemical substance or mixture which is known
to present an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the
environment,
(vi) the existence of data concerning the effects of the substance or mixture on health or the environment,
(vii) the extent to which testing of the substance or mixture
may result in the development of data upon which the effects
of the substance or mixture on health or the environment can
reasonably be determined or predicted, and
(viii) the reasonably foreseeable availability of facilities
and personnel for performing testing on the substance or
mixture.
2.

1034

So in original. Probably should be “preceding”.

TSCA §4

The recommendations of the committee shall be in the form of a
list of chemical substances and mixtures which shall be set forth,
either by individual substance or mixture or by groups of substances or mixtures, in the order in which the committee determines the Administrator should take action under subsection (a)
of this section with respect to the substances and mixtures. In establishing such list, the committee shall give priority attention to
those chemical substances and mixtures which are known to
cause or contribute to or which are suspected of causing or contributing to cancer, gene mutations, or birth defects. The committee shall designate chemical substances and mixtures on the list
with respect to which the committee determines the Administrator should, within 12 months of the date on which such substances and mixtures are first designated, initiate a proceeding
under subsection (a) of this section. The total number of chemical
substances and mixtures on the list which are designated under
the preceding sentence may not, at any time, exceed 50.
(B) As soon as practicable but not later than nine months after
January 1, 1977, the committee shall publish in the Federal Register and transmit to the Administrator the list and designations
required by subparagraph (A) together with the reasons for the
committee’s inclusion of each chemical substance or mixture on
the list. At least every six months after the date of the transmission to the Administrator of the list pursuant to the preceeding2
sentence, the committee shall make such previsions in the list as
it determines to be necessary and shall transmit them to the Administrator together with the committee’s reasons for the revisions. Upon receipt of any such revision, the Administrator shall
publish in the Federal Register the list with such revision, the reasons for such revision, and the designations made under subparagraph (A). The Administrator shall provide reasonable opportunity to any interested person to file with the Administrator written comments on the committee’s list, any revision of such list by
the committee, and designations made by the committee, and
shall make such comments available to the public. Within the
12-month period beginning on the date of the first inclusion on
the list of a chemical substance or mixture designated by the
committee under subparagraph (A) the Administrator shall with
respect to such chemical substance or mixture either initiate a
rulemaking proceeding under subsection (a) of this section or if
such a proceeding is not initiated within such period, publish in
the Federal Register the Administrator’s reason for not initiating
such a proceeding.
(2)(A) The committee established by paragraph (1)(A) shall consist of eight members as follows:
(i) One member appointed by the Administrator from the
Environmental Protection Agency.
(ii) One member appointed by the Secretary of Labor from
officers or employees of the Department of Labor engaged in
the Secretary’s activities under the Occupational Safety and
Health Act of 1970 [29 U.S.C. 651 et seq.].
(iii) One member appointed by the Chairman of the Council
on Environmental Quality from the Council or its officers or
employees.
(iv) One member appointed by the Director of the National
Institute for Occupational Safety and Health from officers or
employees of the Institute.
(v) One member appointed by the Director of the National
Institute of Environmental Health Sciences from officers or
employees of the Institute.
(vi) One member appointed by the Director of the National
Cancer Institute from officers or employees of the Institute.
(vii) One member appointed by the Director of the National Science Foundation from officers or employees of the
Foundation.
(viii) One member appointed by the Secretary of Commerce
from officers or employees of the Department of Commerce.
(B)(i) An appointed member may designate an individual to
serve on the committee on the member’s behalf. Such a designa-

TSCA §5

TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT

tion may be made only with the approval of the applicable appointing authority and only if the individual is from the entity
from which the member was appointed.
(ii) No individual may serve as a member of the committee
for more than four years in the aggregate. If any member of the
committee leaves the entity from which the member was appointed, such member may not continue as a member of the
committee, and the member’s position shall be considered to
be vacant. A vacancy in the committee shall be filled in the
same manner in which the original appointment was made.
(iii) Initial appointments to the committee shall be made not
later than the 60th day after January 1, 1977. Not later than the
90th day after such date the members of the committee shall
hold a meeting for the selection of a chairperson from among
their number.
(C)(i) No member of the committee, or designee of such member, shall accept employment or compensation from any person
subject to any requirement of this chapter or of any rule promulgated or order issued thereunder, for a period of at least 12
months after termination of service on the committee.
(ii) No person, while serving as a member of the committee,
or designee of such member, may own any stocks or bonds, or
have any pecuniary interest, of substantial value in any person
engaged in the manufacture, processing, or distribution in
commerce of any chemical substance or mixture subject to any
requirement of this chapter or of any rule promulgated or order
issued thereunder.
(iii) The Administrator, acting through attorneys of the Environmental Protection Agency, or the Attorney General may
bring an action in the appropriate district court of the United
States to restrain any violation of this subparagraph.
(D) The Administrator shall provide the committee such administrative support services as may be necessary to enable the
committee to carry out its function under this subsection.
(f) Required actions
Upon the receipt of—
(1) any test data required to be submitted under this chapter, or
(2) any other information available to the Administrator,
which indicates to the Administrator that there may be a reasonable
basis to conclude that a chemical substance or mixture presents or will
present a significant risk of serious or widespread harm to human beings from cancer, gene mutations, or birth defects, the Administrator
shall, within the 180-day period beginning on the date of the receipt of
such data or information, initiate appropriate action under section
2604, 2605, or 2606 of this title to prevent or reduce to a sufficient extent such risk or publish in the Federal Register a finding that such risk
is not unreasonable. For good cause shown the Administrator may extend such period for an additional period of not more than 90 days. The
Administrator shall publish in the Federal Register notice of any such
extension and the reasons therefor. A finding by the Administrator that
a risk is not unreasonable shall be considered agency action for purposes of judicial review under chapter 7 of title 5. This subsection shall
not take effect until two years after January 1, 1977.
(g) Petition for standards for the development of test data
A person intending to manufacture or process a chemical substance
for which notice is required under section 2604(a) of this title and who
is not required under a rule under subsection (a) of this section to conduct tests and submit data on such substance may petition the Administrator to prescribe standards for the development of test data for such
substance. The Administrator shall by order either grant or deny any
such petition within 60 days of its receipt. If the petition is granted, the
Administrator shall prescribe such standards for such substance
within 75 days of the date the petition is granted. If the petition is denied, the Administrator shall publish, subject to section 2613 of this title, in the Federal Register the reasons for such denial.
(Pub. L. 94-469, title I, §4, Oct. 11, 1976, 90 Stat. 2006; redesignated title I,
Pub. L. 99-519, §3(c)(1), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2989.)
References In Text
The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, referred to in text, is Pub. L.
91-596, Dec. 29, 1970, 84 Stat. 1590, as amended, which is classified principally to

15 U.S.C. §2604

chapter 15 (Sec. 651 et seq.) of Title 29, Labor. For complete classification of this
Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 651 of Title 29 and Tables.
Effective Date
Section effective Jan. 1, 1977, except as provided in subsec. (f) of this section, see
section 31 of Pub. L. 94-469, set out as a note under section 2601 of this title.

§2604. [TSCA §5]
Manufacturing and processing notices

(a) In general
(1) Except as provided in subsection (h) of this section, no person
may—
(A) manufacture a new chemical substance on or after the 30th
day after the date on which the Administrator first publishes the
list required by section 2607(b) of this title, or
(B) manufacture or process any chemical substance for a use
which the Administrator has determined, in accordance with
paragraph (2), is a significant new use,
unless such person submits to the Administrator, at least 90 days before such manufacture or processing, a notice, in accordance with
subsection (d) of this section, of such person’s intention to manufacture or process such substance and such person complies with
any applicable requirement of subsection (b) of this section.
(2) A determination by the Administrator that a use of a chemical
substance is a significant new use with respect to which notification
is required under paragraph (1) shall be made by a rule promulgated
after a consideration of all relevant factors, including—
(A) the projected volume of manufacturing and processing of
a chemical substance,
(B) the extent to which a use changes the type or form of exposure of human beings or the environment to a chemical substance,
(C) the extent to which a use increases the magnitude and duration of exposure of human beings or the environment to a
chemical substance, and
(D) the reasonably anticipated manner and methods of manufacturing, processing, distribution in commerce, and disposal of
a chemical substance.
(b) Submission of test data
(1)(A) If (i) a person is required by subsection (a)(1) of this section to submit a notice to the Administrator before beginning the
manufacture or processing of a chemical substance, and (ii) such
person is required to submit test data for such substance pursuant to
a rule promulgated under section 2603 of this title before the submission of such notice, such person shall submit to the Administrator such data in accordance with such rule at the time notice is submitted in accordance with subsection (a)(1) of this section.
(B) If—
(i) a person is required by subsection (a)(1) of this section to
submit a notice to the Administrator, and
(ii) such person has been granted an exemption under section 2603(c) of this title from the requirements of a rule promulgated under section 2603 of this title before the submission
of such notice,
such person may not, before the expiration of the 90 day period
which begins on the date of the submission in accordance with
such rule of the test data the submission or development of which
was the basis for the exemption, manufacture such substance if
such person is subject to subsection (a)(1)(A) of this section or
manufacture or process such substance for a significant new use
if the person is subject to subsection (a)(1)(B) of this section.
(2)(A) If a person—
(i) is required by subsection (a)(1) of this section to submit a
notice to the Administrator before beginning the manufacture
or processing of a chemical substance listed under paragraph
(4), and
(ii) is not required by a rule promulgated under section 2603
of this title before the submission of such notice to submit test
data for such substance,
such person shall submit to the Administrator data prescribed by
subparagraph (B) at the time notice is submitted in accordance
with subsection (a)(1) of this section.
1035

15 U.S.C. §2604

ENVIRONMENTAL LAW DESKBOOK

(B) Data submitted pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall be data
which the person submitting the data believes show that—
(i) in the case of a substance with respect to which notice is
required under subsection (a)(1)(A) of this section, the manufacture, processing, distribution in commerce, use, and disposal of the chemical substance or any combination of such
activities will not present an unreasonable risk of injury to
health or the environment, or
(ii) in the case of a chemical substance with respect to which
notice is required under subsection (a)(1)(B) of this section,
the intended significant new use of the chemical substance
will not present an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the
environment.
(3) Data submitted under paragraph (1) or (2) shall be made
available, subject to section 2613 of this title, for examination by interested persons.
(4)(A)(i) The Administrator may, by rule, compile and keep current a list of chemical substances with respect to which the Administrator finds that the manufacture, processing, distribution in commerce, use, or disposal, or any combination of such activities, presents or may present an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the
environment.
(ii) In making a finding under clause (i) that the manufacture, processing, distribution in commerce, use, or disposal of
a chemical substance or any combination of such activities
presents or may present an unreasonable risk of injury to
health or the environment, the Administrator shall consider all
relevant factors, including—
(I) the effects of the chemical substance on health and the
magnitude of human exposure to such substance; and
(II) the effects of the chemical substance on the environment and the magnitude of environmental exposure to such
substance.
(B) The Administrator shall, in prescribing a rule under subparagraph (A) which lists any chemical substance, identify those
uses, if any, which the Administrator determines, by rule under
subsection (a)(2) of this section, would constitute a significant
new use of such substance.
(C) Any rule under subparagraph (A), and any substantive
amendment or repeal of such a rule, shall be promulgated pursuant to the procedures specified in section 553 of title 5, except
that (i) the Administrator shall give interested persons an opportunity for the oral presentation of data, views, or arguments, in
addition to an opportunity to make written submissions, (ii) a
transcript shall be kept of any oral presentation, and (iii) the Administrator shall make and publish with the rule the finding described in subparagraph (A).
(c) Extension of notice period
The Administrator may for good cause extend for additional periods (not to exceed in the aggregate 90 days) the period, prescribed by
subsection (a) or (b) of this section before which the manufacturing or
processing of a chemical substance subject to such subsection may begin. Subject to section 2613 of this title, such an extension and the reasons therefor shall be published in the Federal Register and shall constitute a final agency action subject to judicial review.
(d) Content of notice; publications in the Federal Register
(1) The notice required by subsection (a) of this section shall
include—
(A) insofar as known to the person submitting the notice or insofar as reasonably ascertainable, the information described in
subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), (D), (F), and (G) of section
2607(a)(2) of this title, and
(B) in such form and manner as the Administrator may prescribe, any test data in the possession or control of the person giving such notice which are related to the effect of any manufacture, processing, distribution in commerce, use, or disposal of
such substance or any article containing such substance, or of any
combination of such activities, on health or the environment, and
(C) a description of any other data concerning the environmental
and health effects of such substance, insofar as known to the person making the notice or insofar as reasonably ascertainable.
1036

TSCA §5

Such a notice shall be made available, subject to section 2613 of this
title, for examination by interested persons.
(2) Subject to section 2613 of this title, not later than five days
(excluding Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays) after the date of
the receipt of a notice under subsection (a) of this section or of data
under subsection (b) of this section, the Administrator shall publish
in the Federal Register a notice which—
(A) identifies the chemical substance for which notice or data
has been received;
(B) lists the uses or intended uses of such substance; and
(C) in the case of the receipt of data under subsection (b) of this
section, describes the nature of the tests performed on such substance and any data which was developed pursuant to subsection
(b) of this section or a rule under section 2603 of this title.
A notice under this paragraph respecting a chemical substance shall
identify the chemical substance by generic class unless the Administrator determines that more specific identification is required in
the public interest.
(3) At the beginning of each month the Administrator shall publish a list in the Federal Register of (A) each chemical substance for
which notice has been received under subsection (a) of this section
and for which the notification period prescribed by subsection (a),
(b), or (c) of this section has not expired, and (B) each chemical substance for which such notification period has expired since the last
publication in the Federal Register of such list.
(e) Regulation pending development of information
(1)(A) If the Administrator determines that—
(i) the information available to the Administrator is insufficient to permit a reasoned evaluation of the health and environmental effects of a chemical substance with respect to which
notice is required by subsection (a) of this section; and
(ii)(I) in the absence of sufficient information to permit the
Administrator to make such an evaluation, the manufacture,
processing, distribution in commerce, use, or disposal of such
substance, or any combination of such activities, may present
an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment, or
(II) such substance is or will be produced in substantial
quantities, and such substance either enters or may reasonably be anticipated to enter the environment in substantial
quantities or there is or may be significant or substantial human exposure to the substance,
the Administrator may issue a proposed order, to take effect on the
expiration of the notification period applicable to the manufacturing or processing of such substance under subsection (a), (b), or (c)
of this section, to prohibit or limit the manufacture, processing, distribution in commerce, use, or disposal of such substance or to prohibit or limit any combination of such activities.
(B) A proposed order may not be issued under subparagraph
(A) respecting a chemical substance (i) later than 45 days before
the expiration of the notification period applicable to the manufacture or processing of such substance under subsection (a), (b),
or (c) of this section, and (ii) unless the Administrator has, on or
before the issuance of the proposed order, notified, in writing,
each manufacturer or processor, as the case may be, of such substance of the determination which underlies such order.
(C) If a manufacturer or processor of a chemical substance to
be subject to a proposed order issued under subparagraph (A)
files with the Administrator (within the 30-day period beginning on the date such manufacturer or processor received the
notice required by subparagraph (B)(ii)) objections specifying
with particularity the provisions of the order deemed objectionable and stating the grounds therefor, the proposed order shall
not take effect.
(2)(A)(i) Except as provided in clause (ii), if with respect to a
chemical substance with respect to which notice is required by subsection (a) of this section, the Administrator makes the determination described in paragraph (1)(A) and if—
(I) the Administrator does not issue a proposed order under paragraph (1) respecting such substance, or
(II) the Administrator issues such an order respecting
such substance but such order does not take effect because

TSCA §5

TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT

objections were filed under paragraph (1)(C) with respect
to it,
the Administrator, through attorneys of the Environmental
Protection Agency, shall apply to the United States District
Court for the District of Columbia or the United States district
court for the judicial district in which the manufacturer or
processor, as the case may be, of such substance is found, resides, or transacts business for an injunction to prohibit or limit
the manufacture, processing, distribution in commerce, use, or
disposal of such substance (or to prohibit or limit any combination of such activities).
(ii) If the Administrator issues a proposed order under paragraph (1)(A) respecting a chemical substance but such order
does not take effect because objections have been filed under
paragraph (1)(C) with respect to it, the Administrator is not required to apply for an injunction under clause (i) respecting
such substance if the Administrator determines, on the basis of
such objections, that the determinations under paragraph
(1)(A) may not be made.
(B) A district court of the United States which receives an application under subparagraph (A)(i) for an injunction respecting
a chemical substance shall issue such injunction if the court finds
that—
(i) the information available to the Administrator is insufficient to permit a reasoned evaluation of the health and environmental effects of a chemical substance with respect to which
notice is required by subsection (a) of this section; and
(ii)(I) in the absence of sufficient information to permit the
Administrator to make such an evaluation, the manufacture,
processing, distribution in commerce, use, or disposal of such
substance, or any combination of such activities, may present
an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment, or
(II) such substance is or will be produced in substantial
quantities, and such substance either enters or may reasonably be anticipated to enter the environment in substantial
quantities or there is or may be significant or substantial human exposure to the substance.
(C) Pending the completion of a proceeding for the issuance of
an injunction under subparagraph (B) respecting a chemical substance, the court may, upon application of the Administrator
made through attorneys of the Environmental Protection
Agency, issue a temporary restraining order or a preliminary injunction to prohibit the manufacture, processing, distribution in
commerce, use, or disposal of such a substance (or any combination of such activities) if the court finds that the notification period applicable under subsection (a), (b), or (c) of this section to
the manufacturing or processing of such substance may expire
before such proceeding can be completed.
(D) After the submission to the Administrator of test data sufficient to evaluate the health and environmental effects of a
chemical substance subject to an injunction issued under subparagraph (B) and the evaluation of such data by the Administrator, the district court of the United States which issued such injunction shall, upon petition dissolve the injunction unless the
Administrator has initiated a proceeding for the issuance of a rule
under section 2605(a) of this title respecting the substance. If
such a proceeding has been initiated, such court shall continue
the injunction in effect until the effective date of the rule promulgated in such proceeding or, if such proceeding is terminated
without the promulgation of a rule, upon the termination of the
proceeding, whichever occurs first.
(f) Protection against unreasonable risks
(1) If the Administrator finds that there is a reasonable basis to
conclude that the manufacture, processing, distribution in commerce, use, or disposal of a chemical substance with respect to
which notice is required by subsection (a) of this section, or that any
combination of such activities, presents or will present an unreasonable risk of injury to health or environment before a rule promulgated under section 2605 of this title can protect against such risk,
the Administrator shall, before the expiration of the notification period applicable under subsection (a), (b), or (c) of this section to the

15 U.S.C. §2604

manufacturing or processing of such substance, take the action
authorized by paragraph (2) or (3) to the extent necessary to protect
against such risk.
(2) The Administrator may issue a proposed rule under section
2605(a) of this title to apply to a chemical substance with respect to
which a finding was made under paragraph (1)—
(A) a requirement limiting the amount of such substance
which may be manufactured, processed, or distributed in
commerce,
(B) a requirement described in paragraph (2), (3), (4), (5), (6),
or (7) of section 2605(a) of this title, or
(C) any combination of the requirements referred to in subparagraph (B).
Such a proposed rule shall be effective upon its publication in the
Federal Register. Section 2605(d)(2)(B) of this title shall apply
with respect to such rule.
(3)(A) The Administrator may—
(i) issue a proposed order to prohibit the manufacture, processing, or distribution in commerce of a substance with respect
to which a finding was made under paragraph (1), or
(ii) apply, through attorneys of the Environmental Protection Agency, to the United States District Court for the District
of Columbia or the United States district court for the judicial
district in which the manufacturer, or processor, as the case
may be, of such substance, is found, resides, or transacts business for an injunction to prohibit the manufacture, processing,
or distribution in commerce of such substance.
A proposed order issued under clause (i) respecting a chemical
substance shall take effect on the expiration of the notification
period applicable under subsection (a), (b), or (c) of this section
to the manufacture or processing of such substance.
(B) If the district court of the United States to which an application has been made under subparagraph (A)(ii) finds that there
is a reasonable basis to conclude that the manufacture, processing, distribution in commerce, use, or disposal of the chemical
substance with respect to which such application was made, or
that any combination of such activities, presents or will present
an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment before a rule promulgated under section 2605 of this title can protect against such risk, the court shall issue an injunction to prohibit the manufacture, processing, or distribution in commerce of
such substance or to prohibit any combination of such activities.
(C) The provisions of subparagraphs (B) and (C) of subsection
(e)(1) of this section shall apply with respect to an order issued
under clause (i) of subparagraph (A); and the provisions of subparagraph (C) of subsection (e)(2) of this section shall apply with
respect to an injunction issued under subparagraph (B).
(D) If the Administrator issues an order pursuant to subparagraph (A)(i) respecting a chemical substance and objections are
filed in accordance with subsection (e)(1)(C) of this section, the
Administrator shall seek an injunction under subparagraph
(A)(ii) respecting such substance unless the Administrator determines, on the basis of such objections, that such substance does
not or will not present an unreasonable risk of injury to health or
the environment.
(g) Statement of reasons for not taking action
If the Administrator has not initiated any action under this section
or section 2605 or 2606 of this title to prohibit or limit the manufacture, processing, distribution in commerce, use, or disposal of a
chemical substance, with respect to which notification or data is required by subsection (a)(1)(B) or (b) of this section, before the expiration of the notification period applicable to the manufacturing or processing of such substance, the Administrator shall publish a statement
of the Administrator’s reasons for not initiating such action. Such a
statement shall be published in the Federal Register before the expiration of such period. Publication of such statement in accordance with
the preceding sentence is not a prerequisite to the manufacturing or
processing of the substance with respect to which the statement is to be
published.
(h) Exemptions
(1) The Administrator may, upon application, exempt any person
1037

15 U.S.C. §2605

ENVIRONMENTAL LAW DESKBOOK

from any requirement of subsection (a) or (b) of this section to permit such person to manufacture or process a chemical substance for
test marketing purposes—
(A) upon a showing by such person satisfactory to the Administrator that the manufacture, processing, distribution in commerce, use, and disposal of such substance, and that any combination of such activities, for such purposes will not present any
unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment, and
(B) under such restrictions as the Administrator considers
appropriate.
(2)(A) The Administrator may, upon application, exempt any
person from the requirement of subsection (b)(2) of this section to
submit data for a chemical substance. If, upon receipt of an application under the preceding sentence, the Administrator determines
that—
(i) the chemical substance with respect to which such application was submitted is equivalent to a chemical substance for
which data has been submitted to the Administrator as required by subsection (b)(2) of this section, and
(ii) submission of data by the applicant on such substance
would be duplicative of data which has been submitted to the
Administrator in accordance with such subsection,
the Administrator shall exempt the applicant from the requirement to submit such data on such substance. No exemption
which is granted under this subparagraph with respect to the submission of data for a chemical substance may take effect before
the beginning of the reimbursement period applicable to such
data.
(B) If the Administrator exempts any person, under subparagraph (A), from submitting data required under subsection (b)(2)
of this section for a chemical substance because of the existence
of previously submitted data and if such exemption is granted
during the reimbursement period for such data, then (unless such
person and the persons referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) agree on
the amount and method of reimbursement) the Administrator
shall order the person granted the exemption to provide fair and
equitable reimbursement (in an amount determined under rules
of the Administrator)—
(i) to the person who previously submitted the data on which
the exemption was based, for a portion of the costs incurred by
such person in complying with the requirement under subsection (b)(2) of this section to submit such data, and
(ii) to any other person who has been required under this
subparagraph to contribute with respect to such costs, for a
portion of the amount such person was required to contribute.
In promulgating rules for the determination of fair and equitable reimbursement to the persons described in clauses (i) and
(ii) for costs incurred with respect to a chemical substance, the
Administrator shall, after consultation with the Attorney General and the Federal Trade Commission, consider all relevant
factors, including the effect on the competitive position of the
person required to provide reimbursement in relation to the
persons to be reimbursed and the share of the market for such
substance of the person required to provide reimbursement in
relation to the share of such market of the persons to be reimbursed. For purposes of judicial review, an order under this
subparagraph shall be considered final agency action.
(C) For purposes of this paragraph, the reimbursement period
for any previously submitted data for a chemical substance is a
period—
(i) beginning on the date of the termination of the prohibition, imposed under this section, on the manufacture or processing of such substance by the person who submitted such
data to the Administrator, and
(ii) ending—
(I) five years after the date referred to in clause (i), or
(II) at the expiration of a period which begins on the date
referred to in clause (i) and is equal to the period which the
Administrator determines was necessary to develop such
data, whichever is later.
(3) The requirements of subsections (a) and (b) of this section do
1038

TSCA §6

not apply with respect to the manufacturing or processing of any
chemical substance which is manufactured or processed, or proposed to be manufactured or processed, only in small quantities (as
defined by the Administrator by rule) solely for purposes of—
(A) scientific experimentation or analysis, or
(B) chemical research on, or analysis of such substance or another substance, including such research or analysis for the development of a product,
if all persons engaged in such experimentation, research, or analysis for a manufacturer or processor are notified (in such form and
manner as the Administrator may prescribe) of any risk to health
which the manufacturer, processor, or the Administrator has reason
to believe may be associated with such chemical substance.
(4) The Administrator may, upon application and by rule, exempt
the manufacturer of any new chemical substance from all or part of
the requirements of this section if the Administrator determines that
the manufacture, processing, distribution in commerce, use, or disposal of such chemical substance, or that any combination of such
activities, will not present an unreasonable risk of injury to health or
the environment. A rule promulgated under this paragraph (and any
substantive amendment to, or repeal of, such a rule) shall be promulgated in accordance with paragraphs (2) and (3) of section
2605(c) of this title.
(5) The Administrator may, upon application, make the requirements of subsections (a) and (b) of this section inapplicable with respect to the manufacturing or processing of any chemical substance
(A) which exists temporarily as a result of a chemical reaction in the
manufacturing or processing of a mixture or another chemical substance, and (B) to which there is no, and will not be, human or environmental exposure.
(6) Immediately upon receipt of an application under paragraph
(1) or (5) the Administrator shall publish in the Federal Register notice of the receipt of such application. The Administrator shall give
interested persons an opportunity to comment upon any such application and shall, within 45 days of its receipt, either approve or deny
the application. The Administrator shall publish in the Federal Register notice of the approval or denial of such an application.
(i) “Manufacture” and “process” defined
For purposes of this section, the terms “manufacture” and “process”
mean manufacturing or processing for commercial purposes.
(Pub. L. 94-469, title I, §5, Oct. 11, 1976, 90 Stat. 2012; redesignated title I,
Pub. L. 99-519, §3(c)(1), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2989.)

§2605. [TSCA §6]
Regulation of hazardous chemical substances and mixtures

(a) Scope of regulation
If the Administrator finds that there is a reasonable basis to conclude that the manufacture, processing, distribution in commerce, use,
or disposal of a chemical substance or mixture, or that any combination of such activities, presents or will present an unreasonable risk of
injury to health or the environment, the Administrator shall by rule apply one or more of the following requirements to such substance or
mixture to the extent necessary to protect adequately against such risk
using the least burdensome requirements:
(1) A requirement (A) prohibiting the manufacturing, processing, or distribution in commerce of such substance or mixture, or
(B) limiting the amount of such substance or mixture which may be
manufactured, processed, or distributed in commerce.
(2) A requirement—
(A) prohibiting the manufacture, processing, or distribution in
commerce of such substance or mixture for (i) a particular use or
(ii) a particular use in a concentration in excess of a level specified by the Administrator in the rule imposing the requirement, or
(B) limiting the amount of such substance or mixture which
may be manufactured, processed, or distributed in commerce for
(i) a particular use or (ii) a particular use in a concentration in excess of a level specified by the Administrator in the rule imposing
the requirement.
(3) A requirement that such substance or mixture or any article
containing such substance or mixture be marked with or accompanied by clear and adequate warnings and instructions with respect to

TSCA §6

TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT

its use, distribution in commerce, or disposal or with respect to any
combination of such activities. The form and content of such warnings and instructions shall be prescribed by the Administrator.
(4) A requirement that manufacturers and processors of such
substance or mixture make and retain records of the processes
used to manufacture or process such substance or mixture and
monitor or conduct tests which are reasonable and necessary to assure compliance with the requirements of any rule applicable under this subsection.
(5) A requirement prohibiting or otherwise regulating any manner or method of commercial use of such substance or mixture.
(6)(A) A requirement prohibiting or otherwise regulating any
manner or method of disposal of such substance or mixture, or of
any article containing such substance or mixture, by its manufacturer or processor or by any other person who uses, or disposes of, it
for commercial purposes.
(B) A requirement under subparagraph (A) may not require
any person to take any action which would be in violation of any
law or requirement of, or in effect for, a State or political subdivision, and shall require each person subject to it to notify each
State and political subdivision in which a required disposal may
occur of such disposal.
(7) A requirement directing manufacturers or processors of such
substance or mixture (A) to give notice of such unreasonable risk of
injury to distributors in commerce of such substance or mixture and,
to the extent reasonably ascertainable, to other persons in possession of such substance or mixture or exposed to such substance or
mixture, (B) to give public notice of such risk of injury, and (C) to
replace or repurchase such substance or mixture as elected by the
person to which the requirement is directed.
Any requirement (or combination of requirements) imposed under
this subsection may be limited in application to specified geographic
areas.
(b) Quality control
If the Administrator has a reasonable basis to conclude that a particular manufacturer or processor is manufacturing or processing a
chemical substance or mixture in a manner which unintentionally
causes the chemical substance or mixture to present or which will
cause it to present an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the
environment—
(1) the Administrator may by order require such manufacturer or
processor to submit a description of the relevant quality control procedures followed in the manufacturing or processing of such chemical substance or mixture; and
(2) if the Administrator determines—
(A) that such quality control procedures are inadequate to prevent the chemical substance or mixture from presenting such risk
of injury, the Administrator may order the manufacturer or processor to revise such quality control procedures to the extent necessary to remedy such inadequacy; or
(B) that the use of such quality control procedures has resulted
in the distribution in commerce of chemical substances or mixtures which present an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the
environment, the Administrator may order the manufacturer or
processor to (i) give notice of such risk to processors or distributors in commerce of any such substance or mixture, or to both,
and, to the extent reasonably ascertainable, to any other person in
possession of or exposed to any such substance, (ii) to give public
notice of such risk, and (iii) to provide such replacement or repurchase of any such substance or mixture as is necessary to adequately protect health or the environment.
A determination under subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (2)
shall be made on the record after opportunity for hearing in accordance with section 554 of title 5. Any manufacturer or processor subject to a requirement to replace or repurchase a chemical substance or
mixture may elect either to replace or repurchase the substance or
mixture and shall take either such action in the manner prescribed by
the Administrator.
(c) Promulgation of subsection (a) rules
(1) In promulgating any rule under subsection (a) of this section

15 U.S.C. §2605

with respect to a chemical substance or mixture, the Administrator
shall consider and publish a statement with respect to—
(A) the effects of such substance or mixture on health and the
magnitude of the exposure of human beings to such substance or
mixture,
(B) the effects of such substance or mixture on the environment and the magnitude of the exposure of the environment to
such substance or mixture,
(C) the benefits of such substance or mixture for various uses
and the availability of substitutes for such uses, and
(D) the reasonably ascertainable economic consequences of
the rule, after consideration of the effect on the national economy, small business, technological innovation, the environment,
and public health.
If the Administrator determines that a risk of injury to health or the
environment could be eliminated or reduced to a sufficient extent
by actions taken under another Federal law (or laws) administered
in whole or in part by the Administrator, the Administrator may not
promulgate a rule under subsection (a) of this section to protect
against such risk of injury unless the Administrator finds, in the Administrator’s discretion, that it is in the public interest to protect
against such risk under this chapter. In making such a finding the
Administrator shall consider (i) all relevant aspects of the risk, as
determined by the Administrator in the Administrator’s discretion,
(ii) a comparison of the estimated costs of complying with actions
taken under this chapter and under such law (or laws), and (iii) the
relative efficiency of actions under this chapter and under such law
(or laws) to protect against such risk of injury.
(2) When prescribing a rule under subsection (a) the Administrator shall proceed in accordance with section 553 of title 5 (without
regard to any reference in such section to sections 556 and 557 of
such title), and shall also (A) publish a notice of proposed rulemaking stating with particularity the reason for the proposed rule; (B)
allow interested persons to submit written data, views, and arguments, and make all such submissions publicly available; (C) provide an opportunity for an informal hearing in accordance with
paragraph (3); (D) promulgate, if appropriate, a final rule based on
the matter in the rulemaking record (as defined in section 2618(a) of
this title), and (E) make and publish with the rule the finding described in subsection (a) of this section.
(3) Informal hearings required by paragraph (2)(C) shall be
conducted by the Administrator in accordance with the following
requirements:
(A) Subject to subparagraph (B), an interested person is
entitled—
(i) to present such person’s position orally or by documentary submissions (or both), and
(ii) if the Administrator determines that there are disputed
issues of material fact it is necessary to resolve, to present such
rebuttal submissions and to conduct (or have conducted under
subparagraph (B)(ii)) such cross-examination of persons as
the Administrator determines (I) to be appropriate, and (II) to
be required for a full and true disclosure with respect to such
issues.
(B) The Administrator may prescribe such rules and make
such rulings concerning procedures in such hearings to avoid unnecessary costs or delay. Such rules or rulings may include (i) the
imposition of reasonable time limits on each interested person’s
oral presentations, and (ii) requirements that any crossexamination to which a person may be entitled under subparagraph (A) be conducted by the Administrator on behalf of that
person in such manner as the Administrator determines (I) to be
appropriate, and (II) to be required for a full and true disclosure
with respect to disputed issues of material fact.
(C)(i) Except as provided in clause (ii), if a group of persons
each of whom under subparagraphs (A) and (B) would be entitled to conduct (or have conducted) cross-examination and who
are determined by the Administrator to have the same or similar
interests in the proceeding cannot agree upon a single representative of such interests for purposes of cross-examination, the Administrator may make rules and rulings (I) limiting the represen1039

15 U.S.C. §2605

ENVIRONMENTAL LAW DESKBOOK

tation of such interest for such purposes, and (II) governing the
manner in which such cross-examination shall be limited.
(ii) When any person who is a member of a group with respect to which the Administrator has made a determination under clause (i) is unable to agree upon group representation with
the other members of the group, then such person shall not be
denied under the authority of clause (i) the opportunity to conduct (or have conducted) cross-examination as to issues affecting the person’s particular interests if (I) the person
satisfies the Administrator that the person has made a reasonable and good faith effort to reach agreement upon group representation with the other members of the group and (II) the
Administrator determines that there are substantial and relevant issues which are not adequately presented by the group
representative.
(D) A verbatim transcript shall be taken of any oral presentation made, and cross-examination conducted in any informal
hearing under this subsection. Such transcript shall be available
to the public.
(4)(A) The Administrator may, pursuant to rules prescribed by
the Administrator, provide compensation for reasonable attorneys’
fees, expert witness fees, and other costs of participating in a rulemaking proceeding for the promulgation of a rule under subsection
(a) of this section to any person—
(i) who represents an interest which would substantially
contribute to a fair determination of the issues to be resolved in
the proceeding, and
(ii) if—
(I) the economic interest of such person is small in comparison to the costs of effective participation in the proceeding by such person, or
(II) such person demonstrates to the satisfaction of the
Administrator that such person does not have sufficient resources adequately to participate in the proceeding without
compensation under this subparagraph.
In determining for purposes of clause (i) if an interest will substantially contribute to a fair determination of the issues to be resolved in a proceeding, the Administrator shall take into account
the number and complexity of such issues and the extent to which
representation of such interest will contribute to widespread public participation in the proceeding and representation of a fair balance of interests for the resolution of such issues.
(B) In determining whether compensation should be provided
to a person under subparagraph (A) and the amount of such compensation, the Administrator shall take into account the financial
burden which will be incurred by such person in participating in
the rulemaking proceeding. The Administrator shall take such
action as may be necessary to ensure that the aggregate amount of
compensation paid under this paragraph in any fiscal year to all
persons who, in rulemaking proceedings in which they receive
compensation, are persons who either—
(i) would be regulated by the proposed rule, or
(ii) represent persons who would be so regulated, may not
exceed 25 per centum of the aggregate amount paid as compensation under this paragraph to all persons in such fiscal
year.
(5) Paragraph (1), (2), (3), and (4) of this subsection apply to the
promulgation of a rule repealing, or making a substantive amendment to, a rule promulgated under subsection (a) of this section.
(d) Effective date
(1) The Administrator shall specify in any rule under subsection
(a) of this section the date on which it shall take effect, which date
shall be as soon as feasible.
(2)(A) The Administrator may declare a proposed rule under
subsection (a) of this section to be effective upon its publication in
the Federal Register and until the effective date of final action
taken, in accordance with subparagraph (B), respecting such rule
if—
(i) the Administrator determines that—
(I) the manufacture, processing, distribution in commerce, use, or disposal of the chemical substance or mixture
1040

TSCA §6

subject to such proposed rule or any combination of such activities is likely to result in an unreasonable risk of serious or
widespread injury to health or the environment before such
effective date; and
(II) making such proposed rule so effective is necessary
to protect the public interest; and
(ii) in the case of a proposed rule to prohibit the manufacture, processing, or distribution of a chemical substance or
mixture because of the risk determined under clause (i)(I), a
court has in an action under section 2606 of this title granted
relief with respect to such risk associated with such substance
or mixture.
Such a proposed rule which is made so effective shall not, for
purposes of judicial review, be considered final agency action.
(B) If the Administrator makes a proposed rule effective upon
its publication in the Federal Register, the Administrator shall, as
expeditiously as possible, give interested persons prompt notice
of such action, provide reasonable opportunity, in accordance
with paragraphs (2) and (3) of subsection (c) of this section, for a
hearing on such rule, and either promulgate such rule (as proposed or with modifications) or revoke it; and if such a hearing is
requested, the Administrator shall commence the hearing within
five days from the date such request is made unless the Administrator and the person making the request agree upon a later date
for the hearing to begin, and after the hearing is concluded the
Administrator shall, within ten days of the conclusion of the
hearing, either promulgate such rule (as proposed or with modifications) or revoke it.
(e) Polychlorinated biphenyls
(1) Within six months after January 1, 1977, the Administrator
shall promulgate rules to—
(A) prescribe methods for the disposal of polychlorinated
biphenyls, and
(B) require polychlorinated biphenyls to be marked with clear
and adequate warnings, and instructions with respect to their
processing, distribution in commerce, use, or disposal or with respect to any combination of such activities.
Requirements prescribed by rules under this paragraph shall be
consistent with the requirements of paragraphs (2) and (3).
(2)(A) Except as provided under subparagraph (B), effective one
year after January 1, 1977, no person may manufacture, process, or
distribute in commerce or use any polychlorinated biphenyl in any
manner other than in a totally enclosed manner.
(B) The Administrator may by rule authorize the manufacture,
processing, distribution in commerce or use (or any combination
of such activities) of any polychlorinated biphenyl in a manner
other than in a totally enclosed manner if the Administrator finds
that such manufacture, processing, distribution in commerce, or
use (or combination of such activities) will not present an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment.
(C) For the purposes of this paragraph, the term “totally enclosed manner” means any manner which will ensure that any exposure of human beings or the environment to a polychlorinated
biphenyl will be insignificant as determined by the Administrator by rule.
(3)(A) Except as provided in subparagraphs (B), (C), and (D)—
(i) no person may manufacture any polychlorinated
biphenyl after two years after January 1, 1977, and
(ii) no person may process or distribute in commerce any
polychlorinated biphenyl after two and one-half years after
such date.
(B) Any person may petition the Administrator for an exemption from the requirements of subparagraph (A), and the Administrator may grant by rule such an exemption if the Administrator
finds that—
(i) an unreasonable risk of injury to health or environment
would not result, and
(ii) good faith efforts have been made to develop a chemical
substance which does not present an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment and which may be substituted
for such polychlorinated biphenyl.

TSCA §7

TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT

An exemption granted under this subparagraph shall be subject to
such terms and conditions as the Administrator may prescribe
and shall be in effect for such period (but not more than 1 year
from the date it is granted, except as provided in subparagraph
(D)) as the Administrator may prescribe.
(C) Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to the distribution in
commerce of any polychlorinated biphenyl if such polychlorinated biphenyl was sold for purposes other than resale before two
and one half years after October 11, 1976.
(D) The Administrator may extend an exemption granted pursuant to subparagraph (B) that has not yet expired for a period not
to exceed 60 days for the purpose of authorizing the Secretary of
Defense and the Secretaries of the military departments to provide for the transportation into the customs territory of the United
States of polychlorinated biphenyls generated by or under the
control of the Department of Defense for purposes of their disposal, treatment, or storage in the customs territory of the United
States if those polychlorinated biphenyls are already in transit
from their storage locations but the Administrator determines, in
the sole discretion of the Administrator, they would not otherwise arrive in the customs territory of the United States within the
period of the original exemption. The Administrator shall
promptly publish notice of such extension in the Federal Register.
(4) Any rule under paragraph (1), (2)(B), or (3)(B) shall be promulgated in accordance with paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) of subsection (c) of this section.
(5) This subsection does not limit the authority of the Administrator, under any other provision of this chapter or any other Federal
law, to take action respecting any polychlorinated biphenyl.
(Pub. L. 94-469, title I, §6, Oct. 11, 1976, 90 Stat. 2020; redesignated title I,
Pub. L. 99-519, §3(c)(1), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2989, and amended Pub. L.
109-364, title III, §317(a), Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2142.)
Sunset Date
The amendments made by subsection (a) shall cease to have effect on September
30, 2012. The termination of the authority to grant exemptions pursuant to such
amendments shall not effect the validity of any exemption granted prior to such date.

§2606.

[TSCA §7]

Imminent hazards

(a) Actions authorized and required
(1) The Administrator may commence a civil action in an appropriate district court of the United States—
(A) for seizure of an imminently hazardous chemical substance or mixture or any article containing such a substance or
mixture,
(B) for relief (as authorized by subsection (b) of this section)
against any person who manufactures, processes, distributes in
commerce, or uses, or disposes of, an imminently hazardous
chemical substance or mixture or any article containing such a
substance or mixture, or
(C) for both such seizure and relief.
A civil action may be commenced under this paragraph notwithstanding the existence of a rule under section 2603, 2604, or 2605 of
this title, or subchapter IV or an order under section 2604 of this title
or subchapter IV, and notwithstanding the pendency of any administrative or judicial proceeding under any provision of this chapter.
(2) If the Administrator has not made a rule under section 2605(a)
of this title immediately effective (as authorized by section
2605(d)(2)(A)(i) of this title) with respect to an imminently hazardous chemical substance or mixture, the Administrator shall commence in a district court of the United States with respect to such
substance or mixture or article containing such substance or mixture a civil action described in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of paragraph (1).
(b) Relief authorized
(1) The district court of the United States in which an action under subsection (a) of this section is brought shall have jurisdiction to
grant such temporary or permanent relief as may be necessary to
3.

15 U.S.C. §2606

protect health or the environment from the unreasonable risk associated with the chemical substance, mixture, or article involved in
such action.
(2) In the case of an action under subsection (a) of this section
brought against a person who manufactures, processes, or distributes in commerce a chemical substance or mixture or an article containing a chemical substance or mixture, the relief authorized by
paragraph (1) may include the issuance of a mandatory order requiring (A) in the case of purchasers of such substance, mixture, or
article known to the defendant, notification to such purchasers of
the risk associated with it; (B) public notice of such risk; (C) recall;
(D) the replacement or repurchase of such substance, mixture, or article; or (E) any combination of the actions described in the preceding clauses.
(3) In the case of an action under subsection (a) of this section
against a chemical substance, mixture, or article, such substance,
mixture, or article may be proceeded against by process of libel for
its seizure and condemnation. Proceedings in such an action shall
conform as nearly as possible to proceedings in rem in admiralty.
(c) Venue and consolidation
(1)(A) An action under subsection (a) of this section against a
person who manufactures, processes, or distributes a chemical substance or mixture or an article containing a chemical substance or
mixture may be brought in the United States District Court for the
District of Columbia, or for any judicial district in which any of the
defendants is found, resides, or transacts business; and process in
such an action may be served on a defendant in any other district in
which such defendant resides or may be found. An action under
subsection (a) of this section against a chemical substance, mixture,
or article may be brought in any United States district court within
the jurisdiction of which the substance, mixture, or article is found.
(B) In determining the judicial district in which an action may
be brought under subsection (a) of this section in instances in
which such action may be brought in more than one judicial district, the Administrator shall take into account the convenience
of the parties.
(C) Subpeonas3 requiring attendance of witnesses in an action
brought under subsection (a) of this section may be served in any
judicial district.
(2) Whenever proceedings under subsection (a) of this section involving identical chemical substances, mixtures, or articles are
pending in courts in two or more judicial districts, they shall be consolidated for trial by order of any such court upon application reasonably made by any party in interest, upon notice to all parties in
interest.
(d) Action under section 2605
Where appropriate, concurrently with the filing of an action under
subsection (a) of this section or as soon thereafter as may be practicable, the Administrator shall initiate a proceeding for the promulgation
of a rule under section 2605(a) of this title.
(e) Representation
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, in any action under
subsection (a) of this section, the Administrator may direct attorneys
of the Environmental Protection Agency to appear and represent the
Administrator in such an action.
(f) “Imminently hazardous chemical substance or mixture”
defined
For the purposes of subsection (a) of this section, the term “imminently hazardous chemical substance or mixture” means a chemical
substance or mixture which presents an imminent and unreasonable
risk of serious or widespread injury to health or the environment. Such
a risk to health or the environment shall be considered imminent if it is
shown that the manufacture, processing, distribution in commerce,
use, or disposal of the chemical substance or mixture, or that any combination of such activities, is likely to result in such injury to health or
the environment before a final rule under section 2605 of this title can
protect against such risk.
(Pub. L. 94-469, title I, §7, Oct. 11, 1976, 90 Stat. 2026; redesignated title I,

So in original. Probably should be “Subpoenas”.

1041

15 U.S.C. §2607

ENVIRONMENTAL LAW DESKBOOK

Pub. L. 99-519, §3(c)(1), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2989; Pub. L. 102-550,
§1021(b)(1), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3923.)

§2607.

[TSCA §8]

Reporting and retention of information

(a) Reports
(1) The Administrator shall promulgate rules under which—
(A) each person (other than a small manufacturer or processor)
who manufactures or processes or proposes to manufacture or
process a chemical substance (other than a chemical substance
described in subparagraph (B)(ii)) shall maintain such records,
and shall submit to the Administrator such reports, as the Administrator may reasonably require, and
(B) each person (other than a small manufacturer or processor)
who manufactures or processes or proposes to manufacture or
process—
(i) a mixture, or
(ii) a chemical substance in small quantities (as defined by
the Administrator by rule) solely for purposes of scientific experimentation or analysis or chemical research on, or analysis
of, such substance or another substance, including any such research or analysis for the development of a product,
shall maintain records and submit to the Administrator reports
but only to the extent the Administrator determines the maintenance of records or submission of reports, or both, is necessary
for the effective enforcement of this chapter.
The Administrator may not require in a rule promulgated under this
paragraph the maintenance of records or the submission of reports
with respect to changes in the proportions of the components of a
mixture unless the Administrator finds that the maintenance of such
records or the submission of such reports, or both, is necessary for
the effective enforcement of this chapter. For purposes of the compilation of the list of chemical substances required under subsection
(b) of this section, the Administrator shall promulgate rules pursuant to this subsection not later than 180 days after January 1, 1977.
(2) The Administrator may require under paragraph (1) maintenance of records and reporting with respect to the following insofar
as known to the person making the report or insofar as reasonably
ascertainable:
(A) The common or trade name, the chemical identity, and the
molecular structure of each chemical substance or mixture for
which such a report is required.
(B) The categories or proposed categories of use of each such
substance or mixture.
(C) The total amount of each such substance and mixture
manufactured or processed, reasonable estimates of the total
amount to be manufactured or processed, the amount manufactured or processed for each of its categories of use, and reasonable estimates of the amount to be manufactured or processed for
each of its categories of use or proposed categories of use.
(D) A description of the byproducts resulting from the manufacture, processing, use, or disposal of each such substance or
mixture.
(E) All existing data concerning the environmental and health
effects of such substance or mixture.
(F) The number of individuals exposed, and reasonable estimates of the number who will be exposed, to such substance or
mixture in their places of employment and the duration of such
exposure.
(G) In the initial report under paragraph (1) on such substance
or mixture, the manner or method of its disposal, and in any subsequent report on such substance or mixture, any change in such
manner or method.
To the extent feasible, the Administrator shall not require under
paragraph (1), any reporting which is unnecessary or duplicative.
(3)(A)(i) The Administrator may by rule require a small manufacturer or processor of a chemical substance to submit to the Administrator such information respecting the chemical substance as
the Administrator may require for publication of the first list of
chemical substances required by subsection (b) of this section.
1042

TSCA §8

(ii) The Administrator may by rule require a small manufacturer or processor of a chemical substance or mixture—
(I) subject to a rule proposed or promulgated under section 2603, 2604(b)(4), or 2605 of this title, or an order in effect under section 2604(e) of this title, or
(II) with respect to which relief has been granted pursuant
to a civil action brought under section 2604 or 2606 of this
title, to maintain such records on such substance or mixture,
and to submit to the Administrator such reports on such substance or mixture, as the Administrator may reasonably require. A rule under this clause requiring reporting may
require reporting with respect to the matters referred to in
paragraph (2).
(B) The Administrator, after consultation with the Administrator of the Small Business Administration, shall by rule prescribe standards for determining the manufacturers and processors which qualify as small manufacturers and processors for
purposes of this paragraph and paragraph (1).
(b) Inventory
(1) The Administrator shall compile, keep current, and publish a
list of each chemical substance which is manufactured or processed
in the United States. Such list shall at least include each chemical
substance which any person reports, under section 2604 of this title
or subsection (a) of this section, is manufactured or processed in the
United States. Such list may not include any chemical substance
which was not manufactured or processed in the United States
within three years before the effective date of the rules promulgated
pursuant to the last sentence of subsection (a)(1) of this section. In
the case of a chemical substance for which a notice is submitted in
accordance with section 2604 of this title, such chemical substance
shall be included in such list as of the earliest date (as determined by
the Administrator) on which such substance was manufactured or
processed in the United States. The Administrator shall first publish
such a list not later than 315 days after January 1, 1977. The Administrator shall not include in such list any chemical substance which
is manufactured or processed only in small quantities (as defined by
the Administrator by rule) solely for purposes of scientific experimentation or analysis or chemical research on, or analysis of, such
substance or another substance, including such research or analysis
for the development of a product.
(2) To the extent consistent with the purposes of this chapter, the
Administrator may, in lieu of listing, pursuant to paragraph (1), a
chemical substance individually, list a category of chemical substances in which such substance is included.
(c) Records
Any person who manufactures, processes, or distributes in commerce any chemical substance or mixture shall maintain records of
significant adverse reactions to health or the environment, as determined by the Administrator by rule, alleged to have been caused by the
substance or mixture. Records of such adverse reactions to the health
of employees shall be retained for a period of 30 years from the date
such reactions were first reported to or known by the person maintaining such records. Any other record of such adverse reactions shall be
retained for a period of five years from the date the information contained in the record was first reported to or known by the person maintaining the record. Records required to be maintained under this subsection shall include records of consumer allegations of personal injury or harm to health, reports of occupational disease or injury, and
reports or complaints of injury to the environment submitted to the
manufacturer, processor, or distributor in commerce from any source.
Upon request of any duly designated representative of the Administrator, each person who is required to maintain records under this subsection shall permit the inspection of such records and shall submit copies
of such records.
(d) Health and safety studies
The Administrator shall promulgate rules under which the Administrator shall require any person who manufactures, processes, or distributes in commerce or who proposes to manufacture, process, or distribute in commerce any chemical substance or mixture (or with respect to paragraph (2), any person who has possession of a study) to
submit to the Administrator—

TSCA §9

TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT

(1) lists of health and safety studies (A) conducted or initiated by
or for such person with respect to such substance or mixture at any
time, (B) known to such person, or (C) reasonably ascertainable by
such person, except that the Administrator may exclude certain
types or categories of studies from the requirements of this subsection if the Administrator finds that submission of lists of such studies are unnecessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter; and
(2) copies of any study contained on a list submitted pursuant to
paragraph (1) or otherwise known by such person.
(e) Notice to Administrator of substantial risks
Any person who manufactures, processes, or distributes in commerce a chemical substance or mixture and who obtains information
which reasonably supports the conclusion that such substance or mixture presents a substantial risk of injury to health or the environment
shall immediately inform the Administrator of such information unless such person has actual knowledge that the Administrator has been
adequately informed of such information.
(f) “Manufacture” and “process” defined
For purposes of this section, the terms “manufacture” and “process”
mean manufacture or process for commercial purposes.
(Pub. L. 94-469, title I, §8, Oct. 11, 1976, 90 Stat. 2027; redesignated title I,
Pub. L. 99-519, §3(c)(1), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2989.)
Asbestos Information
Pub. L. 100-577, Oct. 31, 1988, 102 Stat. 2901, provided that:
“SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

“This Act may be cited as the ‘Asbestos Information Act of 1988’.
“SEC. 2. SUBMISSION OF INFORMATION BY MANUFACTURERS.

“Within 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 31, 1988], any
person who manufactured or processed, before the date of the enactment of this Act,
asbestos or asbestos-containing material that was prepared for sale for use as surfacing material, thermal system insulation, or miscellaneous material in buildings (or
whose corporate predecessor manufactured or processed such asbestos or material)
shall submit to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency the years
of manufacture, the types or classes of product, and, to the extent available, other
identifying characteristics reasonably necessary to identify or distinguish the asbestos or asbestos-containing material. Such person also may submit to the Administrator protocols for samples of asbestos and asbestos-containing material.
“SEC. 3. PUBLICATION OF INFORMATION.

“Within 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act (Oct. 31, 1988), the Administrator shall publish a notice in the Federal Register that explains how, when,
and where the information specified in section 2 is to be submitted. The Administrator shall receive and organize the information submitted under section 2 and, within
180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, shall publish the information. In
carrying out this section, the Administrator may not—
“(1) review the information submitted under section 2 for accuracy, or
“(2) analyze such information to determine whether it is reasonably necessary
to identify or distinguish the particular asbestos or asbestos-containing material.
“SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.

“In this Act:
“(1) The term ‘asbestos’ means—
“(A) chrysotile, amosite, or crocidolite, or
“(B) in fibrous form, tremolite, anthophyllite, or actinolite.
“(2) The term ‘asbestos-containing material’ means any material containing
more than one percent asbestos by weight.
“(3) The term ‘identifying characteristics’ means a description of asbestos or
asbestos-containing material, including—
“(A) the mineral or chemical constituents (or both) of the asbestos or material by weight or volume (or both),
“(B) the types or classes of the product in which the asbestos or material is
contained,
“(C) the designs, patterns, or textures of the product in which the asbestos or
material is contained, and
“(D) the means by which the product in which the asbestos or material is contained may be distinguishable from other products containing asbestos or
asbestos-containing material.
“(4) The term ‘miscellaneous material’ means building material on structural
components, structural members, or fixtures, such as floor and ceiling tiles. The
term does not include surfacing material or thermal system insulation.
“(5) The term ‘protocol’ means any procedure for taking, handling, and preserving samples of asbestos and asbestos-containing material and for testing and
analyzing such samples for the purpose of determining the person who manufactured or processed for sale such samples and the identifying characteristics of
such samples.
“(6) The term ‘surfacing material’ means material in a building that is sprayed
on surfaces, troweled on surfaces, or otherwise applied to surfaces for acoustical,
fireproofing, or other purposes, such as acoustical plaster on ceilings and fireproofing material on structural members.
“(7) The term ‘thermal system insulation’ means material in a building applied

15 U.S.C. §2608

to pipes, fittings, boilers, breeching, tanks, ducts, or other structural components
to prevent heat loss or gain or water condensation, or for other purposes.”

§2608. [TSCA §9]
Relationship to other Federal laws

(a) Laws not administered by the Administrator
(1) If the Administrator has reasonable basis to conclude that the
manufacture, processing, distribution in commerce, use, or disposal of a chemical substance or mixture, or that any combination
of such activities, presents or will present an unreasonable risk of
injury to health or the environment and determines, in the Administrator’s discretion, that such risk may be prevented or reduced to a
sufficient extent by action taken under a Federal law not administered by the Administrator, the Administrator shall submit to the
agency which administers such law a report which describes such
risk and includes in such description a specification of the activity
or combination of activities which the Administrator has reason to
believe so presents such risk. Such report shall also request such
agency—
(A)(i) to determine if the risk described in such report may be
prevented or reduced to a sufficient extent by action taken under
such law, and
(ii) if the agency determines that such risk may be so prevented or reduced, to issue an order declaring whether or not
the activity or combination of activities specified in the description of such risk presents such risk; and
(B) to respond to the Administrator with respect to the matters
described in subparagraph (A).
Any report of the Administrator shall include a detailed statement
of the information on which it is based and shall be published in the
Federal Register. The agency receiving a request under such a report shall make the requested determination, issue the requested order, and make the requested response within such time as the
Administrator specifies in the request, but such time specified may
not be less than 90 days from the date the request was made. The response of an agency shall be accompanied by a detailed statement
of the findings and conclusions of the agency and shall be published
in the Federal Register.
(2) If the Administrator makes a report under paragraph (1) with
respect to a chemical substance or mixture and the agency to which
such report was made either—
(A) issues an order declaring that the activity or combination
of activities specified in the description of the risk described in
the report does not present the risk described in the report, or
(B) initiates, within 90 days of the publication in the Federal
Register of the response of the agency under paragraph (1), action under the law (or laws) administered by such agency to protect against such risk associated with such activity or combination of activities,
the Administrator may not take any action under section 2605 or
2606 of this title with respect to such risk.
(3) If the Administrator has initiated action under section 2605 or
2606 of this title with respect to a risk associated with a chemical
substance or mixture which was the subject of a report made to an
agency under paragraph (1), such agency shall before taking action
under the law (or laws) administered by it to protect against such
risk consult with the Administrator for the purpose of avoiding duplication of Federal action against such risk.
(b) Laws administered by the Administrator
The Administrator shall coordinate actions taken under this chapter
with actions taken under other Federal laws administered in whole or
in part by the Administrator. If the Administrator determines that a
risk to health or the environment associated with a chemical substance
or mixture could be eliminated or reduced to a sufficient extent by actions taken under the authorities contained in such other Federal laws,
the Administrator shall use such authorities to protect against such
risk unless the Administrator determines, in the Administrator’s discretion, that it is in the public interest to protect against such risk by actions taken under this chapter. This subsection shall not be construed
to relieve the Administrator of any requirement imposed on the Administrator by such other Federal laws.
1043

15 U.S.C. §2609

ENVIRONMENTAL LAW DESKBOOK

(c) Occupational safety and health
In exercising any authority under this chapter, the Administrator
shall not, for purposes of section 653(b)(1) of title 29, be deemed to be
exercising statutory authority to prescribe or enforce standards or
regulations affecting occupational safety and health.
(d) Coordination
In administering this chapter, the Administrator shall consult and
coordinate with the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the
heads of any other appropriate Federal executive department or
agency, any relevant independent regulatory agency, and any other appropriate instrumentality of the Federal Government for the purpose
of achieving the maximum enforcement of this chapter while imposing the least burdens of duplicative requirements on those subject to
the chapter and for other purposes. The Administrator shall, in the report required by section 2629 of this title, report annually to the Congress on actions taken to coordinate with such other Federal departments, agencies, or instrumentalities, and on actions taken to coordinate the authority under this chapter with the authority granted under
other Acts referred to in subsection (b) of this section.
(Pub. L. 94-469, title I, §9, Oct. 11, 1976, 90 Stat. 2030; Pub. L. 96-88, title V,
§509(b), Oct. 17, 1979, 93 Stat. 695; redesignated title I, Pub. L. 99-519,
§3(c)(1), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2989.)
Change Of Name
“Secretary of Health and Human Services” substituted for “Secretary of Health,
Education, and Welfare” in subsec. (d), pursuant to section 509(b) of Pub. L. 96-88,
which is classified to section 3508(b) of Title 20, Education.
Termination Of Reporting Requirements
For termination, effective May 15, 2000, of provisions in subsec. (d) of this section relating to reporting certain coordinating actions annually to Congress in the report required by section 2629 of this title, see section 3003 of Pub. L. 104-66, as
amended, set out as a note under section 1113 of Title 31, Money and Finance, and
page 163 of House Document No. 103-7.

§2609.

[TSCA §10]

Research, development, collection, dissemination, and
utilization of data

(a) Authority
The Administrator shall, in consultation and cooperation with the
Secretary of Health and Human Services and with other heads of appropriate departments and agencies, conduct such research, development, and monitoring as is necessary to carry out the purposes of this
chapter. The Administrator may enter into contracts and may make
grants for research, development, and monitoring under this subsection. Contracts may be entered into under this subsection without regard to section 3324(a) and (b) of title 31 and section 5 of title 41.
(b) Data systems
(1) The Administrator shall establish, administer, and be responsible for the continuing activities of an interagency committee
which shall design, establish, and coordinate an efficient and effective system, within the Environmental Protection Agency, for the
collection, dissemination to other Federal departments and agencies,
and use of data submitted to the Administrator under this chapter.
(2)(A) The Administrator shall, in consultation and cooperation
with the Secretary of Health and Human Services and other heads of
appropriate departments and agencies design, establish, and coordinate an efficient and effective system for the retrieval of toxicological and other scientific data which could be useful to the Administrator in carrying out the purposes of this chapter. Systematized retrieval shall be developed for use by all Federal and other departments and agencies with responsibilities in the area of regulation or
study of chemical substances and mixtures and their effect on health
or the environment.
(B) The Administrator, in consultation and cooperation with
the Secretary of Health and Human Services, may make grants
and enter into contracts for the development of a data retrieval
system described in subparagraph (A). Contracts may be entered
into under this subparagraph without regard to section 3324(a)
and (b) of title 31 and section 5 of title 41.
(c) Screening techniques
The Administrator shall coordinate, with the Assistant Secretary
for Health of the Department of Health and Human Services, research
1044

TSCA §10

undertaken by the Administrator and directed toward the development
of rapid, reliable, and economical screening techniques for carcinogenic, mutagenic, teratogenic, and ecological effects of chemical substances and mixtures.
(d) Monitoring
The Administrator shall, in consultation and cooperation with the
Secretary of Health and Human Services, establish and be responsible
for research aimed at the development, in cooperation with local,
State, and Federal agencies, of monitoring techniques and instruments
which may be used in the detection of toxic chemical substances and
mixtures and which are reliable, economical, and capable of being implemented under a wide variety of conditions.
(e) Basic research
The Administrator shall, in consultation and cooperation with the
Secretary of Health and Human Services, establish research programs
to develop the fundamental scientific basis of the screening and monitoring techniques described in subsections (c) and (d) of this section,
the bounds of the reliability of such techniques, and the opportunities
for their improvement.
(f) Training
The Administrator shall establish and promote programs and workshops to train or facilitate the training of Federal laboratory and technical personnel in existing or newly developed screening and monitoring techniques.
(g) Exchange of research and development results
The Administrator shall, in consultation with the Secretary of
Health and Human Services and other heads of appropriate departments and agencies, establish and coordinate a system for exchange
among Federal, State, and local authorities of research and development results respecting toxic chemical substances and mixtures, including a system to facilitate and promote the development of standard data format and analysis and consistent testing procedures.
(Pub. L. 94-469, title I, §10, Oct. 11, 1976, 90 Stat. 2031; Pub. L. 96-88, title V,
§509(b), Oct. 17, 1979, 93 Stat. 695; redesignated title I, Pub. L. 99-519,
§3(c)(1), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2989.)
Codification
In subsecs. (a) and (b)(2)(B), “section 3324(a) and (b) of title 31” substituted for
references to section 3648 of the Revised Statutes (31 U.S.C. 529) on authority of
Pub. L. 97-258, Sec. 4(b), Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 1067, the first section of which enacted Title 31, Money and Finance.
Change Of Name
“Secretary of Health and Human Services” substituted for “Secretary of Health,
Education, and Welfare” in subsecs. (a), (b)(2), (d), (e), and (g), and “Department of
Health and Human Services” substituted for “Department of Health, Education, and
Welfare” in subsec. (c), pursuant to section 509(b) of Pub. L. 96-88, which is classified to section 3508(b) of Title 20, Education.
Availability Of Grants
Grants awarded under this section are available for research, development, monitoring, public education, training, demonstrations, and studies, beginning in fiscal
year 2000 and thereafter, see provisions of title III of Pub. L. 106-74, set out as a note
under section 136r of Title 7, Agriculture.

§2610. [TSCA §11]
Inspections and subpoenas

(a) In general
For purposes of administering this chapter, the Administrator, and
any duly designated representative of the Administrator, may inspect
any establishment, facility, or other premises in which chemical substances, mixtures, or products subject to subchapter IV are manufactured, processed, stored, or held before or after their distribution in
commerce and any conveyance being used to transport chemical substances, mixtures, such products, or such articles in connection with
distribution in commerce. Such an inspection may only be made upon
the presentation of appropriate credentials and of a written notice to
the owner, operator, or agent in charge of the premises or conveyance
to be inspected. A separate notice shall be given for each such inspection, but a notice shall not be required for each entry made during the
period covered by the inspection. Each such inspection shall be commenced and completed with reasonable promptness and shall be conducted at reasonable times, within reasonable limits, and in a reasonable manner.

TSCA §14

TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT

(b) Scope
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), an inspection conducted
under subsection (a) of this section shall extend to all things within
the premises or conveyance inspected (including records, files, papers, processes, controls, and facilities) bearing on whether the requirements of this chapter applicable to the chemical substances,
mixtures, or products subject to subchapter IV within such premises
or conveyance have been complied with.
(2) No inspection under subsection (a) of this section shall extend
to—
(A) financial data,
(B) sales data (other than shipment data),
(C) pricing data,
(D) personnel data, or
(E) research data (other than data required by this chapter or
under a rule promulgated thereunder),
unless the nature and extent of such data are described with reasonable specificity in the written notice required by subsection (a) of
this section for such inspection.
(c) Subpoenas
In carrying out this chapter, the Administrator may by subpoena require the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of
reports, papers, documents, answers to questions, and other information that the Administrator deems necessary. Witnesses shall be paid
the same fees and mileage that are paid witnesses in the courts of the
United States. In the event of contumacy, failure, or refusal of any person to obey any such subpoena, any district court of the United States
in which venue is proper shall have jurisdiction to order any such person to comply with such subpoena. Any failure to obey such an order
of the court is punishable by the court as a contempt thereof.
(Pub. L. 94-469, title I, §11, Oct. 11, 1976, 90 Stat. 2032; redesignated title I,
Pub. L. 99-519, §3(c)(1), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2989; Pub. L. 102-550,
§1021(b), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3923.)

§2611.

[TSCA §12]

Exports

(a) In general
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) and subsection (b) of this
section, this chapter (other than section 2607 of this title) shall not
apply to any chemical substance, mixture, or to an article containing
a chemical substance or mixture, if—
(A) it can be shown that such substance, mixture, or article is
being manufactured, processed, or distributed in commerce for
export from the United States, unless such substance, mixture, or
article was, in fact, manufactured, processed, or distributed in
commerce, for use in the United States, and
(B) such substance, mixture, or article (when distributed in
commerce), or any container in which it is enclosed (when so distributed), bears a stamp or label stating that such substance, mixture, or article is intended for export.
(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to any chemical substance, mixture, or article if the Administrator finds that the substance, mixture,
or article will present an unreasonable risk of injury to health within
the United States or to the environment of the United States. The
Administrator may require, under section 2603 of this title, testing
of any chemical substance or mixture exempted from this chapter
by paragraph (1) for the purpose of determining whether or not such
substance or mixture presents an unreasonable risk of injury to
health within the United States or to the environment of the United
States.
(b) Notice
(1) If any person exports or intends to export to a foreign country
a chemical substance or mixture for which the submission of data is
required under section 2603 or 2604(b) of this title, such person
shall notify the Administrator of such exportation or intent to export
and the Administrator shall furnish to the government of such country notice of the availability of the data submitted to the Administrator under such section for such substance or mixture.
(2) If any person exports or intends to export to a foreign country
a chemical substance or mixture for which an order has been issued
under section 2604 of this title or a rule has been proposed or prom-

15 U.S.C. §2613

ulgated under section 2604 or 2605 of this title, or with respect to
which an action is pending, or relief has been granted under section
2604 or 2606 of this title, such person shall notify the Administrator
of such exportation or intent to export and the Administrator shall
furnish to the government of such country notice of such rule, order,
action, or relief.
(Pub. L. 94-469, title I, §12, Oct. 11, 1976, 90 Stat. 2033; redesignated title I,
Pub. L. 99-519, §3(c)(1), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2989.)

§2612. [TSCA §13]
Entry into customs territory of the United States

(a) In general
(1) The Secretary of the Treasury shall refuse entry into the customs territory of the United States (as defined in general note 2 of
the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States) of any chemical substance, mixture, or article containing a chemical substance
or mixture offered for such entry if—
(A) it fails to comply with any rule in effect under this chapter,
or
(B) it is offered for entry in violation of section 2604 or 2605 of
this title, or subchapter IV, a rule or order under section 2604 or
2605 of this title, or subchapter IV, or an order issued in a civil action brought under section 2604 or 2606 of this title, or subchapter IV.
(2) If a chemical substance, mixture, or article is refused entry
under paragraph (1), the Secretary of the Treasury shall notify the
consignee of such entry refusal, shall not release it to the consignee,
and shall cause its disposal or storage (under such rules as the Secretary of the Treasury may prescribe) if it has not been exported by the
consignee within 90 days from the date of receipt of notice of such
refusal, except that the Secretary of the Treasury may, pending a review by the Administrator of the entry refusal, release to the consignee such substance, mixture, or article on execution of bond for
the amount of the full invoice of such substance, mixture, or article
(as such value is set forth in the customs entry), together with the
duty thereon. On failure to return such substance, mixture, or article
for any cause to the custody of the Secretary of the Treasury when
demanded, such consignee shall be liable to the United States for
liquidated damages equal to the full amount of such bond. All
charges for storage, cartage, and labor on and for disposal of substances, mixtures, or articles which are refused entry or release under this section shall be paid by the owner or consignee, and in default of such payment shall constitute a lien against any future entry
made by such owner or consignee.
(b) Rules
The Secretary of the Treasury, after consultation with the Administrator, shall issue rules for the administration of subsection (a) of this
section.
(Pub. L. 94-469, title I, §13, Oct. 11, 1976, 90 Stat. 2034; redesignated title I,
Pub. L. 99-519, §3(c)(1), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2989; amended Pub. L. 100418, title I, §1214(e)(2), Aug. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 1156; Pub. L. 102-550,
§1021(b)(4), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3923.)
References In Text
The Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, referred to in subsec. (a), is
not set out in the Code. See Publication of Harmonized Tariff Schedule note set out
under section 1202 of Title 19, Customs Duties.
Effective Date Of 1988 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 100-418 effective Jan. 1, 1989, and applicable with respect to articles entered on or after such date, see section 1217(b)(1) of Pub. L. 100418, set out as an Effective Date note under section 3001 of Title 19, Customs Duties.

§2613. [TSCA §14]
Disclosure of data

(a) In general
Except as provided by subsection (b) of this section, any information reported to, or otherwise obtained by, the Administrator (or any
representative of the Administrator) under this chapter, which is exempt from disclosure pursuant to subsection (a) of section 552 of title
5 by reason of subsection (b)(4) of such section, shall, notwithstanding the provisions of any other section of this chapter, not be disclosed
1045

15 U.S.C. §2614

ENVIRONMENTAL LAW DESKBOOK

by the Administrator or by any officer or employee of the United
States, except that such information—
(1) shall be disclosed to any officer or employee of the United
States—
(A) in connection with the official duties of such officer or employee under any law for the protection of health or the environment, or
(B) for specific law enforcement purposes;
(2) shall be disclosed to contractors with the United States and
employees of such contractors if in the opinion of the Administrator
such disclosure is necessary for the satisfactory performance by the
contractor of a contract with the United States entered into on or after October 11, 1976, for the performance of work in connection
with this chapter and under such conditions as the Administrator
may specify;
(3) shall be disclosed if the Administrator determines it necessary to protect health or the environment against an unreasonable
risk of injury to health or the environment; or
(4) may be disclosed when relevant in any proceeding under this
chapter, except that disclosure in such a proceeding shall be made in
such manner as to preserve confidentiality to the extent practicable
without impairing the proceeding.
In any proceeding under section 552(a) of title 5 to obtain information
the disclosure of which has been denied because of the provisions of
this subsection, the Administrator may not rely on section 552(b)(3) of
such title to sustain the Administrator’s action.
(b) Data from health and safety studies
(1) Subsection (a) does not prohibit the disclosure of—
(A) any health and safety study which is submitted under this
chapter with respect to—
(i) any chemical substance or mixture which, on the date on
which such study is to be disclosed has been offered for commercial distribution, or
(ii) any chemical substance or mixture for which testing is
required under section 2603 of this title or for which notification is required under section 2604 of this title, and
(B) any data reported to, or otherwise obtained by, the Administrator from a health and safety study which relates to a chemical
substance or mixture described in clause (i) or (ii) of subparagraph (A).
This paragraph does not authorize the release of any data which discloses processes used in the manufacturing or processing of a
chemical substance or mixture or, in the case of a mixture, the release of data disclosing the portion of the mixture comprised by any
of the chemical substances in the mixture.
(2) If a request is made to the Administrator under subsection (a)
of section 552 of title 5 for information which is described in the
first sentence of paragraph (1) and which is not information described in the second sentence of such paragraph, the Administrator
may not deny such request on the basis of subsection (b)(4) of such
section.
(c) Designation and release of confidential data
(1) In submitting data under this chapter, a manufacturer, processor, or distributor in commerce may (A) designate the data which
such person believes is entitled to confidential treatment under subsection (a) of this section, and (B) submit such designated data
separately from other data submitted under this chapter. A designation under this paragraph shall be made in writing and in such manner as the Administrator may prescribe.
(2)(A) Except as provided by subparagraph (B), if the Administrator proposes to release for inspection data which has been designated under paragraph (1)(A), the Administrator shall notify, in
writing and by certified mail, the manufacturer, processor, or distributor in commerce who submitted such data of the intent to release such data. If the release of such data is to be made pursuant to a
request made under section 552(a) of title 5, such notice shall be
given immediately upon approval of such request by the Administrator. The Administrator may not release such data until the expiration of 30 days after the manufacturer, processor, or distributor in
commerce submitting such data has received the notice required by
this subparagraph.
1046

TSCA §15

(B)(i) Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to the release of information under paragraph (1), (2), (3), or (4) of subsection (a) of
this section, except that the Administrator may not release data
under paragraph (3) of subsection (a) of this section unless the
Administrator has notified each manufacturer, processor, and
distributor in commerce who submitted such data of such release.
Such notice shall be made in writing by certified mail at least 15
days before the release of such data, except that if the Administrator determines that the release of such data is necessary to protect against an imminent, unreasonable risk of injury to health or
the environment, such notice may be made by such means as the
Administrator determines will provide notice at least 24 hours
before such release is made.
(ii) Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to the release of information described in subsection (b)(1) of this section other
than information described in the second sentence of such
subsection.
(d) Criminal penalty for wrongful disclosure
(1) Any officer or employee of the United States or former officer
or employee of the United States, who by virtue of such employment or official position has obtained possession of, or has access
to, material the disclosure of which is prohibited by subsection (a)
of this section, and who knowing that disclosure of such material is
prohibited by such subsection, willfully discloses the material in
any manner to any person not entitled to receive it, shall be guilty of
a misdemeanor and fined not more than $5,000 or imprisoned for
not more than one year, or both. Section 1905 of title 18 does not apply with respect to the publishing, divulging, disclosure, or making
known of, or making available, information reported or otherwise
obtained under this chapter.
(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1), any contractor with the
United States who is furnished information as authorized by subsection (a)(2) of this section, and any employee of any such contractor, shall be considered to be an employee of the United States.
(e) Access by Congress
Notwithstanding any limitation contained in this section or any
other provision of law, all information reported to or otherwise obtained by the Administrator (or any representative of the Administrator) under this chapter shall be made available, upon written request of any duly authorized committee of the Congress, to such
committee.
(Pub. L. 94-469, title I, §14, Oct. 11, 1976, 90 Stat. 2034; redesignated title I,
Pub. L. 99-519, §3(c)(1), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2989.)

§2614. [TSCA §15]
Prohibited acts

It shall be unlawful for any person to—
(1) fail or refuse to comply with (A) any rule promulgated or order issued under section 2603 of this title, (B) any requirement prescribed by section 2604 or 2605 of this title, (C) any rule promulgated or order issued under section 2604 or 2605 of this title, or (D)
any requirement of subchapter II of this chapter or any rule promulgated or order issued under subchapter II of this chapter;
(2) use for commercial purposes a chemical substance or mixture
which such person knew or had reason to know was manufactured,
processed, or distributed in commerce in violation of section 2604
or 2605 of this title, a rule or order under section 2604 or 2605 of this
title, or an order issued in action brought under section 2604 or 2606
of this title;
(3) fail or refuse to (A) establish or maintain records, (B) submit
reports, notices, or other information, or (C) permit access to or
copying of records, as required by this chapter or a rule thereunder;
or
(4) fail or refuse to permit entry or inspection as required by section 2610 of this title.
(Pub. L. 94-469, title I, §15, Oct. 11, 1976, 90 Stat. 2036; redesignated title I
and amended Pub. L. 99-519, §3(b)(1), (c)(1), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2988,
2989.)

TSCA §18

§2615.

TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT

[TSCA §16]

Penalties

(a) Civil
(1) Any person who violates a provision of section 2614 or 2689
of this title shall be liable to the United States for a civil penalty in an
amount not to exceed $25,000 for each such violation. Each day
such a violation continues shall, for purposes of this subsection,
constitute a separate violation of section 2614 or 2689 of this title.
(2)(A) A civil penalty for a violation of section 2614 or 2689 of
this title shall be assessed by the Administrator by an order made on
the record after opportunity (provided in accordance with this subparagraph) for a hearing in accordance with section 554 of title 5.
Before issuing such an order, the Administrator shall give written
notice to the person to be assessed a civil penalty under such order
of the Administrator’s proposal to issue such order and provide
such person an opportunity to request, within 15 days of the date the
notice is received by such person, such a hearing on the order.
(B) In determining the amount of a civil penalty, the Administrator shall take into account the nature, circumstances, extent,
and gravity of the violation or violations and, with respect to the
violator, ability to pay, effect on ability to continue to do business, any history of prior such violations, the degree of culpability, and such other matters as justice may require.
(C) The Administrator may compromise, modify, or remit,
with or without conditions, any civil penalty which may be imposed under this subsection. The amount of such penalty, when
finally determined, or the amount agreed upon in compromise,
may be deducted from any sums owing by the United States to the
person charged.
(3) Any person who requested in accordance with paragraph
(2)(A) a hearing respecting the assessment of a civil penalty and
who is aggrieved by an order assessing a civil penalty may file a petition for judicial review of such order with the United States Court
of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit or for any other circuit in which such person resides or transacts business. Such a petition may only be filed within the 30-day period beginning on the
date the order making such assessment was issued.
(4) If any person fails to pay an assessment of a civil penalty—
(A) after the order making the assessment has become a final
order and if such person does not file a petition for judicial review
of the order in accordance with paragraph (3), or
(B) after a court in an action brought under paragraph (3) has
entered a final judgment in favor of the Administrator, the Attorney General shall recover the amount assessed (plus interest at
currently prevailing rates from the date of the expiration of the
30-day period referred to in paragraph (3) or the date of such final
judgment, as the case may be) in an action brought in any appropriate district court of the United States. In such an action, the validity, amount, and appropriateness of such penalty shall not be
subject to review.
(b) Criminal
Any person who knowingly or willfully violates any provision of
section 2614 or 2689 of this title, shall, in addition to or in lieu of any
civil penalty which may be imposed under subsection (a) of this section for such violation, be subject, upon conviction, to a fine of not
more than $25,000 for each day of violation, or to imprisonment for
not more than one year, or both.
(Pub. L. 94-469, title I, §16, Oct. 11, 1976, 90 Stat. 2037; redesignated title I,
Pub. L. 99-519, §3(c)(1), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2989; Pub. L. 102-550,
§1021(b)(5), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3923.)

§2616.

[TSCA §17]

Specific enforcement and seizure

(a) Specific enforcement
(1) The district courts of the United States shall have jurisdiction
over civil actions to—
(A) restrain any violation of section 2614 or 2689 of this title,
(B) restrain any person from taking any action prohibited by
section 2604 or 2605 of this title, or subchapter IV, or by a rule or
order under section 2604 or 2605 of this title, or subchapter IV,

15 U.S.C. §2617

(C) compel the taking of any action required by or under this
chapter, or
(D) direct any manufacturer or processor of a chemical substance, mixture, or product subject to subchapter IV manufactured or processed in violation of section 2604 or 2605 of this title, or subchapter IV, or a rule or order under section 2604 or
2605 of this title, or subchapter IV, and distributed in commerce,
(i) to give notice of such fact to distributors in commerce of such
substance, mixture, or product and, to the extent reasonably ascertainable, to other persons in possession of such substance,
mixture, or product or exposed to such substance, mixture, or
product, (ii) to give public notice of such risk of injury, and (iii) to
either replace or repurchase such substance, mixture, or product,
whichever the person to which the requirement is directed elects.
(2) A civil action described in paragraph (1) may be brought—
(A) in the case of a civil action described in subparagraph (A)
of such paragraph, in the United States district court for the judicial district wherein any act, omission, or transaction constituting a violation of section 2614 of this title occurred or wherein
the defendant is found or transacts business, or
(B) in the case of any other civil action described in such paragraph, in the United States district court for the judicial district
wherein the defendant is found or transacts business. In any such
civil action process may be served on a defendant in any judicial
district in which a defendant resides or may be found. Subpoenas
requiring attendance of witnesses in any such action may be
served in any judicial district.
(b) Seizure
Any chemical substance, mixture, or product subject to subhchapter IV which was manufactured, processed, or distributed in commerce in violation of this chapter or any rule promulgated or order issued under this chapter or any article containing such a substance or
mixture shall be liable to be proceeded against, by process of libel, for
the seizure and condemnation of such substance, mixture, product, or
article, in any district court of the United States within the jurisdiction
of which such substance, mixture, product, or article is found. Such
proceedings shall conform as nearly as possible to proceedings in rem
in admiralty.
(Pub. L. 94-469, title I, §17, Oct. 11, 1976, 90 Stat. 2037; redesignated title I,
Pub. L. 99-519, §3(c)(1), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2989; Pub. L. 102-550,
§1021(b), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3923.)

§2617. [TSCA §18]
Preemption

(a) Effect on State law
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), nothing in this chapter
shall affect the authority of any State or political subdivision of a
State to establish or continue in effect regulation of any chemical
substance, mixture, or article containing a chemical substance or
mixture.
(2) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section—
(A) if the Administrator requires by a rule promulgated under
section 2603 of this title the testing of a chemical substance or
mixture, no State or political subdivision may, after the effective
date of such rule, establish or continue in effect a requirement for
the testing of such substance or mixture for purposes similar to
those for which testing is required under such rule; and
(B) if the Administrator prescribes a rule or order under section 2604 or 2605 of this title (other than a rule imposing a requirement described in subsection (a)(6) of section 2605 of this
title) which is applicable to a chemical substance or mixture, and
which is designed to protect against a risk of injury to health or
the environment associated with such substance or mixture, no
State or political subdivision of a State may, after the effective
date of such requirement, establish or continue in effect, any requirement which is applicable to such substance or mixture, or an
article containing such substance or mixture, and which is designed to protect against such risk unless such requirement (i) is
identical to the requirement prescribed by the Administrator, (ii)
is adopted under the authority of the Clean Air Act [42 U.S.C.
7401 et seq.] or any other Federal law, or (iii) prohibits the use of
1047

15 U.S.C. §2618

ENVIRONMENTAL LAW DESKBOOK

such substance or mixture in such State or political subdivision
(other than its use in the manufacture or processing of other substances or mixtures).
(b) Exemption
Upon application of a State or political subdivision of a State the
Administrator may by rule exempt from subsection (a)(2) of this section, under such conditions as may be prescribed in such rule, a requirement of such State or political subdivision designed to protect
against a risk of injury to health or the environment associated with a
chemical substance, mixture, or article containing a chemical substance or mixture if—
(1) compliance with the requirement would not cause the manufacturing, processing, distribution in commerce, or use of the substance, mixture, or article to be in violation of the applicable requirement under this chapter described in subsection (a)(2) of this
section, and
(2) the State or political subdivision requirement (A) provides a
significantly higher degree of protection from such risk than the requirement under this chapter described in subsection (a)(2) of this
section and (B) does not, through difficulties in marketing, distribution, or other factors, unduly burden interstate commerce.
(Pub. L. 94-469, title I, §18, Oct. 11, 1976, 90 Stat. 2038; redesignated title I,
Pub. L. 99-519, §3(c)(1), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2989.)
References In Text
The Clean Air Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(2)(B), is act July 14, 1955, ch. 360, 69
Stat. 322, as amended, which is classified generally to chapter 85 (Sec. 7401 et seq.)
of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to
the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 7401 of Title 42 and Tables.

§2618.

[TSCA §19]

Judicial review

(a) In general
(1)(A) Not later than 60 days after the date of the promulgation of
a rule under section 2603(a), 2604(a)(2), 2604(b)(4), 2605(a),
2605(e), or 2607 of this title, or under subchapter II or IV of this
chapter, any person may file a petition for judicial review of such
rule with the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit or for the circuit in which such person resides or in
which such person’s principal place of business is located. Courts
of appeals of the United States shall have exclusive jurisdiction of
any action to obtain judicial review (other than in an enforcement
proceeding) of such a rule if any district court of the United States
would have had jurisdiction of such action but for this subparagraph.
(B) Courts of appeals of the United States shall have exclusive
jurisdiction of any action to obtain judicial review (other than in
an enforcement proceeding) of an order issued under subparagraph (A) or (B) of section 2605(b)(1) of this title if any district
court of the United States would have had jurisdiction of such action but for this subparagraph.
(2) Copies of any petition filed under paragraph (1)(A) shall be
transmitted forthwith to the Administrator and to the Attorney General by the clerk of the court with which such petition was filed. The
provisions of section 2112 of title 28 shall apply to the filing of the
rulemaking record of proceedings on which the Administrator
based the rule being reviewed under this section and to the transfer
of proceedings between United States courts of appeals.
(3) For purposes of this section, the term “rulemaking record” means—
(A) the rule being reviewed under this section;
(B) in the case of a rule under section 2603(a) of this title, the
finding required by such section, in the case of a rule under section 2604(b)(4) of this title, the finding required by such section,
in the case of a rule under section 2605(a) of this title the finding
required by section 2604(f) or 2605(a) of this title, as the case
may be, in the case of a rule under section 2605(a) of this title, the
statement required by section 2605(c)(1) of this title, and in the
case of a rule under section 2605(e) of this title, the findings required by paragraph (2)(B) or (3)(B) of such section, as the case
may be4 and in the case of a rule under subchapter IV, the finding
required for the issuance of such a rule;
4.

1048

So in original. Probably should be followed by a comma.

TSCA §19

(C) any transcript required to be made of oral presentations
made in proceedings for the promulgation of such rule;
(D) any written submission of interested parties respecting the
promulgation of such rule; and
(E) any other information which the Administrator considers
to be relevant to such rule and which the Administrator identified, on or before the date of the promulgation of such rule, in a
notice published in the Federal Register.
(b) Additional submissions and presentations; modifications
If in an action under this section to review a rule the petitioner or the
Administrator applies to the court for leave to make additional oral
submissions or written presentations respecting such rule and shows
to the satisfaction of the court that such submissions and presentations
would be material and that there were reasonable grounds for the submissions and failure to make such submissions and presentations in
the proceeding before the Administrator, the court may order the Administrator to provide additional opportunity to make such submissions and presentations. The Administrator may modify or set aside
the rule being reviewed or make a new rule by reason of the additional
submissions and presentations and shall file such modified or new rule
with the return of such submissions and presentations. The court shall
thereafter review such new or modified rule.
(c) Standard of review
(1)(A) Upon the filing of a petition under subsection (a)(1) of this
section for judicial review of a rule, the court shall have jurisdiction
(i) to grant appropriate relief, including interim relief, as provided in
chapter 7 of title 5, and (ii) except as otherwise provided in subparagraph (B), to review such rule in accordance with chapter 7 of title 5.
(B) Section 706 of title 5 shall apply to review of a rule under
this section, except that—
(i) in the case of review of a rule under section 2603(a),
2604(b)(4), 2605(a), or 2605(e) of this title, the standard for
review prescribed by paragraph (2)(E) of such section 706
shall not apply and the court shall hold unlawful and set aside
such rule if the court finds that the rule is not supported by substantial evidence in the rulemaking record (as defined in subsection (a)(3) of this section) taken as a whole;
(ii) in the case of review of a rule under section 2605(a) of
this title, the court shall hold unlawful and set aside such rule if
it finds that—
(I) a determination by the Administrator under section
2605(c)(3) of this title that the petitioner seeking review of
such rule is not entitled to conduct (or have conducted)
cross-examination or to present rebuttal submissions, or
(II) a rule of, or ruling by, the Administrator under section
2605(c)(3) of this title limiting such petitioner’s crossexamination or oral presentations,
has precluded disclosure of disputed material facts which was
necessary to a fair determination by the Administrator of the
rulemaking proceeding taken as a whole; and section
706(2)(D) shall not apply with respect to a determination, rule,
or ruling referred to in subclause (I) or (II); and
(iii) the court may not review the contents and adequacy of—
(I) any statement required to be made pursuant to section
2605(c)(1) of this title, or
(II) any statement of basis and purpose required by section 553(c) of title 5 to be incorporated in the rule
except as part of a review of the rulemaking record taken as a
whole.
The term “evidence” as used in clause (i) means any matter in the
rulemaking record.
(C) A determination, rule, or ruling of the Administrator
described in subparagraph (B)(ii) may be reviewed only in an
action under this section and only in accordance with such
subparagraph.
(2) The judgment of the court affirming or setting aside, in whole
or in part, any rule reviewed in accordance with this section shall be
final, subject to review by the Supreme Court of the United States
upon certiorari or certification, as provided in section 1254 of title 28.

TSCA §21

TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT

(d) Fees and costs
The decision of the court in an action commenced under subsection
(a) of this section, or of the Supreme Court of the United States on review of such a decision, may include an award of costs of suit and reasonable fees for attorneys and expert witnesses if the court determines
that such an award is appropriate.
(e) Other remedies
The remedies as provided in this section shall be in addition to and
not in lieu of any other remedies provided by law.
(Pub. L. 94-469, title I, §19, Oct. 11, 1976, 90 Stat. 2039; redesignated title I
and amended Pub. L. 99-519, §3(b)(2), (c)(1), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2989;
Pub. L. 102-550, §1021(b)(8), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3923.)

§2619.

[TSCA §20]

Citizens’ civil actions

(a) In general
Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, any person may
commence a civil action—
(1) against any person (including (A) the United States, and (B)
any other governmental instrumentality or agency to the extent permitted by the eleventh amendment to the Constitution) who is alleged to be in violation of this chapter or any rule promulgated under section 2603, 2604, or 2605 of this title, or subchapter II or IV of
this chapter, or order issued under section 2604 of this title or subchapter II or IV of this chapter to restrain such violation, or
(2) against the Administrator to compel the Administrator to perform any act or duty under this chapter which is not discretionary.
Any civil action under paragraph (1) shall be brought in the United
States district court for the district in which the alleged violation occurred or in which the defendant resides or in which the defendant’s
principal place of business is located. Any action brought under paragraph (2) shall be brought in the United States District Court for the
District of Columbia, or the United States district court for the judicial
district in which the plaintiff is domiciled. The district courts of the
United States shall have jurisdiction over suits brought under this section, without regard to the amount in controversy or the citizenship of
the parties. In any civil action under this subsection process may be
served on a defendant in any judicial district in which the defendant resides or may be found and subpoenas for witnesses may be served in
any judicial district.
(b) Limitation
No civil action may be commenced—
(1) under subsection (a)(1) of this section to restrain a violation of
this chapter or rule or order under this chapter—
(A) before the expiration of 60 days after the plaintiff has
given notice of such violation (i) to the Administrator, and (ii) to
the person who is alleged to have committed such violation, or
(B) if the Administrator has commenced and is diligently
prosecuting a proceeding for the issuance of an order under section 2615(a)(2) of this title to require compliance with this chapter or with such rule or order or if the Attorney General has commenced and is diligently prosecuting a civil action in a court of
the United States to require compliance with this chapter or with
such rule or order, but if such proceeding or civil action is commenced after the giving of notice, any person giving such notice
may intervene as a matter of right in such proceeding or action; or
(2) under subsection (a)(2) of this section before the expiration of
60 days after the plaintiff has given notice to the Administrator of
the alleged failure of the Administrator to perform an act or duty
which is the basis for such action or, in the case of an action under
such subsection for the failure of the Administrator to file an action
under section 2606 of this title, before the expiration of ten days after such notification. Notice under this subsection shall be given in
such manner as the Administrator shall prescribe by rule.
(c) General
(1) In any action under this section, the Administrator, if not a
party, may intervene as a matter of right.
(2) The court, in issuing any final order in any action brought pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, may award costs of suit and
reasonable fees for attorneys and expert witnesses if the court deter-

15 U.S.C. §2620

mines that such an award is appropriate. Any court, in issuing its decision in an action brought to review such an order, may award costs
of suit and reasonable fees for attorneys if the court determines that
such an award is appropriate.
(3) Nothing in this section shall restrict any right which any person (or class of persons) may have under any statute or common law
to seek enforcement of this chapter or any rule or order under this
chapter or to seek any other relief.
(d) Consolidation
When two or more civil actions brought under subsection (a) of this
section involving the same defendant and the same issues or violations
are pending in two or more judicial districts, such pending actions,
upon application of such defendants to such actions which is made to a
court in which any such action is brought, may, if such court in its discretion so decides, be consolidated for trial by order (issued after giving all parties reasonable notice and opportunity to be heard) of such
court and tried in—
(1) any district which is selected by such defendant and in which
one of such actions is pending,
(2) a district which is agreed upon by stipulation between all the
parties to such actions and in which one of such actions is pending,
or
(3) a district which is selected by the court and in which one of
such actions is pending.
The court issuing such an order shall give prompt notification of the
order to the other courts in which the civil actions consolidated under
the order are pending.
(Pub. L. 94-469, title I, §20, Oct. 11, 1976, 90 Stat. 2041; redesignated title I
and amended Pub. L. 99-519, §3(b)(3), (c)(1), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2989;
Pub. L. 102-550, §1021(b)(9), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3923.)

§2620. [TSCA §21]
Citizens’ petitions

(a) In general
Any person may petition the Administrator to initiate a proceeding
for the issuance, amendment, or repeal of a rule under section 2603,
2605, or 2607 of this title or an order under section 2604(e) or
2605(b)(2) of this title.
(b) Procedures
(1) Such petition shall be filed in the principal office of the Administrator and shall set forth the facts which it is claimed establish
that it is necessary to issue, amend, or repeal a rule under section
2603, 2605, or 2607 of this title or an order under section 2604(e),
2605(b)(1)(A), or 2605(b)(1)(B) of this title.
(2) The Administrator may hold a public hearing or may conduct
such investigation or proceeding as the Administrator deems appropriate in order to determine whether or not such petition should
be granted.
(3) Within 90 days after filing of a petition described in paragraph (1), the Administrator shall either grant or deny the petition.
If the Administrator grants such petition, the Administrator shall
promptly commence an appropriate proceeding in accordance with
section 2603, 2604, 2605, or 2607 of this title. If the Administrator
denies such petition, the Administrator shall publish in the Federal
Register the Administrator’s reasons for such denial.
(4)(A) If the Administrator denies a petition filed under this section (or if the Administrator fails to grant or deny such petition
within the 90-day period) the petitioner may commence a civil action in a district court of the United States to compel the Administrator to initiate a rulemaking proceeding as requested in the petition. Any such action shall be filed within 60 days after the Administrator’s denial of the petition or, if the Administrator fails to grant
or deny the petition within 90 days after filing the petition, within
60 days after the expiration of the 90-day period.
(B) In an action under subparagraph (A) respecting a petition
to initiate a proceeding to issue a rule under section 2603, 2605,
or 2607 of this title or an order under section 2604(e) or
2605(b)(2) of this title, the petitioner shall be provided an opportunity to have such petition considered by the court in a de novo
proceeding. If the petitioner demonstrates to the satisfaction of
the court by a preponderance of the evidence that—
1049

15 U.S.C. §2621

ENVIRONMENTAL LAW DESKBOOK

(i) in the case of a petition to initiate a proceeding for the issuance of a rule under section 2603 of this title or an order under section 2604(e) of this title—
(I) information available to the Administrator is insufficient to permit a reasoned evaluation of the health and environmental effects of the chemical substance to be subject to
such rule or order; and
(II) in the absence of such information, the substance may
present an unreasonable risk to health or the environment,
or the substance is or will be produced in substantial quantities and it enters or may reasonably be anticipated to enter
the environment in substantial quantities or there is or may
be significant or substantial human exposure to it; or
(ii) in the case of a petition to initiate a proceeding for the issuance of a rule under section 2605 or 2607 of this title or an
order under section 2605(b)(2) of this title, there is a reasonable basis to conclude that the issuance of such a rule or order
is necessary to protect health or the environment against an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment.5
the court shall order the Administrator to initiate the action requested by the petitioner. If the court finds that the extent of the
risk to health or the environment alleged by the petitioner is less
than the extent of risks to health or the environment with respect
to which the Administrator is taking action under this chapter and
there are insufficient resources available to the Administrator to
take the action requested by the petitioner, the court may permit
the Administrator to defer initiating the action requested by the
petitioner until such time as the court prescribes.
(C) The court in issuing any final order in any action brought
pursuant to subparagraph (A) may award costs of suit and reasonable fees for attorneys and expert witnesses if the court determines that such an award is appropriate. Any court, in issuing its
decision in an action brought to review such an order, may award
costs of suit and reasonable fees for attorneys if the court determines that such an award is appropriate.
(5) The remedies under this section shall be in addition to, and not
in lieu of, other remedies provided by law.
(Pub. L. 94-469, title I, §21, Oct. 11, 1976, 90 Stat. 2042; redesignated title I,
Pub. L. 99-519, §3(c)(1), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2989.)

§2621.

[TSCA §22]

National defense waiver

The Administrator shall waive compliance with any provision of
this chapter upon a request and determination by the President that the
requested waiver is necessary in the interest of national defense. The
Administrator shall maintain a written record of the basis upon which
such waiver was granted and make such record available for in camera
examination when relevant in a judicial proceeding under this chapter.
Upon the issuance of such a waiver, the Administrator shall publish in
the Federal Register a notice that the waiver was granted for national
defense purposes, unless, upon the request of the President, the Administrator determines to omit such publication because the publication itself would be contrary to the interests of national defense, in
which event the Administrator shall submit notice thereof to the
Armed Services Committees of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
(Pub. L. 94-469, title I, §22, Oct. 11, 1976, 90 Stat. 2044; redesignated title I,
Pub. L. 99-519, §3(c)(1), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2989.)

§2622.

[TSCA §23]

Employee protection

(a) In general
No employer may discharge any employee or otherwise discriminate against any employee with respect to the employee’s compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment because the employee (or any person acting pursuant to a request of the employee)
has—

5.

1050

So in original. The period probably should be a semicolon.

TSCA §22

(1) commenced, caused to be commenced, or is about to commence or cause to be commenced a proceeding under this chapter;
(2) testified or is about to testify in any such proceeding; or
(3) assisted or participated or is about to assist or participate in
any manner in such a proceeding or in any other action to carry out
the purposes of this chapter.
(b) Remedy
(1) Any employee who believes that the employee has been discharged or otherwise discriminated against by any person in violation of subsection (a) of this section may, within 30 days after such
alleged violation occurs, file (or have any person file on the employee’s behalf) a complaint with the Secretary of Labor (hereinafter in this section referred to as the “Secretary”) alleging such discharge or discrimination. Upon receipt of such a complaint, the Secretary shall notify the person named in the complaint of the filing of
the complaint.
(2)(A) Upon receipt of a complaint filed under paragraph (1), the
Secretary shall conduct an investigation of the violation alleged in
the complaint. Within 30 days of the receipt of such complaint, the
Secretary shall complete such investigation and shall notify in writing the complainant (and any person acting on behalf of the complainant) and the person alleged to have committed such violation
of the results of the investigation conducted pursuant to this paragraph. Within ninety days of the receipt of such complaint the Secretary shall, unless the proceeding on the complaint is terminated by
the Secretary on the basis of a settlement entered into by the Secretary
and the person alleged to have committed such violation, issue an order either providing the relief prescribed by subparagraph (B) or denying the complaint. An order of the Secretary shall be made on the
record after notice and opportunity for agency hearing. The Secretary
may not enter into a settlement terminating a proceeding on a complaint without the participation and consent of the complainant.
(B) If in response to a complaint filed under paragraph (1) the
Secretary determines that a violation of subsection (a) of this section has occurred, the Secretary shall order (i) the person who
committed such violation to take affirmative action to abate the
violation, (ii) such person to reinstate the complainant to the
complainant’s former position together with the compensation
(including back pay), terms, conditions, and privileges of the
complainant’s employment, (iii) compensatory damages, and
(iv) where appropriate, exemplary damages. If such an order issued, the Secretary, at the request of the complainant, shall assess
against the person against whom the order is issued a sum equal
to the aggregate amount of all costs and expenses (including attorney’s fees) reasonably incurred, as determined by the Secretary, by the complainant for, or in connection with, the bringing
of the complaint upon which the order was issued.
(c) Review
(1) Any employee or employer adversely affected or aggrieved
by an order issued under subsection (b) of this section may obtain
review of the order in the United States Court of Appeals for the circuit in which the violation, with respect to which the order was issued, allegedly occurred. The petition for review must be filed
within sixty days from the issuance of the Secretary’s order. Review shall conform to chapter 7 of title 5.
(2) An order of the Secretary, with respect to which review could
have been obtained under paragraph (1), shall not be subject to judicial review in any criminal or other civil proceeding.
(d) Enforcement
Whenever a person has failed to comply with an order issued under
subsection (b)(2) of this section, the Secretary shall file a civil action
in the United States district court for the district in which the violation
was found to occur to enforce such order. In actions brought under this
subsection, the district courts shall have jurisdiction to grant all appropriate relief, including injunctive relief and compensatory and exemplary damages.
(e) Exclusion
Subsection (a) of this section shall not apply with respect to any em-

TSCA §26

TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT

ployee who, acting without direction from the employee’s employer
(or any agent of the employer), deliberately causes a violation of any
requirement of this chapter.
(Pub. L. 94-469, title I, §23, Oct. 11, 1976, 90 Stat. 2044; Pub. L. 98-620, title
IV, §402(19), Nov. 8, 1984, 98 Stat. 3358; redesignated title I, Pub. L. 99-519,
§3(c)(1), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2989.)
Effective Date Of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 98-620 not applicable to cases pending on Nov. 8, 1984,
see section 403 of Pub. L. 98-620, set out as an Effective Date note under section
1657 of Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure.

§2623.

[TSCA §24]

Employment effects

(a) In general
The Administrator shall evaluate on a continuing basis the potential
effects on employment (including reductions in employment or loss of
employment from threatened plant closures) of—
(1) the issuance of a rule or order under section 2603, 2604, or
2605 of this title, or
(2) a requirement of section 2604 or 2605 of this title.
(b) Investigations
(1) Any employee (or any representative of an employee) may request the Administrator to make an investigation of—
(A) a discharge or layoff or threatened discharge or layoff of
the employee, or
(B) adverse or threatened adverse effects on the employee’s
employment,
allegedly resulting from a rule or order under section 2603, 2604, or
2605 of this title or a requirement of section 2604 or 2605 of this title. Any such request shall be made in writing, shall set forth with
reasonable particularity the grounds for the request, and shall be
signed by the employee, or representative of such employee, making the request.
(2)(A) Upon receipt of a request made in accordance with paragraph (1) the Administrator shall (i) conduct the investigation requested, and (ii) if requested by any interested person, hold public
hearings on any matter involved in the investigation unless the Administrator, by order issued within 45 days of the date such hearings
are requested, denies the request for the hearings because the Administrator determines there are no reasonable grounds for holding
such hearings. If the Administrator makes such a determination, the
Administrator shall notify in writing the person requesting the hearing of the determination and the reasons therefor and shall publish
the determination and the reasons therefor in the Federal Register.
(B) If public hearings are to be held on any matter involved in
an investigation conducted under this subsection—
(i) at least five days’ notice shall be provided the person
making the request for the investigation and any person identified in such request,
(ii) such hearings shall be held in accordance with section
2605(c)(3) of this title, and
(iii) each employee who made or for whom was made a request for such hearings and the employer of such employee
shall be required to present information respecting the applicable matter referred to in paragraph (1)(A) or (1)(B) together
with the basis for such information.
(3) Upon completion of an investigation under paragraph (2), the
Administrator shall make findings of fact, shall make such recommendations as the Administrator deems appropriate, and shall make
available to the public such findings and recommendations.
(4) This section shall not be construed to require the Administrator to amend or repeal any rule or order in effect under this chapter.
(Pub. L. 94-469, title I, §24, Oct. 11, 1976, 90 Stat. 2045; redesignated title I,
Pub. L. 99-519, §3(c)(1), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2989.)

§2624.

[TSCA §25]

Studies

(a) Indemnification study
The Administrator shall conduct a study of all Federal laws administered by the Administrator for the purpose of determining whether
and under what conditions, if any, indemnification should be accorded

15 U.S.C. §2625

any person as a result of any action taken by the Administrator under
any such law. The study shall—
(1) include an estimate of the probable cost of any indemnification programs which may be recommended;
(2) include an examination of all viable means of financing the
cost of any recommended indemnification; and
(3) be completed and submitted to Congress within two years
from the effective date of enactment of this chapter.
The General Accounting Office shall review the adequacy of the study
submitted to Congress pursuant to paragraph (3) and shall report the
results of its review to the Congress within six months of the date such
study is submitted to Congress.
(b) Classification, storage, and retrieval study
The Council on Environmental Quality, in consultation with the
Administrator, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Secretary of Commerce, and the heads of other appropriate Federal departments or agencies, shall coordinate a study of the feasibility of establishing (1) a standard classification system for chemical substances
and related substances, and (2) a standard means for storing and for
obtaining rapid access to information respecting such substances. A
report on such study shall be completed and submitted to Congress
not later than 18 months after the effective date of enactment of this
chapter.
(Pub. L. 94-469, title I, §25, Oct. 11, 1976, 90 Stat. 2046; Pub. L. 96-88, title V,
§509(b), Oct. 17, 1979, 93 Stat. 695; redesignated title I, Pub. L. 99-519,
§3(c)(1), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2989.)
References In Text
The effective date of enactment of this chapter, referred to in subsecs. (a)(3) and
(b), probably means January 1, 1977, the effective date of the chapter prescribed by
sec. 31 of Pub. L. 94-469, which is set out as a note under section 2601 of this title,
rather than October 11, 1976, the date of enactment.
Change Of Name
General Accounting Office redesignated Government Accountability Office by
section 8 of Pub. L. 108-271, set out as a note under section 702 of Title 31, Money
and Finance.
“Secretary of Health and Human Services” substituted for “Secretary of Health,
Education, and Welfare” in subsec. (b), pursuant to section 509(b) of Pub. L. 96-88,
which is classified to section 3508(b) of Title 20, Education.

§2625. [TSCA §26]
Administration

(a) Cooperation of Federal agencies
Upon request by the Administrator, each Federal department and
agency is authorized—
(1) to make its services, personnel, and facilities available (with
or without reimbursement) to the Administrator to assist the Administrator in the administration of this chapter; and
(2) to furnish to the Administrator such information, data, estimates, and statistics, and to allow the Administrator access to all information in its possession as the Administrator may reasonably determine to be necessary for the administration of this chapter.
(b) Fees
(1) The Administrator may, by rule, require the payment of a reasonable fee from any person required to submit data under section
2603 or 2604 of this title to defray the cost of administering this
chapter. Such rules shall not provide for any fee in excess of $2,500
or, in the case of a small business concern, any fee in excess of $100.
In setting a fee under this paragraph, the Administrator shall take
into account the ability to pay of the person required to submit the
data and the cost to the Administrator of reviewing such data. Such
rules may provide for sharing such a fee in any case in which the expenses of testing are shared under section 2603 or 2604 of this title.
(2) The Administrator, after consultation with the Administrator
of the Small Business Administration, shall by rule prescribe standards for determining the persons which qualify as small business
concerns for purposes of paragraph (1).
(c) Action with respect to categories
(1) Any action authorized or required to be taken by the Administrator under any provision of this chapter with respect to a chemical
substance or mixture may be taken by the Administrator in accordance with that provision with respect to a category of chemical
1051

15 U.S.C. §2626

ENVIRONMENTAL LAW DESKBOOK

substances or mixtures. Whenever the Administrator takes action
under a provision of this chapter with respect to a category of
chemical substances or mixtures, any reference in this chapter to a
chemical substance or mixture (insofar as it relates to such action)
shall be deemed to be a reference to each chemical substance or
mixture in such category.
(2) For purposes of paragraph (1):
(A) The term “category of chemical substances” means a
group of chemical substances the members of which are similar
in molecular structure, in physical, chemical, or biological properties, in use, or in mode of entrance into the human body or into
the environment, or the members of which are in some other way
suitable for classification as such for purposes of this chapter, except that such term does not mean a group of chemical substances
which are grouped together solely on the basis of their being new
chemical substances.
(B) The term “category of mixtures” means a group of mixtures the members of which are similar in molecular structure, in
physical, chemical, or biological properties, in use, or in the
mode of entrance into the human body or into the environment,
or the members of which are in some other way suitable for classification as such for purposes of this chapter.
(d) Assistance office
The Administrator shall establish in the Environmental Protection
Agency an identifiable office to provide technical and other nonfinancial assistance to manufacturers and processors of chemical substances and mixtures respecting the requirements of this chapter applicable to such manufacturers and processors, the policy of the Agency
respecting the application of such requirements to such manufacturers
and processors, and the means and methods by which such manufacturers and processors may comply with such requirements.
(e) Financial disclosures
(1) Except as provided under paragraph (3), each officer or employee of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Health and Human Services who—
(A) performs any function or duty under this chapter, and
(B) has any known financial interest (i) in any person subject
to this chapter or any rule or order in effect under this chapter, or
(ii) in any person who applies for or receives any grant or contract
under this chapter,
shall, on February 1, 1978, and on February 1 of each year thereafter, file with the Administrator or the Secretary of Health and Human Services (hereinafter in this subsection referred to as the
“Secretary”), as appropriate, a written statement concerning all
such interests held by such officer or employee during the preceding calendar year. Such statement shall be made available to the
public.
(2) The Administrator and the Secretary shall—
(A) act within 90 days of January 1, 1977—
(i) to define the term “known financial interests” for purposes of paragraph (1), and
(ii) to establish the methods by which the requirement to file
written statements specified in paragraph (1) will be monitored and enforced, including appropriate provisions for review by the Administrator and the Secretary of such
statements; and
(B) report to the Congress on June 1, 1978, and on June 1 of
each year thereafter with respect to such statements and the actions taken in regard thereto during the preceding calendar year.
(3) The Administrator may by rule identify specific positions
with the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Secretary may
by rule identify specific positions with the Department of Health
and Human Services, which are of a nonregulatory or nonpolicymaking nature, and the Administrator and the Secretary may by rule
provide that officers or employees occupying such positions shall
be exempt from the requirements of paragraph (1).
(4) This subsection does not supersede any requirement of chapter 11 of title 18.
(5) Any officer or employee who is subject to, and knowingly
violates, this subsection or any rule issued thereunder, shall be fined
not more than $2,500 or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.
1052

TSCA §27

(f) Statement of basis and purpose
Any final order issued under this chapter shall be accompanied by a
statement of its basis and purpose. The contents and adequacy of any
such statement shall not be subject to judicial review in any respect.
(g) Assistant Administrator
(1) The President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall appoint an Assistant Administrator for Toxic Substances
of the Environmental Protection Agency. Such Assistant Administrator shall be a qualified individual who is, by reason of background and experience, especially qualified to direct a program
concerning the effects of chemicals on human health and the environment. Such Assistant Administrator shall be responsible for (A)
the collection of data, (B) the preparation of studies, (C) the making
of recommendations to the Administrator for regulatory and other
actions to carry out the purposes and to facilitate the administration
of this chapter, and (D) such other functions as the Administrator
may assign or delegate.
(2) The Assistant Administrator to be appointed under paragraph
(1) shall be in addition to the Assistant Administrators of the Environmental Protection Agency authorized by section 1(d) of Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970.
(Pub. L. 94-469, title I, §26, Oct. 11, 1976, 90 Stat. 2046; Pub. L. 96-88, title V,
§509(b), Oct. 17, 1979, 93 Stat. 695; Pub. L. 98-80, §2(c)(2)(A), Aug. 23,
1983, 97 Stat. 485; redesignated title I, Pub. L. 99-519, §3(c)(1), Oct. 22, 1986,
100 Stat. 2989.)
References In Text
Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, referred to in text, is set out in the Appendix to
Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.
Change Of Name
“Department of Health and Human Services” substituted for “Department of
Health, Education, and Welfare” in subsec. (e)(1), (3), and “Secretary of Health and
Human Services” substituted for “Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare” in
subsec. (e)(1), pursuant to section 509(b) of Pub. L. 96-88, which is classified to section 3508(b) of Title 20, Education.
Termination Of Reporting Requirements
For termination, effective May 15, 2000, of provisions in subsec. (e)(2)(B) of this
section relating to annual reports to Congress, see section 3003 of Pub. L. 104-66, as
amended, set out as a note under section 1113 of Title 31, Money and Finance, and
pages 93 and 164 of House Document No. 103-7.

§2626. [TSCA §27]
Development and evaluation of test methods

(a) In general
The Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with
the Administrator and acting through the Assistant Secretary for
Health, may conduct, and make grants to public and nonprofit private
entities and enter into contracts with public and private entities for,
projects for the development and evaluation of inexpensive and efficient methods (1) for determining and evaluating the health and environmental effects of chemical substances and mixtures, and their toxicity, persistence, and other characteristics which affect health and the
environment, and (2) which may be used for the development of test
data to meet the requirements of rules promulgated under section 2603
of this title. The Administrator shall consider such methods in prescribing under section 2603 of this title standards for the development
of test data.
(b) Approval by Secretary
No grant may be made or contract entered into under subsection
(a) of this section unless an application therefor has been submitted
to and approved by the Secretary. Such an application shall be submitted in such form and manner and contain such information as the
Secretary may require. The Secretary may apply such conditions to
grants and contracts under subsection (a) of this section as the Secretary determines are necessary to carry out the purposes of such
subsection. Contracts may be entered into under such subsection
without regard to section 3324(a) and (b) of title 31 and section 5 of
title 41.
(c) Repealed. Pub. L. 104-66, Sec. 1061(a), Dec. 21, 1995, 109
Stat. 719.
(Pub. L. 94-469, title I, §27, Oct. 11, 1976, 90 Stat. 2049; Pub. L. 96-88, title V,
§509(b), Oct. 17, 1979, 93 Stat. 695; redesignated title I, Pub. L. 99-519,

TSCA §28

TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT

§3(c)(1), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2989; Pub. L. 104-66, §1061(a), Dec. 21,
1995, 109 Stat. 719.)
Codification
In subsec. (b), “section 3324(a) and (b) and title 31” substituted for reference to
section 3648 of the Revised Statutes (31 U.S.C. 529) on authority of Pub. L. 97-258,
Sec. 4(b), Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 1067, the first section of which enacted Title 31,
Money and Finance.
Change Of Name
“Secretary of Health and Human Services” substituted for “Secretary of Health,
Education, and Welfare” in subsec. (a), pursuant to section 509(b) of Pub. L. 96-88,
which is classified to section 3508(b) of Title 20, Education.

§2627.

[TSCA §28]

State programs

(a) In general
For the purpose of complementing (but not reducing) the authority
of, or actions taken by, the Administrator under this chapter, the Administrator may make grants to States for the establishment and operation of programs to prevent or eliminate unreasonable risks within the
States to health or the environment which are associated with a chemical substance or mixture and with respect to which the Administrator
is unable or is not likely to take action under this chapter for their prevention or elimination. The amount of a grant under this subsection
shall be determined by the Administrator, except that no grant for any
State program may exceed 75 per centum of the establishment and
operation costs (as determined by the Administrator) of such program during the period for which the grant is made.
(b) Approval by Administrator
(1) No grant may be made under subsection (a) of this section
unless an application therefor is submitted to and approved by
the Administrator. Such an application shall be submitted in such
form and manner as the Administrator may require and shall—
(A) set forth the need of the applicant for a grant under subsection (a) of this section,
(B) identify the agency or agencies of the State which shall establish or operate, or both, the program for which the application
is submitted,
(C) describe the actions proposed to be taken under such
program,
(D) contain or be supported by assurances satisfactory to the
Administrator that such program shall, to the extent feasible, be
integrated with other programs of the applicant for environmental and public health protection,
(E) provide for the making of such reports and evaluations as
the Administrator may require, and
(F) contain such other information as the Administrator may
prescribe.
(2) The Administrator may approve an application submitted in
accordance with paragraph (1) only if the applicant has established
to the satisfaction of the Administrator a priority need, as determined under rules of the Administrator, for the grant for which the
application has been submitted. Such rules shall take into consideration the seriousness of the health effects in a State which are associated with chemical substances or mixtures, including cancer,
birth defects, and gene mutations, the extent of the exposure in a
State of human beings and the environment to chemical substances
and mixtures, and the extent to which chemical substances and mixtures are manufactured, processed, used, and disposed of in a State.
(c) Annual reports
Not later than six months after the end of each of the fiscal years

15 U.S.C. §2627

1979, 1980, and 1981, the Administrator shall submit to the Congress
a report respecting the programs assisted by grants under subsection
(a) of this section in the preceding fiscal year and the extent to which
the Administrator has disseminated information respecting such
programs.
(d) Authorization
For the purpose of making grants under subsection (a) of this section, there are authorized to be appropriated $1,500,000 for each of the
fiscal years 1982 and 1983. Sums appropriated under this subsection
shall remain available until expended.
(Pub. L. 94-469, title I, §28, Oct. 11, 1976, 90 Stat. 2049; Pub. L. 97-129, §1(a),
Dec. 29, 1981, 95 Stat. 1686; redesignated title I, Pub. L. 99-519, §3(c)(1), Oct.
22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2989.)

§2628. [TSCA §29]
Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator for
purposes of carrying out this chapter (other than sections 2626 and
2627 of this title and subsections (a) and (c) through (g) of section
2609 of this title) $58,646,000 for the fiscal year 1982 and
$62,000,000 for the fiscal year 1983. No part of the funds appropriated under this section may be used to construct any research laboratories.
(Pub. L. 94-469, title I, §29, Oct. 11, 1976, 90 Stat. 2050; Pub. L. 97-129, §1(b),
Dec. 29, 1981, 95 Stat. 1686; redesignated title I, Pub. L. 99-519, §3(c)(1), Oct.
22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2989.)

§2629. [TSCA §30]
Annual report

The Administrator shall prepare and submit to the President and
the Congress on or before January 1, 1978, and on or before January
1 of each succeeding year a comprehensive report on the administration of this chapter during the preceding fiscal year. Such reports
shall include—
(1) a list of the testing required under section 2603 of this title
during the year for which the report is made and an estimate of the
costs incurred during such year by the persons required to perform
such tests;
(2) the number of notices received during such year under section
2604 of this title, the number of such notices received during such
year under such section for chemical substances subject to a rule,
and a summary of any action taken during such year under section
2604(g) of this title;
(3) a list of rules issued during such year under section 2605 of
this title;
(4) a list, with a brief statement of the issues, of completed or
pending judicial actions under this chapter and administrative actions under section 2615 of this title during such year;
(5) a summary of major problems encountered in the administration of this chapter; and
(6) such recommendations for additional legislation as the
Administrator deems necessary to carry out the purposes of this
chapter.
(Pub. L. 94-469, title I, §30, Oct. 11, 1976, 90 Stat. 2050; redesignated title I,
Pub. L. 99-519, §3(c)(1), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2989.)
Termination Of Reporting Requirements
For termination, effective May 15, 2000, of provisions in this section relating to
submitting annual reports to Congress, see section 3003 of Pub. L. 104-66, as
amended, set out as a note under section 1113 of Title 31, Money and Finance, and
page 163 of House Document No. 103-7.

1053

15 U.S.C. §2641

ENVIRONMENTAL LAW DESKBOOK

TSCA §201

Subchapter II—Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response
§2641.

[TSCA §201]

Congressional findings and purpose

(a) Findings
The Congress finds the following:
(1) The Environmental Protection Agency’s rule on local educational agency inspection for, and notification of, the presence
of friable asbestos-containing material in school buildings includes neither standards for the proper identification of
asbestos-containing material and appropriate response actions
with respect to friable asbestos-containing material, nor a requirement that response actions with respect to friable asbestoscontaining material be carried out in a safe and complete manner
once actions are found to be necessary. As a result of the lack of
regulatory guidance from the Environmental Protection Agency,
some schools have not undertaken response action while many
others have undertaken expensive projects without knowing if
their action is necessary, adequate, or safe. Thus, the danger of
exposure to asbestos continues to exist in schools, and some exposure actually may have increased due to the lack of Federal
standards and improper response action.
(2) There is no uniform program for accrediting persons involved in asbestos identification and abatement, nor are local
educational agencies required to use accredited contractors for
asbestos work.
(3) The guidance provided by the Environmental Protection Agency in its “Guidance for Controlling AsbestosContaining Material in Buildings” is insufficient in detail to
ensure adequate responses. Such guidance is intended to be
used only until the regulations required by this subchapter
become effective.
(4) Because there are no Federal standards whatsoever regulating
daily exposure to asbestos in other public and commercial buildings, persons in addition to those comprising the Nation’s school
population may be exposed daily to asbestos.
(b) Purpose
The purpose of this subchapter is—
(1) to provide for the establishment of Federal regulations which
require inspection for asbestos-containing material and implementation of appropriate response actions with respect to asbestoscontaining material in the Nation’s schools in a safe and complete
manner;
(2) to mandate safe and complete periodic reinspection of
school buildings following response actions, where appropriate;
and
(3) to require the Administrator to conduct a study to find out the
extent of the danger to human health posed by asbestos in public
and commercial buildings and the means to respond to any such
danger.
(Pub. L. 94-469, title II, §201, as added Pub. L. 99-519, §2, Oct. 22, 1986, 100
Stat. 2970.)

§2642.

[TSCA §202]

Definitions

For purposes of this subchapter—
(1) Accredited asbestos contractor
The term “accredited asbestos contractor” means a person
accredited pursuant to the provisions of section 2646 of this
title.
(2) Administrator
The term “Administrator” means the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
(3) Asbestos
The term “asbestos” means asbestiform varieties of—
(A) chrysotile (serpentine),
(B) crocidolite (riebeckite),
(C) amosite (cummingtonite-grunerite),
(D) anthophyllite,
1054

(E) tremolite, or
(F) actinolite.
(4) Asbestos-containing material
The term “asbestos-containing material” means any material
which contains more than 1 percent asbestos by weight.
(5) EPA guidance document
The term “Guidance for Controlling Asbestos-Containing Material in Buildings”, means the Environmental Protection Agency
document with such title as in effect on March 31, 1986.
(6) Friable asbestos-containing material
The term “friable asbestos-containing material” means any
asbestos-containing material applied on ceilings, walls, structural
members, piping, duct work, or any other part of a building which
when dry may be crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder by
hand pressure. The term includes non-friable asbestos-containing
material after such previously non-friable material becomes damaged to the extent that when dry it may be crumbled, pulverized, or
reduced to powder by hand pressure.
(7) Local educational agency
The term “local educational agency” means—
(A) any local educational agency as defined in section 7801 of
title 20,
(B) the owner of any private, nonprofit elementary or secondary school building, and
(C) the governing authority of any school operated under the
defense dependents’ education system provided for under the
Defense Dependents’ Education Act of 1978 (20 U.S.C. 921 et
seq.).
(8) Most current guidance document
The term “most current guidance document” means the Environmental Protection Agency’s “Guidance for Controlling AsbestosContaining Material in Buildings” as modified by the Environmental Protection Agency after March 31, 1986.
(9) Non-profit elementary or secondary school
The term “non-profit elementary or secondary school” means
any elementary or secondary school (as defined in section 7801 of
title 20) owned and operated by one or more nonprofit corporations
or associations no part of the net earnings of which inures, or may
lawfully inure, to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual.
(10) Public and commercial building
The term “public and commercial building” means any building which is not a school building, except that the term does not
include any residential apartment building of fewer than 10
units.
(11) Response action
The term “response action” means methods that protect human
health and the environment from asbestos-containing material.
Such methods include methods described in chapters 3 and 5 of the
Environmental Protection Agency’s “Guidance for Controlling
Asbestos-Containing Materials in Buildings”.
(12) School
The term “school” means any elementary or secondary school as
defined in section 7801 of title 20.
(13) School building
The term “school building” means—
(A) any structure suitable for use as a classroom, including a
school facility such as a laboratory, library, school eating facility,
or facility used for the preparation of food,
(B) any gymnasium or other facility which is specially designed for athletic or recreational activities for an academic
course in physical education,
(C) any other facility used for the instruction of students or for
the administration of educational or research programs, and
(D) any maintenance, storage, or utility facility, including any
hallway, essential to the operation of any facility described in
subparagraphs (A), (B), or (C).

TSCA §203

TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT

(14) State
The term “State” means a State, the District of Columbia, the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the
Northern Marianas, the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, and
the Virgin Islands.
(Pub. L. 94-469, title II, §202, as added Pub. L. 99-519, §2, Oct. 22, 1986, 100
Stat. 2971; Pub. L. 103-382, §391(c), Oct. 20, 1994, 108 Stat. 4022; Pub. L.
107-110, title X, §1076(f)(1), Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 2091.)
References In Text
The Defense Dependents’ Education Act of 1978, referred to in par. (7)(C), is title
XIV of Pub. L. 95-561, Nov. 1, 1978, 92 Stat. 2365, as amended, which is classified
principally to chapter 25A (Sec. 921 et seq.) of Title 20, Education. For complete
classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 921 of
Title 20 and Tables.
Effective Date of 2002 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 107-110 effective Jan. 8, 2002, except with respect to certain noncompetitive programs and competitive programs, see section 5 of Pub. L.
107-110, set out as an Effective Date note under section 6301 of Title 20, Education.
Termination Of Trust Territory Of The Pacific Islands
For termination of Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, see note set out preceding
section 1681 of Title 48, Territories and Insular Possessions.

§2643.

[TSCA §203]

EPA regulations

(a) In general
Within 360 days after October 22, 1986, the Administrator shall
promulgate regulations as described in subsections (b) through (i) of
this section. With respect to regulations described in subsections (b),
(c), (d), (e), (f), (g), and (i) of this section, the Administrator shall issue
an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking within 60 days after October 22, 1986, and shall propose regulations within 180 days after October 22, 1986. Any regulation promulgated under this section must
protect human health and the environment.
(b) Inspection
The Administrator shall promulgate regulations which prescribe
procedures, including the use of personnel accredited under section
2646(b) or (c) of this title and laboratories accredited under section
2646(d) of this title, for determining whether asbestos-containing
material is present in a school building under the authority of a local
educational agency. The regulations shall provide for the exclusion
of any school building, or portion of a school building, if (1) an inspection of such school building (or portion) was completed before
the effective date of the regulations, and (2) the inspection meets
the procedures and other requirements of the regulations under this
subchapter or of the “Guidance for Controlling AsbestosContaining Materials in Buildings” (unless the Administrator determines that an inspection in accordance with the guidance document is inadequate). The regulations shall require inspection of any
school building (or portion of a school building) that is not excluded by the preceding sentence.
(c) Circumstances requiring response actions
(1) The Administrator shall promulgate regulations which define the appropriate response action in a school building under
the authority of a local educational agency in at least the following circumstances:
(A) Damage
Circumstances in which friable asbestos-containing material or
its covering is damaged, deteriorated, or delaminated.
(B) Significant damage
Circumstances in which friable asbestos-containing material or
its covering is significantly damaged, deteriorated, or delaminated.
(C) Potential damage
Circumstances in which—
(i) friable asbestos-containing material is in an area regularly
used by building occupants, including maintenance personnel, in
the course of their normal activities, and
(ii) there is a reasonable likelihood that the material or its covering will become damaged, deteriorated, or delaminated.
6.

15 U.S.C. §2643

(D) Potential significant damage
Circumstances in which—
(i) friable asbestos-containing material is in an area regularly
used by building occupants, including maintenance personnel, in
the course of their normal activities, and
(ii) there is a reasonable likelihood that the material or its covering will become significantly damaged, deteriorated, or delaminated.
(2) In promulgating such regulations, the Administrator shall
consider and assess the value of various technologies intended to
improve the decisionmaking process regarding response actions
and the quality of any work that is deemed necessary, including air
monitoring and chemical encapsulants.
(d) Response actions
(1) In general
The Administrator shall promulgate regulations describing a response action in a school building under the authority of a local educational agency, using the least burdensome methods which protect
human health and the environment. In determining the least burdensome methods, the Administrator shall take into account local
circumstances, including occupancy and use patterns within the
school building and short- and long-term costs.
(2) Response action for damaged asbestos
In the case of a response action for the circumstances described
in subsection (c)(1)(A) of this section, methods for responding shall
include methods identified in chapters 3 and 5 of the “Guidance for
Controlling Asbestos-Containing Material in Buildings”.
(3) Response action for significantly damaged asbestos
In the case of a response action for the circumstances described
in subsection (c)(1)(B) of this section, methods for responding shall
include methods identified in chapter 5 of the “Guidance for Controlling Asbestos-Containing Material in Buildings”.
(4) Response action for potentially damaged asbestos
In the case of a response action for the circumstances described
in subsection (c)(1)(C) of this section, methods for responding shall
include methods identified in chapters 3 and 5 of the “Guidance for
Controlling Asbestos-Containing Material in Buildings”, unless
preventive measures will eliminate the reasonable likelihood that
the asbestos-containing material will become damaged, deteriorated, or delaminated.
(5) Response action for potentially significantly damaged
asbestos
In the case of a response action for the circumstances described
in subsection (c)(1)(D) of this section, methods for responding shall
include methods identified in chapter 5 of the “Guidance for Controlling Asbestos-Containing Material in Buildings”, unless preventive measures will eliminate the reasonable likelihood that the
asbestos-containing material will become significantly damaged,
deteriorated, or delaminated.
(6) “Preventive measures” defined
For purposes of this section, the term “preventive measures”
means actions which eliminate the reasonable likelihood of
asbestos-containing material becoming damaged, deteriorated, or
delaminated, or significantly damaged6 deteriorated, or delaminated (as the case may be) or which protect human health and the
environment.
(7) EPA information or advisory
The Administrator shall, not later than 30 days after November
28, 1990, publish and distribute to all local education agencies and
State Governors information or an advisory to—
(A) facilitate public understanding of the comparative risks associated with in-place management of asbestos-containing
building materials and removals;
(B) promote the least burdensome response actions necessary
to protect human health, safety, and the environment; and
(C) describe the circumstances in which asbestos removal is
necessary to protect human health.
Such information or advisory shall be based on the best available

So in original. Probably should be followed by a comma.

1055

15 U.S.C. §2643

ENVIRONMENTAL LAW DESKBOOK

scientific evidence and shall be revised, republished, and redistributed as appropriate, to reflect new scientific findings.
(e) Implementation
The Administrator shall promulgate regulations requiring the implementation of response actions in school buildings under the
authority of a local educational agency and, where appropriate, for
the determination of when a response action is completed. Such
regulations shall include standards for the education and protection
of both workers and building occupants for the following phases of
activity:
(1) Inspection.
(2) Response Action.7
(3) Post-response action, including any periodic reinspection of
asbestos-containing material and long-term surveillance activity.
(f) Operations and maintenance
The Administrator shall promulgate regulations to require implementation of an operations and maintenance and repair program as described in chapter 3 of the “Guidance for Controlling AsbestosContaining Materials in Buildings” for all friable asbestos-containing
material in a school building under the authority of a local educational
agency.
(g) Periodic surveillance
The Administrator shall promulgate regulations to require the
following:
(1) An identification of the location of friable and non-friable asbestos in a school building under the authority of a local educational
agency.
(2) Provisions for surveillance and periodic reinspection of such
friable and non-friable asbestos.
(3) Provisions for education of school employees, including
school service and maintenance personnel, about the location of
and safety procedures with respect to such friable and non-friable
asbestos.
(h) Transportation and disposal
The Administrator shall promulgate regulations which prescribe
standards for transportation and disposal of asbestos-containing waste
material to protect human health and the environment. Such regulations shall include such provisions related to the manner in which
transportation vehicles are loaded and unloaded as will assure the
physical integrity of containers of asbestos-containing waste material.
(i) Management plans
(1) In general
The Administrator shall promulgate regulations which require
each local educational agency to develop an asbestos management
plan for school buildings under its authority, to begin implementation of such plan within 990 days after October 22, 1986, and to
complete implementation of such plan in a timely fashion. The
regulations shall require that each plan include the following elements, wherever relevant to the school building:
(A) An inspection statement describing inspection and response action activities carried out before October 22, 1986.
(B) A description of the results of the inspection conducted
pursuant to regulations under subsection (b) of this section, including a description of the specific areas inspected.
(C) A detailed description of measures to be taken to respond
to any friable asbestos-containing material pursuant to the regulations promulgated under subsections (c), (d), and (e) of this
section, including the location or locations at which a response
action will be taken, the method or methods of response action
to be used, and a schedule for beginning and completing response actions.
(D) A detailed description of any asbestos-containing material
which remains in the school building once response actions are
undertaken pursuant to the regulations promulgated under subsections (c), (d), and (e) of this section.
(E) A plan for periodic reinspection and long-term surveillance activities developed pursuant to regulations promulgated
under subsection (g) of this section, and a plan for operations and
7.

1056

So in original. Probably should not be capitalized.

TSCA §203

maintenance activities developed pursuant to regulations promulgated under subsection (f) of this section.
(F) With respect to the person or persons who inspected for
asbestos-containing material and who will design or carry out response actions with respect to the friable asbestos-containing
material, one of the following statements:
(i) If the State has adopted a contractor accreditation plan
under section 2646(b) of this title, a statement that the person
(or persons) is accredited under such plan.
(ii) A statement that the local educational agency used (or
will use) persons who have been accredited by another State
which has adopted a contractor accreditation plan under section 2646(b) of this title or is accredited pursuant to an
Administrator-approved course under section 2646(c) of this
title.
(G) A list of the laboratories that analyzed any bulk samples of
asbestos-containing material found in the school building or air
samples taken to detect asbestos in the school building and a
statement that each laboratory has been accredited pursuant to
the accreditation program under section 2646(d) of this title.
(H) With respect to each consultant who contributed to the
management plan, the name of the consultant and one of the following statements:
(i) If the State has adopted a contractor accreditation plan
under section 2646(b) of this title, a statement that the consultant is accredited under such plan.
(ii) A statement that the contractor is accredited by another
State which has adopted a contractor accreditation plan under
section 2646(b) of this title or is accredited pursuant to an
Administrator-approved course under section 2646(c) of this
title.
(I) An evaluation of resources needed to successfully
complete response actions and carry out reinspection, surveillance, and operation and maintenance activities.
(2) Statement by contractor
A local educational agency may require each management plan
to contain a statement signed by an accredited asbestos contractor
that such contractor has prepared or assisted in the preparation of
such plan, or has reviewed such plan, and that such plan is in compliance with the applicable regulations and standards promulgated
or adopted pursuant to this section and other applicable provisions
of law. Such a statement may not be signed by a contractor who, in
addition to preparing or assisting in preparing the management
plan, also implements (or will implement) the management plan.
(3) Warning labels
(A) The regulations shall require that each local educational
agency which has inspected for and discovered any asbestoscontaining material with respect to a school building shall attach
a warning label to any asbestos-containing material still in routine maintenance areas (such as boiler rooms) of the school building, including—
(i) friable asbestos-containing material which was responded to by a means other than removal, and
(ii) asbestos-containing material for which no response action was carried out.
(B) The warning label shall read, in print which is readily visible because of large size or bright color, as follows: “CAUTION:
ASBESTOS. HAZARDOUS. DO NOT DISTURB WITHOUT
PROPER TRAINING AND EQUIPMENT.”
(4) Plan may be submitted in stages
A local educational agency may submit a management plan in
stages, with each submission of the agency covering only a portion
of the school buildings under the agency’s authority, if the agency
determines that such action would expedite the identification and
abatement of hazardous asbestos-containing material in the school
buildings under the authority of the agency.
(5) Public availability
A copy of the management plan developed under the regulations

TSCA §204

TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT

shall be available in the administrative offices of the local educational agency for inspection by the public, including teachers, other
school personnel, and parents. The local educational agency shall
notify parent, teacher, and employee organizations of the availability of such plan.
(6) Submission to State Governor
Each plan developed under this subsection shall be submitted to
the State Governor under section 2645 of this title.
(j) Changes in regulations
Changes may be made in the regulations promulgated under this
section only by rule in accordance with section 553 of title 5. Any such
change must protect human health and the environment.
(k) Changes in guidance document
Any change made in the “Guidance for Controlling AsbestosContaining Material in Buildings” shall be made only by rule in accordance with section 553 of title 5, unless a regulation described in this
section dealing with the same subject matter is in effect. Any such
change must protect human health and the environment.
(l) Treatment of Department of Defense schools
(1) Secretary to act in lieu of Governor
In the administration of this subchapter, any function, duty, or
other responsibility imposed on a Governor of a State shall be carried out by the Secretary of Defense with respect to any school operated under the defense dependents’ education system provided for
under the Defense Dependents’ Education Act of 1978 (20 U.S.C.
921 et seq.).
(2) Regulations
The Secretary of Defense, in cooperation with the Administrator,
shall, to the extent feasible and consistent with the national security,
take such action as may be necessary to provide for the identification, inspection, and management (including abatement) of asbestos in any building used by the Department of Defense as an overseas school for dependents of members of the Armed Forces. Such
identification, inspection, and management (including abatement)
shall, subject to the preceding sentence, be carried out in a manner
comparable to the manner in which a local educational agency is required to carry out such activities with respect to a school building
under this subchapter.
(m) Waiver
The Administrator, upon request by a Governor and after notice and
comment and opportunity for a public hearing in the affected State,
may waive some or all of the requirements of this section and section
2644 of this title with respect to such State if it has established and is
implementing a program of asbestos inspection and management that
contains requirements that are at least as stringent as the requirements
of this section and section 2644 of this title.
(Pub. L. 94-469, title II, §203, as added Pub. L. 99-519, §2, Oct. 22, 1986, 100
Stat. 2972, and amended Pub. L. 101-637, §13, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4593.)
References In Text
The Defense Dependents’ Education Act of 1978, referred to in subsec. (l)(1), is
title XIV of Pub. L. 95-561, Nov. 1, 1978, 92 Stat. 2365, as amended, which is classified principally to chapter 25A (Sec. 921 et seq.) of Title 20, Education. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section
921 of Title 20 and Tables.

§2644.

[TSCA §204]

Requirements if EPA fails to promulgate regulations

(a) In general
(1) Failure to promulgate
If the Administrator fails to promulgate within the prescribed
period—
(A) regulations described in section 2643(b) of this title (relating to inspection);
(B) regulations described in section 2643(c), (d), (e), (f), (g),
and (i) of this title (relating to responding to asbestos); or
(C) regulations described in section 2643(h) of this title (relating to transportation and disposal);
each local educational agency shall carry out the requirements de8.

15 U.S.C. §2644

scribed in this section in subsection (b); subsections (c), (d), and (e);
or subsection (f); respectively, in accordance with the Environmental Protection Agency’s most current guidance document.
(2) Stay by court
If the Administrator has promulgated regulations described in
paragraph (1)(A), (B), or (C) within the prescribed period, but the
effective date of such regulations has been stayed by a court for a
period of more than 30 days, a local educational agency shall carry
out the pertinent requirements described in this subsection in accordance with the Environmental Protection Agency’s most current
guidance document.
(3) Effective period
The requirements of this section shall be in effect until such time
as the Administrator promulgates the pertinent regulations or until
the stay is lifted (as the case may be).
(b) Inspection
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the local educational
agency, within 540 days after October 22, 1986, shall conduct an inspection for asbestos-containing material, using personnel accredited under section 2646(b) or (c) of this title and laboratories accredited under section 2646(d) of this title, in each school building
under its authority.
(2) The local educational agency may exclude from the inspection requirement in paragraph (1) any school building, or portion of
a school building, if (A) an inspection of such school building (or
portion) was completed before the date on which this section goes
into effect, and (B) the inspection meets the inspection requirements of this section.
(c) Operation and maintenance
The local educational agency shall, within 720 days after October
22, 1986, develop and begin implementation of an operation and
maintenance plan with respect to friable asbestos-containing material
in a school building under its authority. Such plan shall provide for the
education of school service and maintenance personnel about safety
procedures with respect to asbestos-containing material, including friable asbestos-containing material.
(d) Management plan
(1) In general
The local educational agency shall—
(A) develop a management plan for responding to asbestoscontaining material in each school building under its authority
and submit such plan to the Governor under section 2645 of this
title within 810 days after October 22, 1986,
(B) begin implementation of such plan within 990 days after
October 22, 1986, and
(C) complete implementation of such plan in a timely fashion.
(2) Plan requirements
The management plan shall—
(A) include the elements listed in section 2643(i)(1) of this title, including an inspection statement as described in paragraph
(3) of this section,8
(B) provide for the attachment of warning labels as described
in section 2643(i)(3) of this title,
(C) be prepared in accordance with the most current guidance
document,
(D) meet the standard described in paragraph (4) for actions
described in that paragraph, and
(E) be submitted to the State Governor under section 2645 of
this title.
(3) Inspection statement
The local educational agency shall complete an inspection statement, covering activities carried out before October 22, 1986,
which meets the following requirements:
(A) The statement shall include the following information:
(i) The dates of inspection.
(ii) The name, address, and qualifications of each
inspector.
(iii) A description of the specific areas inspected.

So in original. Probably should be “subsection,”.

1057

15 U.S.C. §2645

ENVIRONMENTAL LAW DESKBOOK

(iv) A list of the laboratories that analyzed any bulk samples
of asbestos-containing material or air samples of asbestos
found in any school building and a statement describing the
qualifications of each laboratory.
(v) The results of the inspection.
(B) The statement shall state whether any actions were taken
with respect to any asbestos-containing material found to be
present, including a specific reference to whether any actions
were taken in the boiler room of the building. If any such action
was taken, the following items of information shall be included
in the statement:
(i) The location or locations at which the action was taken.
(ii) A description of the method of action.
(iii) The qualifications of the persons who conducted the
action.
(4) Standard
The ambient interior concentration of asbestos after the completion of actions described in the most current guidance document,
other than the type of action described in sections 2643(f) of this title and subsection (c) of this section, shall not exceed the ambient
exterior concentration, discounting any contribution from any local
stationary source. Either a scanning electron microscope or a transmission electron microscope shall be used to determine the ambient
interior concentration. In the absence of reliable measurements, the
ambient exterior concentration shall be deemed to be—
(A) less than 0.003 fibers per cubic centimeter if a scanning
electron microscope is used, and
(B) less than 0.005 fibers per cubic centimeter if a transmission electron microscope is used.
(5) Public availability
A copy of the management plan shall be available in the administrative offices of the local educational agency for inspection by the
public, including teachers, other school personnel, and parents. The
local educational agency shall notify parent, teacher, and employee
organizations of the availability of such plan.
(e) Building occupant protection
The local educational agency shall provide for the protection of
building occupants during each phase of activity described in this
section.
(f) Transportation and disposal
The local educational agency shall provide for the transportation
and disposal of asbestos in accordance with the most recent version of
the Environmental Protection Agency’s “Asbestos Waste Management Guidance” (or any successor to such document).
(Pub. L. 94-469, title II, §204, as added Pub. L. 99-519, §2, Oct. 22, 1986, 100
Stat. 2977.)

§2645.

[TSCA §205]

Submission to State Governor

(a) Submission
Within 720 days after October 22, 1986 (or within 810 days if there
are no regulations under section 2643(i) of this title), a local educational agency shall submit a management plan developed pursuant to
regulations promulgated under section 2643(i) of this title (or under
section 2644(d) of this title if there are no regulations) to the Governor
of the State in which the local educational agency is located.
(b) Governor requirements
Within 360 days after October 22, 1986, the Governor of each
State—
(1) shall notify local educational agencies in the State of where to
submit their management plans under this section, and
(2) may establish administrative procedures for reviewing management plans submitted under this section.
If the Governor establishes procedures under paragraph (2), the Governor shall designate to carry out the reviews those State officials who
are responsible for implementing environmental protection or other
public health programs, or with authority over asbestos programs, in
the State.

1058

TSCA §205

(c) Management plan review
(1) Review of plan
The Governor may disapprove a management plan within 90
days after the date of receipt of the plan if the plan—
(A) does not conform with the regulations under section
2643(i) of this title (or with section 2644(d) of this title if there
are no regulations),
(B) does not assure that contractors who are accredited pursuant to this subchapter will be used to carry out the plan, or
(C) does not contain a response action schedule which is reasonable and timely, taking into account circumstances relevant
to the speed at which the friable asbestos-containing material in
the school buildings under the local educational agency’s
authority should be responded to, including human exposure to
the asbestos while the friable asbestos-containing material remains in the school building, and the ability of the local educational agency to continue to provide educational services to the
community.
(2) Revision of plan
If the State Governor disapproves a plan, the State Governor
shall explain in writing to the local educational agency the reasons
why the plan was disapproved and the changes that need to be made
in the plan. Within 30 days after the date on which notice is received
of disapproval of its plan, the local educational agency shall revise
the plan to conform with the State Governor’s suggested changes.
The Governor may extend the 30-day period for not more than 90
days.
(d) Deferral of submission
(1) Request for deferral
A local educational agency may request a deferral, to May 9,
1989, of the deadline under subsection (a) of this section. Upon approval of such a request, the deadline under subsection (a) of this
section is deferred until May 9, 1989, for the local educational
agency which submitted the request. Such a request may cover one
or more schools under the authority of the agency and shall include
a list of all the schools covered by the request. A local educational
agency shall file any such request with the State Governor by October 12, 1988, and shall include with the request either of the following statements:
(A) A statement—
(i) that the State in which the agency is located has requested
from the Administrator, before June 1, 1988, a waiver under
section 2643(m) of this title; and
(ii) that gives assurance that the local educational agency
has carried out the notification and, in the case of a public
school, public meeting required by paragraph (2).
(B) A statement, the accuracy of which is sworn to by a responsible official of the agency (by notarization or other means of certification), that includes the following with respect to each school
for which a deferral is sought in the request:
(i) A statement that, in spite of the fact that the local educational agency has made a good faith effort to meet the deadline
for submission of a management plan under subsection (a) of
this section, the agency will not be able to meet the deadline.
The statement shall include a brief explanation of the reasons
why the deadline cannot be met.
(ii) A statement giving assurance that the local educational
agency has made available for inspection by the public, at each
school for which a deferral is sought in the request, at least one
of the following documents:
(I) A solicitation by the local educational agency to contract with an accredited asbestos contractor for inspection or
management plan development.
(II) A letter attesting to the enrollment of school district
personnel in an Environmental Protection Agencyaccredited training course for inspection and management
plan development.
(III) Documentation showing that an analysis of suspected asbestos-containing material from the school is
pending at an accredited laboratory.
(IV) Documentation showing that an inspection or man-

TSCA §206

TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT

agement plan has been completed in at least one other
school under the local educational agency’s authority.
(iii) A statement giving assurance that the local educational
agency has carried out the notification and, in the case of a
public school, public meeting required by paragraph (2).
(iv) A proposed schedule outlining all significant activities
leading up to submission of a management plan by May 9,
1989, including inspection of the school (if not completed at
the time of the request) with a deadline of no later than December 22, 1988, for entering into a signed contract with an accredited asbestos contractor for inspection (unless such
inspections are to be performed by school personnel), laboratory analysis of material from the school suspected of containing asbestos, and development of the management plan.
(2) Notification and public meeting
Before filing a deferral request under paragraph (1), a local educational agency shall notify affected parent, teacher, and employee
organizations of its intent to file such a request. In the case of a deferral request for a public school, the local educational agency shall
discuss the request at a public meeting of the school board with jurisdiction over the school, and affected parent, teacher, and employee organizations shall be notified in advance of the time and
place of such meeting.
(3) Response by Governor
(A) Not later than 30 days after the date on which a Governor
receives a deferral request under paragraph (1) from a local educational agency, the Governor shall respond to the local educational agency in writing by acknowledging whether the request is
complete or incomplete. If the request is incomplete, the Governor shall identify in the response the items that are missing from
the request.
(B) A local educational agency may correct any deficiencies in
an incomplete deferral request and refile the request with the
Governor. In any case in which the local educational agency decides to refile the request, the agency shall refile the request, and
the Governor shall respond to such refiled request in the manner
described in subparagraph (A), no later than 15 days after the local educational agency has received a response from the Governor under subparagraph (A).
(C) Approval of a deferral request under this subsection occurs
only upon the receipt by a local educational agency of a written
acknowledgment from the Governor that the agency’s deferral
request is complete.
(4) Submission and review of plan
A local educational agency whose deferral request is approved
shall submit a management plan to the Governor not later than May
9, 1989. Such management plan shall include a copy of the deferral
request and the statement accompanying such request. Such management plan shall be reviewed in accordance with subsection (c) of
this section, except that the Governor may extend the 30-day period
for revision of the plan under subsection (c)(2) of this section for
only an additional 30 days (for a total of 60 days).
(5) Implementation of plan
The approval of a deferral request from a local educational
agency shall not be considered to be a waiver or exemption from the
requirement under section 2643(i) of this title for the local educational agency to begin implementation of its management plan by
July 9, 1989.
(6) EPA notice
(A) Not later than 15 days after July 18, 1988, the Administrator shall publish in the Federal Register the following:
(i) A notice describing the opportunity to file a request for
deferral under this subsection.
(ii) A list of the State offices (including officials (if available) in each State as designated under subsection (b) of this
section) with which deferral requests should be filed.
(B) As soon as practicable, but in no event later than 30 days,
after July 18, 1988, the Administrator shall mail a notice describing the opportunity to file a request for deferral under this subsec-

15 U.S.C. §2646

tion to each local educational agency and to each State office in
the list published under subparagraph (A).
(e) Status reports
(1) Not later than December 31, 1988, the Governor of each
State shall submit to the Administrator a written statement on the
status of management plan submissions and deferral requests by
local educational agencies in the State. The statement shall be
made available to local educational agencies in the State and shall
contain the following:
(A) A list containing each local educational agency that submitted a management plan by October 12, 1988.
(B) A list containing each local educational agency whose deferral request was approved.
(C) A list containing each local educational agency that failed
to submit a management plan by October 12, 1988, and whose
deferral request was disapproved.
(D) A list containing each local educational agency that failed
to submit a management plan by October 12, 1988, and did not
submit a deferral request.
(2) Not later than December 31, 1989, the Governor of each State
shall submit to the Administrator an updated version of the written
statement submitted under paragraph (1). The statement shall be
made available to local educational agencies in the State and shall
contain the following:
(A) A list containing each local educational agency whose
management plan was submitted and not disapproved as of October 9, 1989.
(B) A list containing each local educational agency whose
management plan was submitted and disapproved, and which remains disapproved, as of October 9, 1989.
(C) A list containing each local educational agency that submitted a management plan after May 9, 1989, and before October
10, 1989.
(D) A list containing each local educational agency that failed
to submit a management plan as of October 9, 1989.
(Pub. L. 94-469, title II, §205, as added Pub. L. 99-519, §2, Oct. 22, 1986, 100
Stat. 2979, and amended Pub. L. 100-368, §1(a), 2, July 18, 1988, 102 Stat.
829, 831.)

§2646. [TSCA §206]
Contractor and laboratory accreditation

(a) Contractor accreditation
A person may not—
(1) inspect for asbestos-containing material in a school building
under the authority of a local educational agency or in a public or
commercial building,
(2) prepare a management plan for such a school, or
(3) design or conduct response actions, other than the type of action described in sections 2643(f) and 2644(c) of this title, with respect to friable asbestos-containing material in such a school or in a
public or commercial building,
unless such person is accredited by a State under subsection (b) of this
section or is accredited pursuant to an Administrator-approved course
under subsection (c) of this section.
(b) Accreditation by State
(1) Model plan
(A) Persons to be accredited
Within 180 days after October 22, 1986, the Administrator, in
consultation with affected organizations, shall develop a model
contractor accreditation plan for States to give accreditation to
persons in the following categories:
(i) Persons who inspect for asbestos-containing material in
school buildings under the authority of a local educational
agency or in public or commercial buildings.
(ii) Persons who prepare management plans for such
schools.
(iii) Persons who design or carry out response actions, other
than the type of action described in sections 2643(f) and
2644(c) of this title, with respect to friable asbestos-containing
material in such schools or in public or commercial buildings.
1059

15 U.S.C. §2646

ENVIRONMENTAL LAW DESKBOOK

(B) Plan requirements
The plan shall include a requirement that any person in a category listed in paragraph (1) achieve a passing grade on an examination and participate in continuing education to stay informed
about current asbestos inspection and response action technology. The examination shall demonstrate the knowledge of the
person in areas that the Administrator prescribes as necessary
and appropriate in each of the categories. Such examinations
may include requirements for knowledge in the following areas:
(i) Recognition of asbestos-containing material and its
physical characteristics.
(ii) Health hazards of asbestos and the relationship between
asbestos exposure and disease.
(iii) Assessing the risk of asbestos exposure through a
knowledge of percentage weight of asbestos-containing material, friability, age, deterioration, location and accessibility of
materials, and advantages and disadvantages of dry and wet
response action methods.
(iv) Respirators and their use, care, selection, degree of protection afforded, fitting, testing, and maintenance and cleaning procedures.
(v) Appropriate work practices and control methods, including the use of high efficiency particle absolute vacuums,
the use of amended water, and principles of negative air pressure equipment use and procedures.
(vi) Preparing a work area for response action work, including isolating work areas to prevent bystander or public exposure to asbestos, decontamination procedures, and procedures
for dismantling work areas after completion of work.
(vii) Establishing emergency procedures to respond to sudden releases.
(viii) Air monitoring requirements and procedures.
(ix) Medical surveillance program requirements.
(x) Proper asbestos waste transportation and disposal
procedures.
(xi) Housekeeping and personal hygiene practices, including the necessity of showers, and procedures to prevent asbestos exposure to an employee’s family.
(2) State adoption of plan
Each State shall adopt a contractor accreditation plan at least as
stringent as the model plan developed by the Administrator under
paragraph (1), within 180 days after the commencement of the first
regular session of the legislature of such State which is convened
following the date on which the Administrator completes development of the model plan. In the case of a school operated under the
defense dependents’ education system provided for under the Defense Dependents’ Education Act of 1978 (20 U.S.C. 921 et seq.),
the Secretary of Defense shall adopt a contractor accreditation plan
at least as stringent as that model.
(c) Accreditation by Administrator-approved course
(1) Course approval
Within 180 days after October 22, 1986, the Administrator shall
ensure that any Environmental Protection Agency-approved asbestos training course is consistent with the model plan (including
testing requirements) developed under subsection (b) of this section. A contractor may be accredited by taking and passing such a
course.
(2) Treatment of persons with previous EPA asbestos training
A person who—
(A) completed an Environmental Protection Agencyapproved asbestos training course before October 22, 1986, and
(B) passed (or passes) an asbestos test either before or after
October 22, 1986,
may be accredited under paragraph (1) if the Administrator determines that the course and test are equivalent to the requirements of
the model plan developed under subsection (b) of this section. If the
Administrator so determines, the person shall be considered accredited for the purposes of this subchapter until a date that is one year
after the date on which the State in which such person is employed
establishes an accreditation program pursuant to subsection (b) of
this section.
1060

TSCA §206

(3) Lists of courses
The Administrator, in consultation with affected organizations,
shall publish (and revise as necessary)—
(A) a list of asbestos courses and tests in effect before October
22, 1986, which qualify for equivalency treatment under paragraph (2), and
(B) a list of asbestos courses and tests which the Administrator
determines under paragraph (1) are consistent with the model
plan and which will qualify a contractor for accreditation under
such paragraph.
(d) Laboratory accreditation
(1) The Administrator shall provide for the development of an
accreditation program for laboratories by the National Institute
of Standards and Technology in accordance with paragraph (2).
The Administrator shall transfer such funds as are necessary to
the National Institute of Standards and Technology to carry out
such program.
(2) The National Institute of Standards and Technology, upon
request by the Administrator, shall, in consultation with affected
organizations—
(A) within 360 days after October 22, 1986, develop an accreditation program for laboratories which conduct qualitative
and semi-quantitative analyses of bulk samples of asbestoscontaining material, and
(B) within 720 days after October 22, 1986, develop an accreditation program for laboratories which conduct analyses of
air samples of asbestos from school buildings under the authority
of a local educational agency.
(3) A laboratory which plans to carry out any such analysis shall
comply with the requirements of the accreditation program.
(e) Financial assistance contingent on use of accredited persons
(1) A school which is an applicant for financial assistance under
section 505 of the Asbestos School Hazard Abatement Act of 1984
[20 U.S.C. 4014] is not eligible for such assistance unless the
school, in carrying out the requirements of this subchapter—
(A) uses a person (or persons)—
(i) who is accredited by a State which has adopted an accreditation plan based on the model plan developed under subsection (b) of this section, or
(ii) who is accredited pursuant to an Administratorapproved course under subsection (c) of this section, and
(B) uses a laboratory (or laboratories) which is accredited under the program developed under subsection (d) of this section.
(2) This subsection shall apply to any financial assistance provided under the Asbestos School Hazard Abatement Act of 1984
[20 U.S.C. 4011 et seq.] for activities performed after the following
dates:
(A) In the case of activities performed by persons, after the
date which is one year after October 22, 1986.
(B) In the case of activities performed by laboratories, after the
date which is 180 days after the date on which a laboratory accreditation program is completed under subsection (d) of this
section.
(f) List of EPA-approved courses
Not later than August 31, 1988, and every three months thereafter
until August 31, 1991, the Administrator shall publish in the Federal
Register a list of all Environmental Protection Agency-approved asbestos training courses for persons to achieve accreditation in each
category described in subsection (b)(1)(A) of this section and for laboratories to achieve accreditation. The Administrator may continue
publishing such a list after August 31, 1991, at such times as the Administrator considers it useful. The list shall include the name and address of each approved trainer and, to the extent available, a list of all
the geographic sites where training courses will take place. The Administrator shall provide a copy of the list to each State official on the
list published by the Administrator under section 2645(d)(6) of this title and to each regional office of the Environmental Protection
Agency.
(Pub. L. 94-469, title II, §206, as added Pub. L. 99-519, §2, Oct. 22, 1986, 100
Stat. 2980, and amended Pub. L. 100-368, §3, July 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 832; Pub.

TSCA §207

TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT

L. 100-418, title V, §5115(c), Aug. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 1433; Pub. L. 101-637,
§15(a)(1), (2), Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4596.)
References In Text
The Defense Dependents’ Education Act of 1978, referred to in subsec. (b)(2), is
title XIV of Pub. L. 95-561, Nov. 1, 1978, 92 Stat. 2365, as amended, which is classified principally to chapter 25A (Sec. 921 et seq.) of Title 20, Education. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section
921 of Title 20 and Tables.
The Asbestos School Hazard Abatement Act of 1984, referred to in subsec. (e)(2),
is title V of Pub. L. 98-377, Aug. 11, 1984, 98 Stat. 1287, as amended, which is classified generally to subchapter V (Sec. 4011 et seq.) of chapter 52 of Title 20. For
complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 4011 of Title 20 and Tables.
Effective Date Of 1990 Amendment
Section 15(c) of Pub. L. 101-637 provided that: “This section [amending this section and section 2647 of this title and enacting provisions set out as notes under this
section] shall take effect upon the expiration of the 12-month period following the
date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 28, 1990]. The Administrator may extend the
effective date for a period not to exceed one year if the Administrator determines that
accredited asbestos contractors are needed to perform school-site abatement required under the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act [of 1986] (15 U.S.C.
2641) and such an extension is necessary to ensure effective implementation of section 203 of the Toxic Substances Control Act [15 U.S.C. 2643].”
Revision Of Model Contractor Accreditation Program
Section 15(a)(3) of Pub. L. 101-637 provided that: “Not later than one year after
the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 28, 1990], the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency shall revise the model contractor accreditation plan
promulgated under section 206(b)(1) of the Toxic Substances Control Act (15
U.S.C. 2646(b)(1)) to increase the minimum number of hours of training, including
additional hours of hands-on health and safety training, required for asbestos abatement workers and to make such other changes as may be necessary to implement the
amendments made by paragraphs (1) and (2) [amending this section].”
EPA Administrator Not Exercising “Statutory Authority” Under OSHA Law
In Exercising Authority Under This Chapter
Section 15(b) of Pub. L. 101-637 provided that: “In exercising any authority under the Toxic Substances Control Act [15 U.S.C. 2601 et seq.] in connection with the
amendment made by subsection (a) of this section [amending this section and section 2647 of this title], the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency
shall not, for purposes of section 4(b)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act
of 1970 (29 U.S.C. 653(b)(1)), be considered to be exercising statutory authority to
prescribe or enforce standards or regulations affecting occupational safety and
health.”

§2647.

[TSCA §207]

Enforcement

(a) Penalties
Any local educational agency—
(1) which fails to conduct an inspection pursuant to regulations
under section 2643(b) of this title or under section 2644(b) of this
title,
(2) which knowingly submits false information to the Governor
regarding any inspection pursuant to regulations under section
2643(i) of this title or knowingly includes false information in any
inspection statement under section 2644(d)(3) of this title,
(3) which fails to develop a management plan pursuant to regulations under section 2643(i) of this title or under section 2644(d) of
this title,
(4) which carries out any activity prohibited by section 2655 of
this title, or
(5) which knowingly submits false information to the Governor
regarding a deferral request under section 2645(d) of this title.9
is liable for a civil penalty of not more than $5,000 for each day during
which the violation continues. Any civil penalty under this subsection
shall be assessed and collected in the same manner, and subject to the
same provisions, as in the case of civil penalties assessed and collected
under section 2615 of this title. For purposes of this subsection, a “violation” means a failure to comply with respect to a single school building. The court shall order that any civil penalty collected under this
subsection be used by the local educational agency for purposes of
complying with this subchapter. Any portion of a civil penalty remaining unspent after compliance by a local educational agency is completed shall be deposited into the Asbestos Trust Fund established by
section 4022 of title 20.

9.

15 U.S.C. §2647

(b) Relationship to subchapter I of this chapter
A local educational agency is not liable for any civil penalty under
subchapter I of this chapter for failing or refusing to comply with any
rule promulgated or order issued under this subchapter.
(c) Enforcement considerations
(1) In determining the amount of a civil penalty to be assessed under subsection (a) of this section against a local educational agency,
the Administrator shall consider—
(A) the significance of the violation;
(B) the culpability of the violator, including any history of previous violations under this chapter;
(C) the ability of the violator to pay the penalty; and
(D) the ability of the violator to continue to provide educational services to the community.
(2) Any action ordered by a court in fashioning relief under section 2619 of this title shall be consistent with regulations promulgated under section 2643 of this title (or with the requirements of
section 2644 of this title if there are no regulations).
(d) Citizen complaints
Any person may file a complaint with the Administrator or with the
Governor of the State in which the school building is located with respect to asbestos-containing material in a school building. If the Administrator or Governor receives a complaint under this subsection
containing allegations which provide a reasonable basis to believe that
a violation of this chapter has occurred, the Administrator or Governor
shall investigate and respond (including taking enforcement action
where appropriate) to the complaint within a reasonable period of
time.
(e) Citizen petitions
(1) Any person may petition the Administrator to initiate a proceeding for the issuance, amendment, or repeal of a regulation or
order under this subchapter.
(2) Such petition shall be filed in the principal office of the Administrator and shall set forth the facts which it is claimed establish
that it is necessary to issue, amend, or repeal a regulation or order
under this subchapter.
(3) The Administrator may hold a public hearing or may conduct
such investigation or proceeding as the Administrator deems appropriate in order to determine whether or not such petition should
be granted.
(4) Within 90 days after filing of a petition described in paragraph (1), the Administrator shall either grant or deny the petition.
If the Administrator grants such petition, the Administrator shall
promptly commence an appropriate proceeding in accordance with
this subchapter. If the Administrator denies such petition, the Administrator shall publish in the Federal Register the Administrator’s reasons for such denial. The granting or denial of a petition under this subsection shall not affect any deadline or other requirement of this subchapter.
(f) Citizen civil actions with respect to EPA regulations
(1) Any person may commence a civil action without prior notice
against the Administrator to compel the Administrator to meet the
deadlines in section 2643 of this title for issuing advanced notices
of proposed rulemaking, proposing regulations, and promulgating
regulations. Any such action shall be brought in the district court of
the United States for the District of Columbia.
(2) In any action brought under paragraph (1) in which the court
finds the Administrator to be in violation of any deadline in section
2643 of this title, the court shall set forth a schedule for promulgating the regulations required by section 2643 of this title and shall order the Administrator to comply with such schedule. The court may
extend any deadline (which has not already occurred) in section
2644(b), (c), or (d) of this title for a period of not more than 6
months, if the court-ordered schedule will result in final promulgation of the pertinent regulations within the extended period. Such
deadline extensions may not be granted by the court beginning 720
days after October 22, 1986.
(3) Section 2619 of this title shall apply to civil actions de-

So in original. The period probably should be a comma.

1061

15 U.S.C. §2648

ENVIRONMENTAL LAW DESKBOOK

scribed in this subsection, except to the extent inconsistent with
this subsection.
(g) Failure to attain accreditation; penalty
Any contractor who—
(1) inspects for asbestos-containing material in a school, public
or commercial building;
(2) designs or conducts response actions with respect to friable
asbestos-containing material in a school, public or commercial
building; or
(3) employs individuals to conduct response actions with respect
to friable asbestos-containing material in a school, public or commercial building;
and who fails to obtain the accreditation under section 2646 of this title, or in the case of employees to require or provide for the accreditation required, is liable for a civil penalty of not more than $5,000 for
each day during which the violation continues, unless such contractor
is a direct employee of the Federal Government.
(Pub. L. 94-469, title II, §207, as added Pub. L. 99-519, §2, Oct. 22, 1986, 100
Stat. 2983, and amended Pub. L. 100-368, §5, July 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 833; Pub.
L. 101-637, §15(a)(4), Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4596.)
Effective Date Of 1990 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 101-637 effective upon expiration of 12-month period
following Nov. 28, 1990, with provisions for extension, see section 15(c) of Pub. L.
101-637, set out as a note under section 2646 of this title.
EPA Administrator Not Exercising “Statutory Authority” Under OSHA Law
In Exercising Authority Under This Chapter
In exercising any authority under this chapter in connection with amendment
made by Pub. L. 101-637, Administrator of Environmental Protection Agency not,
for purposes of section 653(b)(1) of Title 29, Labor, to be considered to be exercising
statutory authority to prescribe or enforce standards or regulations affecting occupational safety and health, see section 15(b) of Pub. L. 101-637, set out as a note under
section 2646 of this title.

§2648.

[TSCA §208]

Emergency authority

(a) Emergency action
(1) Authority
Whenever—
(A) the presence of airborne asbestos or the condition of friable asbestos-containing material in a school building governed
by a local educational agency poses an imminent and substantial
endangerment to human health or the environment, and
(B) the local educational agency is not taking sufficient action
(as determined by the Administrator or the Governor) to respond
to the airborne asbestos or friable asbestos-containing material,
the Administrator or the Governor of a State is authorized to act to
protect human health or the environment.
(2) Limitations on Governor’s action
The Governor of a State shall notify the Administrator within a
reasonable period of time before the Governor plans to take an
emergency action under this subsection. After such notification, if
the Administrator takes an emergency action with respect to the
same hazard, the Governor may not carry out (or continue to carry
out, if the action has been started) the emergency action.
(3) Notification
The following notification shall be provided before an emergency action is taken under this subsection:
(A) In the case of a Governor taking the action, the Governor
shall notify the local educational agency concerned.
(B) In the case of the Administrator taking the action, the
Administrator shall notify both the local educational agency
concerned and the Governor of the State in which such agency
is located.
(4) Cost recovery
The Administrator or the Governor of a State may seek reimbursement for all costs of an emergency action taken under this subsection in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia or for the district in which the emergency action occurred. In any
action seeking reimbursement from a local educational agency, the
action shall be brought in the United States District Court for the
district in which the local educational agency is located.
1062

TSCA §208

(b) Injunctive relief
Upon receipt of evidence that the presence of airborne asbestos or
the condition of friable asbestos-containing material in a school building governed by a local educational agency poses an imminent and
substantial endangerment to human health or the environment—
(1) the Administrator may request the Attorney General to bring
suit, or
(2) the Governor of a State may bring suit,
to secure such relief as may be necessary to respond to the hazard. The
district court of the United States in the district in which the response
will be carried out shall have jurisdiction to grant such relief, including injunctive relief.
(Pub. L. 94-469, title II, §208, as added Pub. L. 99-519, §2, Oct. 22, 1986, 100
Stat. 2985.)

§2649. [TSCA §209]
State and Federal law

(a) No preemption
Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed, interpreted, or applied to preempt, displace, or supplant any other State or Federal law,
whether statutory or common.
(b) Cost and damage awards
Nothing in this subchapter or any standard, regulation, or requirement promulgated pursuant to this subchapter shall be construed or interpreted to preclude any court from awarding costs and damages associated with the abatement, including the removal, of asbestoscontaining material, or a portion of such costs, at any time prior to the
actual date on which such material is removed.
(c) State may establish more requirements
Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed or interpreted as preempting a State from establishing any additional liability or more
stringent requirements with respect to asbestos in school buildings
within such State.
(d) No Federal cause of action
Nothing in this subchapter creates a cause of action or in any other
way increases or diminishes the liability of any person under any other
law.
(e) Intent of Congress
It is not the intent of Congress that this subchapter or rules, regulations, or orders issued pursuant to this subchapter be interpreted as influencing, in either the plaintiff’s or defendant’s favor, the disposition
of any civil action for damages relating to asbestos. This subsection
does not affect the authority of any court to make a determination in an
adjudicatory proceeding under applicable State law with respect to the
admission into evidence or any other use of this subchapter or rules,
regulations, or orders issued pursuant to this subchapter.
(Pub. L. 94-469, title II, §209, as added Pub. L. 99-519, §2, Oct. 22, 1986, 100
Stat. 2986.)

§2650. [TSCA §210]
Asbestos contractors and local educational agencies

(a) Study
(1) General requirement
The Administrator shall conduct a study on the availability of liability insurance and other forms of assurance against financial loss
which are available to local educational agencies and asbestos contractors with respect to actions required under this subchapter. Such
study shall examine the following:
(A) The extent to which liability insurance and other forms of
assurance against financial loss are available to local educational
agencies and asbestos contractors.
(B) The extent to which the cost of insurance or other forms of
assurance against financial loss has increased and the extent to
which coverage has become less complete.
(C) The extent to which any limitation in the availability of insurance or other forms of assurance against financial loss is the
result of factors other than standards of liability in applicable
law.
(D) The extent to which the existence of the regulations required by subsections (c) and (d) of section 2643 of this title and

TSCA §215

TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT

the accreditation of contractors under section 2646 of this title
has affected the availability or cost of insurance or other forms of
assurance against financial loss.
(E) The extent to which any limitation on the availability of insurance or other forms of assurance against financial loss is inhibiting inspections for asbestos-containing material or the development or implementation of management plans under this
subchapter.
(F) Identification of any other impediments to the timely completion of inspections or the development and implementation of
management plans under this subchapter.
(2) Interim report
Not later than April 1, 1988, the Administrator shall submit to the
Congress an interim report on the progress of the study required by
this subsection, along with preliminary findings based on information collected to that date.
(3) Final report
Not later than October 1, 1990, the Administrator shall submit to
the Congress a final report on the study required by this subsection,
including final findings based on the information collected.
(b) State action
On the basis of the interim report or the final report of the study required by subsection (a) of this section, a State may enact or amend
State law to establish or modify a standard of liability for local educational agencies or asbestos contractors with respect to actions required
under this subchapter.
(Pub. L. 94-469, title II, §210, as added Pub. L. 99-519, §2, Oct. 22, 1986, 100
Stat. 2986.)

§2651.

[TSCA §211]

Public protection

(a) Public protection
No State or local educational agency may discriminate against a
person in any way, including firing a person who is an employee, because the person provided information relating to a potential violation
of this subchapter to any other person, including a State or the Federal
Government.
(b) Labor Department review
Any public or private employee or representative of employees who
believes he or she has been fired or otherwise discriminated against in
violation of subsection (a) of this section may within 90 days after the
alleged violation occurs apply to the Secretary of Labor for a review of
the firing or alleged discrimination. The review shall be conducted in
accordance with section 660(c) of title 29.
(Pub. L. 94-469, title II, §211, as added Pub. L. 99-519, §2, Oct. 22, 1986, 100
Stat. 2987.)

§2652.

[TSCA §212]

Asbestos Ombudsman

(a) Appointment
The Administrator shall appoint an Asbestos Ombudsman, who
shall carry out the duties described in subsection (b) of this section.
(b) Duties
The duties of the Asbestos Ombudsman are—
(1) to receive complaints, grievances, and requests for information submitted by any person with respect to any aspect of this subchapter,
(2) to render assistance with respect to the complaints, grievances, and requests received, and
(3) to make such recommendations to the Administrator as the
Ombudsman considers appropriate.
(Pub. L. 94-469, title II, §212, as added Pub. L. 99-519, §2, Oct. 22, 1986, 100
Stat. 2987.)

§2653.

[TSCA §213]

EPA study of asbestos-containing material in public
buildings

Within 360 days after October 22, 1986, the Administrator shall

15 U.S.C. §2655

conduct and submit to the Congress the results of a study which
shall—
(1) assess the extent to which asbestos-containing materials are
present in public and commercial buildings;
(2) assess the condition of asbestos-containing material in commercial buildings and the likelihood that persons occupying such
buildings, including service and maintenance personnel, are, or
may be, exposed to asbestos fibers;
(3) consider and report on whether public and commercial buildings should be subject to the same inspection and response action
requirements that apply to school buildings;
(4) assess whether existing Federal regulations adequately protect the general public, particularly abatement personnel, from exposure to asbestos during renovation and demolition of such buildings; and
(5) include recommendations that explicitly address whether
there is a need to establish standards for, and regulate asbestos exposure in, public and commercial buildings.
(Pub. L. 94-469, title II, §213, as added Pub. L. 99-519, §2, Oct. 22, 1986, 100
Stat. 2987.)

§2654. [TSCA §214]
Transitional rules

Any regulation of the Environmental Protection Agency under subchapter I of this chapter which is inconsistent with this subchapter
shall not be in effect after October 22, 1986. Any advanced notice of
proposed rulemaking, any proposed rule, and any regulation of the
Environmental Protection Agency in effect before October 22, 1986,
which is consistent with the regulations required under section 2643
of this title shall remain in effect and may be used to meet the requirements of section 2643 of this title, except that any such regulation shall
be enforced under this chapter.
(Pub. L. 94-469, title II, §214, as added Pub. L. 99-519, §2, Oct. 22, 1986, 100
Stat. 2988.)

§2655. [TSCA §215]
Worker protection

(a) Prohibition on certain activities
Until the local educational agency with authority over a school has
submitted a management plan (for the school) which the State Governor has not disapproved as of the end of the period for review and revision of the plan under section 2645 of this title, the local educational
agency may not do either of the following in the school:
(1) Perform, or direct an employee to perform, renovations or removal of building materials, except emergency repairs, in the
school, unless—
(A) the school is carrying out work under a grant awarded under section 4014 of title 20; or
(B) an inspection that complies with the requirements of regulations promulgated under section 2643 of this title has been carried out in the school and the agency complies with the following
sections of title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations:
(i) Paragraphs (g), (h), and (i) of section 763.90 (response
actions).
(ii) Appendix D to subpart E of part 763 (transport and disposal of asbestos waste).
(2) Perform, or direct an employee to perform, operations and
maintenance activities in the school, unless the agency complies
with the following sections of title 40 of the Code of Federal
Regulations:
(A) Section 763.91 (operations and maintenance), including
appendix B to subpart E of part 763.
(B) Paragraph (a)(2) of section 763.92 (training and periodic
surveillance).
(b) Employee training and equipment
Any school employee who is directed to conduct emergency repairs
involving any building material containing asbestos or suspected of
containing asbestos, or to conduct operations and maintenance activities, in a school—

1063

15 U.S.C. §2656

ENVIRONMENTAL LAW DESKBOOK

(1) shall be provided the proper training to safely conduct such
work in order to prevent potential exposure to asbestos; and
(2) shall be provided the proper equipment and allowed to follow
work practices that are necessary to safely conduct such work in order to prevent potential exposure to asbestos.
(c) “Emergency repair” defined
For purposes of this section, the term “emergency repair” means a
repair in a school building that was not planned and was in response to
a sudden, unexpected event that threatens either—
(1) the health or safety of building occupants; or
(2) the structural integrity of the building.
(Pub. L. 94-469, title II, §215, as added Pub. L. 100-368, §4(a), July 18, 1988,
102 Stat. 832.)
Effective Date
Section 4(c) of Pub. L. 100-368 provided that: “Section 215 of the Toxic Substances Control Act (this section), as added by subsection (a), shall take effect on October 12, 1988.”

§2656.

[TSCA §216]

Training grants

(a) Grants
The Administrator is authorized to award grants under this section

1064

TSCA §216

to nonprofit organizations that demonstrate experience in implementing and operating health and safety asbestos training and education
programs for workers who are or will be engaged in asbestos-related
activities (including State and local governments, colleges and universities, joint labor-management trust funds, and nonprofit government
employee organizations) to establish and, or, operate asbestos training
programs on a not-for-profit basis. Applications for grants under this
subsection shall be submitted in such form and manner, and contain
such information, as the Administrator prescribes.
(b) Authorization
Of such sums as are authorized to be appropriated pursuant to section 4021(a) of title 20 for the fiscal years 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, and
1995, not more than $5,000,000 are authorized to be appropriated to
carry out this section in each such fiscal year.
(Pub. L. 94-469, title II, §216, as added Pub. L. 101-637, §16(a)(1), Nov. 28,
1990, 104 Stat. 4597.)
Effective Date
Section 16(b) of Pub. L. 101-637 provided that: “Section 216 of the Toxic Substances Control Act [this section], as added by subsection (a), shall take effect on the
date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 28, 1990].”

TSCA §304

TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT

15 U.S.C. §2664

Subchapter III—Indoor Radon Abatement
§2661.

[TSCA §301]

National goal

The national long-term goal of the United States with respect to
radon levels in buildings is that the air within buildings in the
United States should be as free of radon as the ambient air outside of
buildings.
(Pub. L. 94-469, title III, §301, as added Pub. L. 100-551, §1(a), Oct. 28, 1988,
102 Stat. 2755.)
Report On Recommended Policy For Dealing With Radon In Assisted
Housing
Pub. L. 100-628, title X, Sec. 1091, Nov. 7, 1988, 102 Stat. 3283, provided that:
“(a) Purposes.—The purposes of this section are—
“(1) to require the Department of Housing and Urban Development to develop
an effective departmental policy for dealing with radon contamination that utilizes any Environmental Protection Agency guidelines and standards to ensure
that occupants of housing covered by this section are not exposed to hazardous
levels of radon; and
“(2) to require the Department of Housing and Urban Development to assist the
Environmental Protection Agency in reducing radon contamination.
“(b) Program.—
“(1) Applicability.—The housing covered by this section is—
“(A) multifamily housing owned by the Department of Housing and Urban
Development;
“(B) public housing and Indian housing assisted under the United States
Housing Act of 1937 [42 U.S.C. 1437 et seq.];
“(C) housing receiving project-based assistance under section 8 of the
United States Housing Act of 1937 [42 U.S.C. 1437f];
“(D) housing assisted under section 236 of the National Housing Act [12
U.S.C. 1715z-1]; and
“(E) housing assisted under section 221(d)(3) of the National Housing Act
[12 U.S.C. 1715l(d)(3)].
“(2) In general.—The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall develop and recommend to the Congress a policy for dealing with radon contamination that specifies programs for education, research, testing, and mitigation of radon hazards in housing covered by this section.
“(3) Standards.—In developing the policy, the Secretary shall utilize any
guidelines, information, or standards established by the Environmental Protection Agency for—
“(A) testing residential and nonresidential structures for radon;
“(B) identifying elevated radon levels;
“(C) identifying when remedial actions should be taken; and
“(D) identifying geographical areas that are likely to have elevated levels of
radon.
“(4) Coordination.—In developing the policy, the Secretary shall coordinate
the efforts of the Department of Housing and Urban Development with the Environmental Protection Agency, and other appropriate Federal agencies, and shall
consult with State and local governments, the housing industry, consumer groups,
health organizations, appropriate professional organizations, and other appropriate experts.
“(5) Report.—The Secretary shall submit a report to the Congress within 1
year after the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 7, 1988] that describes the
Secretary’s recommended policy for dealing with radon contamination and the
Secretary’s reasons for recommending such policy. The report shall include an estimate of the housing covered by this section that is likely to have hazardous levels
of radon.
“(c) Cooperation With Environmental Protection Agency.—Within 6 months
after the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 7, 1988], the Secretary and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency shall enter into a memorandum
of understanding describing the Secretary’s plan to assist the Administrator in carrying out the Environmental Protection Agency’s authority to assess the extent of radon contamination in the United States and assist in the development of measures to
avoid and reduce radon contamination.
“(d) Definitions.—For purposes of this section:
“(1) Administrator.—The term ‘Administrator’ means the Administrator of
the Environmental Protection Agency.
“(2) Secretary.—The term ‘Secretary’means the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
“(e) Authorization.—Funds available for housing covered by this section shall
be available to carry out this section with respect to such housing.”

§2662.

[TSCA §302]

Definitions

For purposes of this subchapter:
(1) The term “local educational agency” means—
10.
11.

(A) any local educational agency as defined in section 7801 of
title 20;
(B) the owner of any nonprofit elementary or secondary
school building; and
(C) the governing authority of any school operated pursuant to
section 241 of title 20 as in effect before enactment of the Improving America’s Schools Act of 1994 or successor authority, relating
to impact aid for children who reside on Federal property.
(2) The term “nonprofit elementary or secondary school” has the
meaning given such term by section 2642(8)10 of this title.
(3) The term “radon” means the radioactive gaseous element and
its short-lived decay products produced by the disintegration of the
element radium occurring in air, water, soil, or other media.
(4) The term “school building” has the meaning given such term
by section 2642(13) of this title.
(Pub. L. 94-469, title III, §302, as added Pub. L. 100-551, §1(a), Oct. 28, 1988,
102 Stat. 2755; Pub. L. 103-382, §§391(c)(4), 392(b)(2), Oct. 20, 1994, 108
Stat. 4022, 4026; Pub. L. 107-110, title X, §1076(f)(2), Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat.
2091.)
References In Text
Section 241 of title 20, as in effect before enactment of the Improving America’s
Schools Act of 1994, referred to in par (1)(C), means section 241 of Title 20, Education, prior to its repeal by Pub. L. 103-382, title III, Sec. 331(b), Oct. 20, 1994, 108
Stat. 3965.
Effective Date Of 2002 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 107-110 effective Jan. 8, 2002, except with respect to certain noncompetitive programs and competitive programs, see section 5 of Pub. L.
107-110, set out as an Effective Date note under section 6301 of Title 20, Education.

§2663. [TSCA §303]
EPA Citizen’s Guide

(a) Publication
In order to make continuous progress toward the long-term goal established in section 2661 of this title, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency shall, not later than June 1, 1989, publish and make available to the public an updated version of its document titled “A Citizen’s Guide to Radon”. The Administrator shall revise and republish the guide as necessary thereafter.
(b) Information included
(1) Action levels
The updated citizen’s guide published as provided in subsection
(a) of this section shall include a description of a series of action levels indicating the health risk associated with different levels of radon exposure.
(2) Other information
The updated citizen’s guide shall also include information with
respect to each of the following:
(A) The increased health risk associated with the exposure of
potentially sensitive populations to different levels of radon.
(B) The increased health risk associated with the exposure to
radon of persons engaged in potentially risk-increasing behavior.
(C) The cost and technological feasibility of reducing radon
concentrations within existing and new buildings.
(D) The relationship between short-term and long-term testing
techniques and the relationship between (i) measurements based
on both such techniques, and (ii) the actions11 levels set forth as
provided in paragraph (1).
(E) Outdoor radon levels around the country.
(Pub. L. 94-469, title III, §303, as added Pub. L. 100-551, §1(a), Oct. 28, 1988,
102 Stat. 2755.)

§2664. [TSCA §304]
Model construction standards and techniques

The Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency shall
develop model construction standards and techniques for controlling

So in original. Probably should be section “2642(9)”.
So in original. Probably should be “action”.

1065

15 U.S.C. §2665

ENVIRONMENTAL LAW DESKBOOK

radon levels within new buildings. To the maximum extent possible,
these standards and techniques should be developed with the assistance of organizations involved in establishing national building construction standards and techniques. The Administrator shall make a
draft of the document containing the model standards and techniques
available for public review and comment. The model standards and
techniques shall provide for geographic differences in construction
types and materials, geology, weather, and other variables that may affect radon levels in new buildings. The Administrator shall make final
model standards and techniques available to the public by June 1,
1990. The Administrator shall work to ensure that organizations responsible for developing national model building codes, and authorities which regulate building construction within States or political
subdivisions within States, adopt the Agency’s model standards and
techniques.
(Pub. L. 94-469, title III, §304, as added Pub. L. 100-551, §1(a), Oct. 28, 1988,
102 Stat. 2756.)

§2665.

[TSCA §305]

Technical assistance to States for radon programs

(a) Required activities
The Administrator (or another Federal department or agency designated by the Administrator) shall develop and implement activities
designed to assist State radon programs. These activities may include,
but are not limited to, the following:
(1) Establishment of a clearinghouse of radon related information, including mitigation studies, public information materials,
surveys of radon levels, and other relevant information.
(2) Operation of a voluntary proficiency program for rating the
effectiveness of radon measurement devices and methods, the effectiveness of radon mitigation devices and methods, and the effectiveness of private firms and individuals offering radon-related architecture, design, engineering, measurement, and mitigation services. The proficiency program under this subparagraph shall be in
operation within one year after October 28, 1988.
(3) Design and implementation of training seminars for State and
local officials and private and professional firms dealing with radon
and addressing topics such as monitoring, analysis, mitigation,
health effects, public information, and program design.
(4) Publication of public information materials concerning radon
health risks and methods of radon mitigation.
(5) Operation of cooperative projects between the Environmental Protection Agency’s Radon Action Program and the State’s radon program. Such projects shall include the Home Evaluation Program, in which the Environmental Protection Agency evaluates
homes and States demonstrate mitigation methods in these homes.
To the maximum extent practicable, consistent with the objectives
of the evaluation and demonstration, homes of low-income persons
should be selected for evaluation and demonstration.
(6) Demonstration of radon mitigation methods in various types
of structures and in various geographic settings and publication of
findings. In the case of demonstration of such methods in homes,
the Administrator should select homes of low-income persons, to
the maximum extent practicable and consistent with the objectives
of the demonstration.
(7) Establishment of a national data base with data organized by
State concerning the location and amounts of radon.
(8) Development and demonstration of methods of radon measurement and mitigation that take into account unique characteristics, if
any, of nonresidential buildings housing child care facilities.
(b) Discretionary assistance
Upon request of a State, the Administrator (or another Federal department or agency designated by the Administrator) may provide
technical assistance to such State in development or implementation
of programs addressing radon. Such assistance may include, but is not
limited to, the following:
(1) Design and implementation of surveys of the location and occurrence of radon within a State.
(2) Design and implementation of public information and education programs.
1066

TSCA §305

(3) Design and implementation of State programs to control radon in existing or new structures.
(4) Assessment of mitigation alternatives in unusual or unconventional structures.
(5) Design and implementation of methods for radon measurement and mitigation for nonresidential buildings housing child care
facilities.
(c) Information provided to professional organizations
The Administrator, or another Federal department or agency designated by the Administrator, shall provide appropriate information
concerning technology and methods of radon assessment and mitigation to professional organizations representing private firms involved
in building design, engineering, and construction.
(d) Proficiency rating program and training seminar
(1) Authorization
There is authorized to be appropriated not more than $1,500,000
for the purposes of initially establishing the proficiency rating program under subsection (a)(2) of this section and the training seminars under subsection (a)(3) of this section.
(2) Charge imposed
To cover the operating costs of such proficiency rating program
and training seminars, the Administrator shall impose on persons
applying for a proficiency rating and on private and professional
firms participating in training seminars such charges as may be necessary to defray the costs of the program or seminars. No such
charge may be imposed on any State or local government.
(3) Special account
Funds derived from the charges imposed under paragraph (2)
shall be deposited in a special account in the Treasury. Amounts in
the special account are authorized to be appropriated only for purposes of administering such proficiency rating program or training
seminars or for reimbursement of funds appropriated to the Administrator to initially establish such program or seminars.
(4) Reimbursement of general fund
During the first three years of the program and seminars, the Administrator shall make every effort, consistent with the goals and
successful operation of the program and seminars, to set charges
imposed under paragraph (2) so that an amount in excess of operation costs is collected. Such excess amount shall be used to reimburse the General Fund of the Treasury for the full amount appropriated to initially establish the program and seminars.
(5) Research
The Administrator shall, in conjunction with other Federal agencies, conduct research to develop, test, and evaluate radon and radon
progeny measurement methods and protocols. The purpose of such
research shall be to assess the ability of those methods and protocols
to accurately assess exposure to radon progeny. Such research shall
include—
(A) conducting comparisons among radon and radon progeny
measurement techniques;
(B) developing measurement protocols for different building
types under varying operating conditions; and
(C) comparing the exposures estimated by stationary monitors
and protocols to those measured by personal monitors, and issue
guidance documents that—
(i) provide information on the results of research conducted
under this paragraph; and
(ii) describe model State radon measurement and mitigation
programs.
(6) Mandatory proficiency testing program study
(A) The Administrator shall conduct a study to determine the
feasibility of establishing a mandatory proficiency testing program that would require that—
(i) any product offered for sale, or device used in connection
with a service offered to the public, for the measurement of radon meets minimum performance criteria; and
(ii) any operator of a device, or person employing a technique,
used in connection with a service offered to the public for the
measurement of radon meets a minimum level of proficiency.
(B) The study shall also address procedures for—

TSCA §306

TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT

(i) ordering the recall of any product sold for the measurement
of radon which does not meet minimum performance criteria;
(ii) ordering the discontinuance of any service offered to the
public for the measurement of radon which does not meet
minimum performance criteria; and
(iii) establishing adequate quality assurance requirements
for each company offering radon measurement services to the
public to follow.
The study shall identify enforcement mechanisms necessary to the
success of the program. The Administrator shall report the findings
of the study with recommendations to Congress by March 1, 1991.
(7) User fee
In addition to any charge imposed pursuant to paragraph (2), the
Administrator shall collect user fees from persons seeking certification under the radon proficiency program in an amount equal to
$1,500,000 to cover the Environmental Protection Agency’s cost of
conducting research pursuant to paragraph (5) for each of the fiscal
years 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, and 1995. Such funds shall be deposited in the account established pursuant to paragraph (3).
(e) Authorization
(1) There is authorized to be appropriated for the purposes of carrying out sections 2663, 2664, and 2665 of this title an amount not to
exceed $3,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1989, 1990, and 1991.
(2) No amount appropriated under this subsection may be used
by the Environmental Protection Agency to administer the grant
program under section 2666 of this title.
(3) No amount appropriated under this subsection may be used to
cover the costs of the proficiency rating program under subsection
(a)(2) of this section.
(Pub. L. 94-469, title III, §305, as added Pub. L. 100-551, §1(a), Oct. 28, 1988,
102 Stat. 2756, and amended Pub. L. 101-508, title X, §10202, Nov. 5, 1990,
104 Stat. 1388-393; Pub. L. 104-66, §2021(l), Dec. 21, 1995, 109 Stat. 728.)

§2666.

[TSCA §306]

Grant assistance to States for radon programs

(a) In general
For each fiscal year, upon application of the Governor of a State, the
Administrator may make a grant, subject to such terms and conditions
as the Administrator considers appropriate, under this section to the
State for the purpose of assisting the State in the development and implementation of programs for the assessment and mitigation of radon.
(b) Application
An application for a grant under this section in any fiscal year shall
contain such information as the Administrator shall require, including
each of the following:
(1) A description of the seriousness and extent of radon exposure
in the State.
(2) An identification of the State agency which has the primary
responsibility for radon programs and which will receive the grant,
a description of the roles and responsibilities of the lead State
agency and any other State agencies involved in radon programs,
and description of the roles and responsibilities of any municipal,
district, or areawide organization involved in radon programs.
(3) A description of the activities and programs related to radon
which the State proposes in such year.
(4) A budget specifying Federal and State funding of each element of activity of the grant application.
(5) A 3-year plan which outlines long range program goals and
objectives, tasks necessary to achieve them, and resource requirements for the entire 3-year period, including anticipated State funding levels and desired Federal funding levels. This clause shall apply only for the initial year in which a grant application is made.
(c) Eligible activities
Activities eligible for grant assistance under this section are the following:
(1) Survey of radon levels, including special surveys of geographic areas or classes of buildings (such as, among others, public
buildings, school buildings, high-risk residential construction
types).

15 U.S.C. §2666

(2) Development of public information and educational materials concerning radon assessment, mitigation, and control programs.
(3) Implementation of programs to control radon in existing and
new structures.
(4) Purchase by the State of radon measurement equipment or
devices.
(5) Purchase and maintenance of analytical equipment connected to radon measurement and analysis, including costs of calibration of such equipment.
(6) Payment of costs of Environmental Protection Agencyapproved training programs related to radon for permanent State or
local employees.
(7) Payment of general overhead and program administration costs.
(8) Development of a data storage and management system for
information concerning radon occurrence, levels, and programs.
(9) Payment of costs of demonstration of radon mitigation methods and technologies as approved by the Administrator, including
State participation in the Environmental Protection Agency Home
Evaluation Program.
(10) A toll-free radon hotline to provide information and technical assistance.
(d) Preference to certain States
Beginning in fiscal year 1991, the Administrator shall give a preference for grant assistance under this section to States that have made
reasonable efforts to ensure the adoption, by the authorities which
regulate building construction within that State or political subdivisions within States, of the model construction standards and techniques for new buildings developed under section 2664 of this title.
(e) Priority activities and projects
The Administrator shall support eligible activities contained in
State applications with the full amount of available funds. In the event
that State applications for funds exceed the total funds available in a
fiscal year, the Administrator shall give priority to activities or projects proposed by States based on each of the following criteria:
(1) The seriousness and extent of the radon contamination problem to be addressed.
(2) The potential for the activity or project to bring about reduction in radon levels.
(3) The potential for development of innovative radon assessment techniques, mitigation measures as approved by the Administrator, or program management approaches which may be of use to
other States.
(4) Any other uniform criteria that the Administrator deems necessary to promote the goals of the grant program and that the Administrator provides to States before the application process.
(f) Federal share
The Federal share of the cost of radon program activities implemented with Federal assistance under this section in any fiscal year
shall not exceed 75 percent of the costs incurred by the State in implementing such program in the first year of a grant to such State, 60 percent in the second year, and 50 percent in the third year. Federal assistance shall be made on the condition that the non-Federal share is provided from non-Federal funds.
(g) Assistance to local governments
States may, at the Governor’s discretion, use funds from grants under this section to assist local governments in implementation of activities eligible for assistance under paragraphs (2), (3), and (6) of subsection (c) of this section.
(h) Information
(1) The Administrator may request such information, data, and
reports developed by the State as he considers necessary to make
the determination of continuing eligibility under this section.
(2) Any State receiving funds under this section shall provide to
the Administrator all radon-related information generated in its activities, including the results of radon surveys, mitigation demonstration projects, and risk communication studies.
(3) Any State receiving funds under this section shall maintain,
and make available to the public, a list of firms and individuals
within the State that have received a passing rating under the Environmental Protection Agency proficiency rating program referred
1067

15 U.S.C. §2667

ENVIRONMENTAL LAW DESKBOOK

to in section 2665(a)(2) of this title. The list shall also include the
address and phone number of such firms and individuals, together
with the proficiency rating received by each. The Administrator
shall make such list available to the public at appropriate locations
in each State which does not receive funds under this section unless
the State assumes such responsibility.
(i) Limitations
(1) No grant may be made under this section in any fiscal year to a
State which in the preceding fiscal year received a grant under this
section unless the Administrator determines that such State satisfactorily implemented the activities funded by the grant in such preceding fiscal year.
(2) The costs of implementing paragraphs (4) and (9) of subsection
(c) of this section shall not in the aggregate exceed 50 percent of the
amount of any grant awarded under this section to a State in a fiscal
year. In implementing such paragraphs, a State should make every
effort, consistent with the goals and successful operation of the State
radon program, to give a preference to low-income persons.
(3) The costs of general overhead and program administration
under subsection (c)(7) of this section shall not exceed 25 percent of
the amount of any grant awarded under this section to a State in a
fiscal year.
(4) A State may use funds received under this section for financial assistance to persons only to the extent such assistance is related to demonstration projects or the purchase and analysis of radon measurement devices.
(j) Authorization
(1) There is authorized to be appropriated for grant assistance under this section an amount not to exceed $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1989, 1990, and 1991.
(2) There is authorized to be appropriated for the purpose of administering the grant program under this section such sums as may
be necessary for each of such fiscal years.
(3) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, not more
than 10 percent of the amount appropriated to carry out this section
may be used to make grants to any one State.
(4) Funds not obligated to States in the fiscal year for which funds
are appropriated under this section shall remain available for obligation during the next fiscal year.
(5) No amount appropriated under this subsection may be used to
cover the costs of the proficiency rating program under section
2665(a)(2) of this title.
(Pub. L. 94-469, title III, §306, as added Pub. L. 100-551, §1(a), Oct. 28, 1988,
102 Stat. 2758.)
Effective Date
Pub. L. 109-54, title II, Aug. 2, 2005, 119 Stat. 531, provided: “Beginning in fiscal
year 2006 and thereafter, and notwithstanding section 306 of the Toxic Substances
Control Act [this section], the Federal share of the cost of radon program activities
implemented with Federal assistance under section 306 [this section] shall not exceed 60 percent in the third and subsequent grant years.”

§2667.

[TSCA §307]

Radon in schools

(a) Study of radon in schools
(1) Authority
The Administrator shall conduct a study for the purpose of determining the extent of radon contamination in the Nation’s school
buildings.
(2) List of high probability areas
In carrying out such study, the Administrator shall identify and
compile a list of areas within the United States which the Administrator determines have a high probability of including schools
which have elevated levels of radon.
(3) Basis of list
In compiling such list, the Administrator shall make such determinations on the basis of, among other things, each of the
following:
(A) Geological data.
(B) Data on high radon levels in homes and other structures
nearby any such school.
1068

TSCA §307

(C) Physical characteristics of the school buildings.
(4) Survey
In conducting such study the Administrator shall design a survey
which when completed allows Congress to characterize the extent
of radon contamination in schools in each State. The survey shall
include testing from a representative sample of schools in each
high-risk area identified in paragraph (1) and shall include additional testing, to the extent resources are available for such testing.
The survey also shall include any reliable testing data supplied by
States, schools, or other parties.
(5) Assistance
(A) The Administrator shall make available to the appropriate
agency of each State, as designated by the Governor of such
State, a list of high risk areas within each State, including a delineation of such areas and any other data available to the Administrator for schools in that State. To assist such agencies, the Administrator also shall provide guidance and data detailing the
risks associated with high radon levels, technical guidance and
related information concerning testing for radon within schools,
and methods of reducing radon levels.
(B) In addition to the assistance authorized by subparagraph
(A), the Administrator is authorized to make available to the appropriate agency of each State, as designated by the Governor of
such State, devices suitable for use by such agencies in conducting tests for radon within the schools under the jurisdiction of any
such State agency. The Administrator is authorized to make
available to such agencies the use of laboratories of the Environmental Protection Agency, or to recommend laboratories, to
evaluate any such devices for the presence of radon levels.
(6) Diagnostic and remedial efforts
The Administrator is authorized to select, from high-risk areas
identified in paragraph (2), school buildings for purposes of enabling the Administrator to undertake diagnostic and remedial efforts to reduce the levels of radon in such school buildings. Such diagnostic and remedial efforts shall be carried out with a view to developing technology and expertise for the purpose of making such
technology and expertise available to any local educational agency
and the several States.
(7) Status report
On or before October 1, 1989, the Administrator shall submit to
the Congress a status report with respect to action taken by the Administrator in conducting the study required by this section, including the results of the Administrator’s diagnostic and remedial work.
On or before October 1, 1989, the Administrator shall submit a final
report setting forth the results of the study conducted pursuant to
this section, including the results of the Administrator’s diagnostic
and remedial work, and the recommendations of the Administrator.
(b) Authorization
For the purpose of carrying out the provisions of paragraph (6) of
subsection (a) of this section, there are authorized to be appropriated
such sums, not to exceed $500,000, as may be necessary. For the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this section other than such paragraph (6), there are authorized to be appropriated such sums, not to exceed $1,000,000, as may be necessary.
(Pub. L. 94-469, title III, §307, as added Pub. L. 100-551, §1(a), Oct. 28, 1988,
102 Stat. 2761.)

§2668. [TSCA §308]
Regional radon training centers

(a) Funding program
Upon application of colleges, universities, institutions of higher
learning, or consortia of such institutions, the Administrator may
make a grant or cooperative agreement, subject to such terms and conditions as the Administrator considers appropriate, under this section
to the applicant for the purpose of establishing and operating a regional radon training center.
(b) Purpose of centers
The purpose of a regional radon training center is to develop information and provide training to Federal and State officials, professional and private firms, and the public regarding the health risks

TSCA §311

TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT

posed by radon and demonstrated methods of radon measurement and
mitigation.
(c) Applications
Any colleges, universities, institutions of higher learning or consortia of such institutions may submit an application for funding under
this section. Such applications shall be submitted to the Administrator
in such form and containing such information as the Administrator
may require.
(d) Selection criteria
The Administrator shall support at least 3 eligible applications with
the full amount of available funds. The Administrator shall select recipients of funding under this section to ensure that funds are equitably
allocated among regions of the United States, and on the basis of each
of the following criteria:
(1) The extent to which the applicant’s program will promote the
purpose described in subsection (b) of this section.
(2) The demonstrated expertise of the applicant regarding radon measurement and mitigation methods and other radonrelated issues.
(3) The demonstrated expertise of the applicant in radon
training and in activities relating to information development
and dissemination.
(4) The seriousness of the radon problem in the region. (5) The
geographical coverage of the proposed center.
(6) Any other uniform criteria that the Administrator deems necessary to promote the purpose described in subsection (b) of this
section and that the Administrator provides to potential applicants
prior to the application process.
(e) Termination of funding
No funding may be given under this section in any fiscal year to an
applicant which in the preceding fiscal year received funding under
this section unless the Administrator determines that the recipient satisfactorily implemented the activities that were funded in the preceding year.
(f) Authorization
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out the program under this section not to exceed $1,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1989,
1990, and 1991.
(Pub. L. 94-469, title III, §308, as added Pub. L. 100-551, §1(a), Oct. 28, 1988,
102 Stat. 2762.)

§2669.

[TSCA §309]

Study of radon in Federal buildings

(a) Study requirement
The head of each Federal department or agency that owns a Federal building shall conduct a study for the purpose of determining the
extent of radon contamination in such buildings. Such study shall include, in the case of a Federal building using a nonpublic water
source (such as a well or other groundwater), radon contamination of
the water.
(b) High-risk Federal buildings
(1) The Administrator shall identify and compile a list of areas
within the United States which the Administrator, in consultation
with Federal departments and agencies, determines have a high
probability of including Federal buildings which have elevated levels of radon.
(2) In compiling such list, the Administrator shall make such determinations on the basis of, among other things, the following:
(A) Geological data.
(B) Data on high radon levels in homes and other structures
near any such Federal building.
(C) Physical characteristics of the Federal buildings.

15 U.S.C. §2671

(c) Study designs
Studies required under subsection (a) of this section shall be based
on design criteria specified by the Administrator. The head of each
Federal department or agency conducting such a study shall submit,
not later than July 1, 1989, a study design to the Administrator for approval. The study design shall follow the most recent Environmental
Protection Agency guidance documents, including “A Citizen’s
Guide to Radon”; the “Interim Protocol for Screening and Follow Up:
Radon and Radon Decay Products Measurements”; the “Interim Indoor Radon & Radon Decay Product Measurement Protocol”; and any
other recent guidance documents. The study design shall include testing data from a representative sample of Federal buildings in each
high-risk area identified in subsection (b) of this section. The study design also shall include additional testing data to the extent resources
are available, including any reliable data supplied by Federal agencies, States, or other parties.
(d) Information on risks and testing
(1) The Administrator shall provide to the departments or agencies
conducting studies under subsection (a) of this section the following:
(A) Guidance and data detailing the risks associated with high
radon levels.
(B) Technical guidance and related information concerning
testing for radon within Federal buildings and water supplies.
(C) Technical guidance and related information concerning
methods for reducing radon levels.
(2) In addition to the assistance required by paragraph (1), the
Administrator is authorized to make available, on a cost reimbursable basis, to the departments or agencies conducting studies under
subsection (a) of this section devices suitable for use by such departments or agencies in conducting tests for radon within Federal
buildings. For the purpose of assisting such departments or agencies in evaluating any such devices for the presence of radon levels,
the Administrator is authorized to recommend laboratories or to
make available to such departments or agencies, on a cost reimbursable basis, the use of laboratories of the Environmental Protection
Agency.
(e) Study deadline
Not later than June 1, 1990, the head of each Federal department or
agency conducting a study under subsection (a) of this section shall
complete the study and provide the study to the Administrator.
(f) Report to Congress
Not later than October 1, 1990, the Administrator shall submit a report to the Congress describing the results of the studies conducted
pursuant to subsection (a) of this section.
(Pub. L. 94-469, title III, §309, as added Pub. L. 100-551, §1(a), Oct. 28, 1988,
102 Stat. 2763.)

§2670. [TSCA §310]
Regulations

The Administrator is authorized to issue such regulations as may be
necessary to carry out the provisions of this subchapter.
(Pub. L. 94-469, title III, §310, as added Pub. L. 100-551, §1(a), Oct. 28, 1988,
102 Stat. 2764.)

§2671. [TSCA §311]
Additional authorizations

Amounts authorized to be appropriated in this subchapter for purposes of carrying out the provisions of this subchapter are in addition
to amounts authorized to be appropriated under other provisions of
law for radon-related activities.
(Pub. L. 94-469, title III, §311, as added Pub. L. 100-551, §1(a), Oct. 28, 1988,
102 Stat. 2764.)

1069

15 U.S.C. §2681

ENVIRONMENTAL LAW DESKBOOK

TSCA §401

Subchapter IV—Lead Exposure Reduction
§2681.

[TSCA §401]

Definitions

For the purposes of this title:
(1) Abatement
The term “abatement” means any set of measures designed to
permanently eliminate lead-based paint hazards in accordance with
standards established by the Administrator under this title. Such
term includes—
(A) the removal of lead-based paint and lead-contaminated
dust, the permanent containment or encapsulation of lead-based
paint, the replacement of lead-painted surfaces or fixtures, and
the removal or covering of lead-contaminated soil; and
(B) all preparation, cleanup, disposal, and postabatement
clearance testing activities associated with such measures.
(2) Accessible surface
The term “accessible surface” means an interior or exterior surface painted with lead-based paint that is accessible for a young
child to mouth or chew.
(3) Deteriorated paint
The term “deteriorated paint” means any interior or exterior
paint that is peeling, chipping, chalking or cracking or any paint
located on an interior or exterior surface or fixture that is damaged
or deteriorated.
(4) Evaluation
The term “evaluation” means risk assessment, inspection, or risk
assessment and inspection.
(5) Friction surface
The term “friction surface” means an interior or exterior surface
that is subject to abrasion or friction, including certain window,
floor, and stair surfaces.
(6) Impact surface
The term “impact surface” means an interior or exterior surface
that is subject to damage by repeated impacts, for example, certain
parts of door frames.
(7) Inspection
The term “inspection” means (A) a surface-by-surface investigation to determine the presence of lead-based paint, as provided
in section 302(c) of the Lead-Based Paint Poisoning. Prevention
Act, and (B) the provision of a report explaining the results of the
investigation.
(8) Interim controls
The term “interim controls” means a set of measures designed to
reduce temporarily human exposure or likely exposure to leadbased paint hazards, including specialized cleaning, repairs, maintenance, painting, temporary containment, ongoing monitoring of
lead-based paint hazards or potential hazards, and the establishment
and operation of management and resident education programs.
(9) Lead-based paint
The term “lead-based paint” means paint or other surface coatings that contain lead in excess of 1.0 milligrams per centimeter
squared or 0.5 percent by weight or (A) in the case of paint or other
surface coatings on target housing, such lower level as may be established by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, as
defined in section 302(c) of the Lead-Based Paint Poisoning Prevention Act, or (B) in the case of any other paint or surface coatings,
such other level as may be established by the Administrator.
(10) Lead-based paint hazard
The term “lead-based paint hazard” means any condition that
causes exposure to lead from lead-contaminated dust, leadcontaminated soil, lead-contaminated paint that is deteriorated or
present in accessible surfaces, friction surfaces, or impact surfaces
that would result in adverse human health effects as established by
the Administrator under this title.
(11) Lead-contaminated dust
The term “lead-contaminated dust” means surface dust in residential dwellings that contains an area or mass concentration of lead
1070

in excess of levels determined by the Administrator under this title
to pose a threat of adverse health effects in pregnant women or
young children.
(12) Lead-contaminated soil
The term “lead-contaminated soil” means bare soil on residential
real property that contains lead at or in excess of the levels determined to be hazardous to human health by the Administrator under
this title.
(13) Reduction
The term “reduction” means measures designed to reduce or
eliminate human exposure to lead-based paint hazards through
methods including interim controls and abatement.
(14) Residential dwelling
The term “residential dwelling” means—
(A) a single-family dwelling, including attached structures
such as porches and stoops; or
(B) a single-family dwelling unit in a structure that contains
more than 1 separate residential dwelling unit, and in which each
such unit is used or occupied, or intended to be used or occupied,
in whole or in part, as the home or residence of 1 or more persons.
(15) Residential real property
The term “residential real property” means real property on
which there is situated 1 or more residential dwellings used or occupied, or intended to be used or occupied, in whole or in part, as the
home or residence of 1 or more persons.
(16) Risk assessment
The term “risk assessment” means an on-site investigation to determine and report the existence, nature, severity and location of
lead-based paint hazards in residential dwellings, including—
(A) information gathering regarding the age and history of the
housing and occupancy by children under age 6;
(B) visual inspection;
(C) limited wipe sampling or other environmental sampling
techniques;
(D) other activity as may be appropriate; and
(E) provision of a report explaining the results of the
investigation.
(17) Target housing
The term “target housing” means any housing constructed prior
to 1978, except housing for the elderly or persons with disabilities
(unless any child who is less than 6 years of age resides or is expected to reside in such housing for the elderly or persons with disabilities) or any 0-bedroom dwelling. In the case of jurisdictions
which banned the sale or use of lead-based paint prior to 1978, the
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, at the Secretary’s
discretion, may designate an earlier date.
(Pub. L. 102-550, §1021(a), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3912.)

§2682. [TSCA §402]
Lead-based paint activities training and certification

(a) Regulations
(1) In general
Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this
section, the Administrator shall, in consultation with the Secretary
of Labor, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, and
the Secretary of Health and Human Services (acting through the Director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health),
promulgate final regulations governing lead-based paint activities
to ensure that individuals engaged in such activities are properly
trained; that training programs are accredited; and that contractors
engaged in such activities are certified. Such regulations shall contain standards for performing lead-based paint activities, taking
into account reliability, effectiveness, and safety. Such regulations
shall require that all risk assessment, inspection, and abatement activities performed in target housing shall be performed by certified
contractors, as such term is defined in section 1004 of the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992. The provi-

TSCA §404

TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT

sions of this section shall supersede the provisions set forth under
the heading “Lead Abatement Training and Certification” and under the heading “Training Grants” in title III of the Act entitled “An
Act making appropriations for the Departments of Veterans Affairs
and Housing and Urban Development, and for sundry independent
agencies, commissions, corporations, and offices for the fiscal year
ending September 30, 1992, and for other purposes”, Public Law
102-139, and upon the enactment of this section the provisions set
forth in such public law under such headings shall cease to have any
force and effect.
(2) Accreditation of training programs
Final regulations promulgated under paragraph (1) shall contain
specific requirements for the accreditation of lead-based paint activities training programs for workers, supervisors, inspectors and
planners, and other individuals involved in lead-based paint activities, including, but not limited to, each of the following:
(A) Minimum requirements for the accreditation of training
providers.
(B) Minimum training curriculum requirements.
(C) Minimum training hour requirements.
(D) Minimum hands-on training requirements.
(E) Minimum trainee competency and proficiency
requirements.
(F) Minimum requirements for training program quality
control.
(3) Accreditation and certification fees
The Administrator (or the State in the case of an authorized State
program) shall impose a fee on—
(A) persons operating training programs accredited under this
title; and
(B) lead-based paint activities contractors certified in accordance with paragraph (1).
The fees shall be established at such level as is necessary to cover
the costs of administering and enforcing the standards and regulations under this section which are applicable to such programs and
contractors. The fee shall not be imposed on any State, local government, or nonprofit training program. The Administrator (or the
State in the case of an authorized State program) may waive the fee
for lead-based paint activities contractors under subparagraph (A)
for the purpose of training their own employees.
(b) Lead-based paint activities
For purposes of this title, the term “lead-based paint activities”
means—
(1) in the case of target housing, risk assessment, inspection, and
abatement; and
(2) in the case of any public building constructed before 1978,
commercial building, bridge, or other structure or superstructure, identification of lead-based paint and materials containing
lead-based paint, deleading, removal of lead from bridges, and
demolition.
For purposes of paragraph (2), the term “deleading” means activities
conducted by a person who offers to eliminate lead-based paint or
lead-based paint hazards or to plan such activities.
(c) Renovation and remodeling
(1) Guidelines
In order to reduce the risk of exposure to lead in connection with
renovation and remodeling of target housing, public buildings
constructed before 1978, and commercial buildings, the Administrator shall, within 18 months after the enactment of this section,
promulgate guidelines for the conduct of such renovation and remodeling activities which may create a risk of exposure to dangerous levels of lead. The Administrator shall disseminate such
guidelines to persons engaged in such renovation and remodeling
through hardware and paint stores, employee organizations, trade
groups, State and local agencies, and through other appropriate
means.
(2) Study of certification
The Administrator shall conduct a study of the extent to which
persons engaged in various types of renovation and remodeling activities in target housing, public buildings constructed before 1978,

15 U.S.C. §2684

and commercial buildings are exposed to lead in the conduct of
such activities or disturb lead and create a lead-based paint hazard
on a regular or occasional basis. The Administrator shall complete
such study and publish the results thereof within 30 months after the
enactment of this section.
(3) Certification determination
Within 4 years after the enactment of this section, the Administrator shall revise the regulations under subsection (a) to apply the
regulations to renovation or remodeling activities in target housing, public buildings constructed before 1978, and commercial
buildings that create lead-based paint hazards. In determining
which contractors are engaged in such activities, the Administrator shall utilize the results of the study under paragraph (2) and
consult with the representatives of labor organizations, leadbased paint activities contractors, persons engaged in remodeling
and renovation, experts in lead health effects, and others. If the
Administrator determines that any category of contractors engaged in renovation or remodeling does not require certification,
the Administrator shall publish an explanation of the basis for that
determination.
(Pub. L. 102-550, §1021(a), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3914.)

§2683. [TSCA §403]
Identification of dangerous levels of lead

Within 18 months after the enactment of this title, the Administrator
shall promulgate regulations which shall identify, for purposes of this
title and the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of
1992, lead-based paint hazards, lead-contaminated dust, and leadcontaminated soil.
(Pub. L. 102-550, §1021(a), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3916.)
References In Text
The Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992, referred to in
the text, is Pub. L. 102-550, Title X §1001 et. seq., Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3897,
which is classified generally to chapter 63A (section 4851 et. seq.) of Title 42, The
Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of that Act to the Code see
Short Title note under section 4851 of Title 42 and Tables.

§2684. [TSCA §404]
Authorized state programs

(a) Approval
Any State which seeks to administer and enforce the standards,
regulations, or other requirements established under section 402 or
406, or both, may, after notice and opportunity for public hearing, develop and submit to the Administrator an application, in such form as
the Administrator shall require, for authorization of such a State program. Any such State may also certify to the Administrator at the time
of submitting such program that the State program meets the requirements of paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (b). Upon submission of
such certification, the State program shall be deemed to be authorized
under this section, and shall apply in such State in lieu of the corresponding Federal program under section 402 or 406, or both, as the
case may be, until such time as the Administrator disapproves the program or withdraws the authorization.
(b) Approval or disapproval
Within 180 days following submission of an application under subsection (a), the Administrator shall approve or disapprove the application. The Administrator may approve the application only if, after notice and after opportunity for public hearing, the Administrator finds
that—
(1) the State program is at least as protective of human health and
the environment as the Federal program under section 402 or 406,
or both, as the case may be, and
(2) such State program provides adequate enforcement.
Upon authorization of a State program under this section, it shall be
unlawful for any person to violate or fail or refuse to comply with any
requirement of such program.
(c) Withdrawal of authorization
If a State is not administering and enforcing a program authorized
under this section in compliance with standards, regulations, and other
requirements of this title, the Administrator shall so notify the State
1071

15 U.S.C. §2685

ENVIRONMENTAL LAW DESKBOOK

and, if corrective action is not completed within a reasonable time, not
to exceed 180 days, the Administrator shall withdraw authorization of
such program and establish a Federal program pursuant to this title.
(d) Model state program
Within 18 months after the enactment of this title, the Administrator shall promulgate a model State program which may be adopted
by any State which seeks to administer and enforce a State program
under this title. Such model program shall, to the extent practicable,
encourage States to utilize existing State and local certification and
accreditation programs and procedures. Such program shall encourage reciprocity among the States with respect to the certification under section 402.
(e) Other state requirements
Nothing in this title shall be construed to prohibit any State or political subdivision thereof from imposing any requirements which are
more stringent than those imposed by this title.
(f) State and local certification
The regulations under this title shall, to the extent appropriate, encourage States to seek program authorization and to use existing State
and local certification and accreditation procedures, except that a
State or local government shall not require more than 1 certification
under this section for any lead-based paint activities contractor to
carry out lead-based paint activities in the State or political subdivision thereof.
(g) Grants to states
The Administrator is authorized to make grants to States to develop
and carry out authorized State programs under this section. The grants
shall be subject to such terms and conditions as the Administrator may
establish to further the purposes of this title.
(h) Enforcement by Administrator
If a State does not have a State program authorized under this section and in effect by the date which is 2 years after promulgation of the
regulations under section 402 or 406, the Administrator shall, by such
date, establish a Federal program for section 402 or 406 (as the case
may be) for such State and administer and enforce such program in
such State.
(Pub. L. 102-550, §1021(a), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3916.)

§2685.

[TSCA §405]

Lead abatement and measurement

(a) Program to promote lead exposure abatement
The Administrator, in cooperation with other appropriate Federal
departments and agencies, shall conduct a comprehensive program to
promote safe, effective, and affordable monitoring, detection, and
abatement of lead-based paint and other lead exposure hazards.
(b) Standards for environmental sampling laboratories
(1) The Administrator shall establish protocols, criteria, and
minimum performance standards for laboratory analysis of lead in
paint films, soil, and dust. Within 2 years after the enactment of this
title, the Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary of Health
and Human Services, shall establish a program to certify laboratories as qualified to test substances for lead content unless the Administrator determines, by the date specified in this paragraph, that
effective voluntary accreditation programs are in place and operating on a nationwide basis at the time of such determination. To be
certified under such program, a laboratory shall, at a minimum,
demonstrate an ability to test substances accurately for lead content.
(2) Not later than 24 months after the date of the enactment of this
section, and annually thereafter, the Administrator shall publish
and make available to the public a list of certified or accredited environmental sampling laboratories.
(3) If the Administrator determines under paragraph (1) that effective voluntary accreditation programs are in place for environmental sampling laboratories, the Administrator shall review the
performance and effectiveness of such programs within 3 years after such determination. If, upon such review, the Administrator determines that the voluntary accreditation programs are not effective

12.

1072

So in original. The comma probably should not appear.

TSCA §405

in assuring the quality and consistency of laboratory analyses,
the Administrator shall, not more than 12 months thereafter, establish a certification program that meets the requirements of
paragraph (1).
(c) Exposure studies
(1) The Secretary of Health and Human Services (hereafter in
this subsection referred to as the “Secretary”), acting through the
Director of the Centers for Disease Control,12 (CDC), and the Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences,
shall jointly conduct a study of the sources of lead exposure in children who have elevated blood lead levels (or other indicators of elevated lead body burden), as defined by the Director of the Centers
for Disease Control.
(2) The Secretary, in consultation with the Director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, shall conduct a
comprehensive study of means to reduce hazardous occupational
lead abatement exposures. This study shall include, at a minimum,
each of the following—
(A) Surveillance and intervention capability in the States to
identify and prevent hazardous exposures to lead abatement
workers.
(B) Demonstration of lead abatement control methods and devices and work practices to identify and prevent hazardous lead
exposures in the workplace.
(C) Evaluation, in consultation with the National Institute of
Environmental Health Sciences, of health effects of low and high
levels of occupational lead exposures on reproductive, neurological, renal, and cardiovascular health.
(D) Identification of high risk occupational settings to which
prevention activities and resources should be targeted.
(E) A study assessing the potential exposures and risks from
lead to janitorial and custodial workers.
(3) The studies described in paragraphs (1) and (2) shall, as appropriate, examine the relative contributions to elevated lead body
burden from each of the following:
(A) Drinking water.
(B) Food.
(C) Lead-based paint and dust from lead-based paint.
(D) Exterior sources such as ambient air and lead in soil.
(E) Occupational exposures, and other exposures that the Secretary determines to be appropriate.
(4) Not later than 30 months after the date of the enactment of this
section, the Secretary shall submit a report to the Congress concerning the studies described in paragraphs (1) and (2).
(d) Public education
(1) The Administrator, in conjunction with the Secretary of
Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, and in conjunction with the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, shall
sponsor public education and outreach activities to increase public
awareness of—
(A) the scope and severity of lead poisoning from household
sources;
(B) potential exposure to sources of lead in schools and childhood day care centers;
(C) the implications of exposures for men and women, particularly those of childbearing age;
(D) the need for careful, quality, abatement and management
actions;
(E) the need for universal screening of children;
(F) other components of a lead poisoning prevention program;
(G) the health consequences of lead exposure resulting from
lead-based paint hazards;
(H) risk assessment and inspection methods for lead-based
paint hazards; and
(I) measures to reduce the risk of lead exposure from leadbased paint.
(2) The activities described in paragraph (1) shall be designed to
provide educational services and information to

TSCA §408

TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT

(A) health professionals;
(B) the general public, with emphasis on parents of young
children;
(C) homeowners, landlords, and tenants;
(D) consumers of home improvement products;
(E) the residential real estate industry; and
(F) the home renovation industry.
(3) In implementing the activities described in paragraph (1), the
Administrator shall assure coordination with the President’s Commission on Environmental Quality’s education and awareness campaign on lead poisoning.
(4) The Administrator, in consultation with the Chairman of the
Consumer Product Safety Commission, shall develop information
to be distributed by retailers of home improvement products to provide consumers with practical information related to the hazards of
renovation and remodeling where lead-based paint may be present.
(e) Technical assistance
(1) Clearinghouse
Not later than 6 months after the enactment of this subsection, the
Administrator shall establish, in consultation with the Secretary of
Housing and Urban Development and the Director of the Centers
for Disease Control, a National Clearinghouse on Childhood Lead
Poisoning (hereinafter in this section referred to as “Clearinghouse”). The Clearinghouse shall—
(A) collect, evaluate, and disseminate current information on
the assessment and reduction of lead-based paint hazards, adverse health effects, sources of exposure, detection and risk assessment methods, environmental hazards abatement, and
clean-up standards;
(B) maintain a rapid-alert system to inform certified leadbased paint activities contractors of significant developments in
research related to lead-based paint hazards; and
(C) perform any other duty that the Administrator determines
necessary to achieve the purposes of this Act.
(2) Hotline
Not later than 6 months after the enactment of this subsection, the
Administrator, in cooperation with other Federal agencies and with
State and local governments, shall establish a single lead-based
paint hazard hotline to provide the public with answers to questions
about lead poisoning prevention and referrals to the Clearinghouse
for technical information.
(f) Products for lead-based paint activities
Not later than 30 months after the date of enactment of this section,
the President shall, after notice and opportunity for comment, establish by rule appropriate criteria, testing protocols, and performance
characteristics as are necessary to ensure, to the greatest extent possible and consistent with the purposes and policy of this title, that leadbased paint hazard evaluation and reduction products introduced into
commerce after a period specified in the rule are effective for the intended use described by the manufacturer. The rule shall identify the
types or classes of products that are subject to such rule. The President,
in implementation of the rule, shall, to the maximum extent possible,
utilize independent testing laboratories, as appropriate, and consult
with such entities and others in developing the rules. The President
may delegate the authorities under this subsection to the Environmental Protection Agency or the Secretary of Commerce or such other appropriate agency.
(Pub. L. 102-550, §1021(a), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3917.)

§2686.

[TSCA §406]

Lead hazard information pamphlet

(a) Lead hazard information pamphlet
Not later than 2 years after the enactment of this section, after notice
and opportunity for comment, the Administrator of the Environmental
Protection Agency, in consultation with the Secretary of Housing and
Urban Development and with the Secretary of Health and Human
Services, shall publish, and from time to time revise, a lead hazard information pamphlet to be used in connection with this title and section
1018 of the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of
1992. The pamphlet shall—

15 U.S.C. §2688

(1) contain information regarding the health risks associated
with exposure to lead;
(2) provide information on the presence of lead-based paint hazards in federally assisted, federally owned, and target housing;
(3) describe the risks of lead exposure for children under 6 years
of age, pregnant women, women of childbearing age, persons involved in home renovation, and others residing in a dwelling with
lead-based paint hazards;
(4) describe the risks of renovation in a dwelling with lead-based
paint hazards;
(5) provide information on approved methods for evaluating and
reducing lead-based paint hazards and their effectiveness in identifying, reducing, eliminating, or preventing exposure to lead-based
paint hazards;
(6) advise persons how to obtain a list of contractors certified
pursuant to this title in lead-based paint hazard evaluation and reduction in the area in which the pamphlet is to be used;
(7) state that a risk assessment or inspection for lead-based paint
is recommended prior to the purchase, lease, or renovation of target
housing;
(8) state that certain State and local laws impose additional requirements related to lead-based paint in housing and provide a listing of Federal, State, and local agencies in each State, including address and telephone number, that can provide information about applicable laws and available governmental and private assistance
and financing; and
(9) provide such other information about environmental hazards
associated with residential real property as the Administrator
deems appropriate.
(b) Renovation of Target Housing
Within 2 years after the enactment of this section, the Administrator
shall promulgate regulations under this subsection to require each person who performs for compensation a renovation of target housing to
provide a lead hazard information pamphlet to the owner and occupant of such housing prior to commencing the renovation.
(Pub. L. 102-550, §1021(a), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3920.)

§2687. [TSCA §407]
Regulations

The regulations of the Administrator under this title shall include
such recordkeeping and reporting requirements as may be necessary
to insure the effective implementation of this title. The regulations
may be amended from time to time as necessary.
(Pub. L. 102-550, §1021(a), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3921.)

§2688. [TSCA §408]
Control of lead-based paint hazards at federal facilities

Each department, agency, and instrumentality of executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the Federal Government (1) having jurisdiction over any property or facility, or (2) engaged in any activity resulting, or which may result, in a lead-based paint hazard, and each officer, agent, or employee thereof, shall be subject to, and comply with,
all Federal, State, interstate, and local requirements, both substantive
and procedural (including any requirement for certification, licensing,
recordkeeping, or reporting or any provisions for injunctive relief and
such sanctions as may be imposed by a court to enforce such relief) respecting lead-based paint, lead-based paint activities, and lead-based
paint hazards in the same manner, and to the same extent as any nongovernmental entity is subject to such requirements, including the
payment of reasonable service charges. The Federal, State, interstate,
and local substantive and procedural requirements referred to in this
subsection include, but are not limited to, all administrative orders and
all civil and administrative penalties and fines regardless of whether
such penalties or fines are punitive or coercive in nature, or whether
imposed for isolated, intermittent or continuing violations. The
United States hereby expressly waives any immunity otherwise applicable to the United States with respect to any such substantive or procedural requirement (including, but not limited to, any injunctive relief, administrative order, or civil or administrative penalty or fine referred to in the preceding sentence, or reasonable service charge). The
1073

15 U.S.C. §2689

ENVIRONMENTAL LAW DESKBOOK

reasonable service charges referred to in this section include, but are
not limited to, fees or charges assessed for certification and licensing,
as well as any other nondiscriminatory charges that are assessed in
connection with a Federal, State, interstate, or local lead-based paint,
lead-based paint activities, or lead-based paint hazard activities program. No agent, employee, or officer of the United States shall be personally liable for any civil penalty under any Federal, State, interstate,
or local law relating to lead-based paint, lead-based paint activities, or
lead-based paint hazards with respect to any act or omission within the
scope of his official duties.
(Pub. L. 102-550, §1021(a), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3921.)

§2689.

[TSCA §409]

Prohibited acts

It shall be unlawful for any person to fail or refuse to comply with a
provision of this title or with any rule or order issued under this title.
(Pub. L. 102-550, §1021(a), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3921.)

§2690.

[TSCA §410]

Relationship to other federal law

Nothing in this title shall affect the authority of other appropriate
Federal agencies to establish or enforce any requirements which are at
least as stringent as those established pursuant to this title.
(Pub. L. 102-550, §1021(a), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3921.)

§2691.

[TSCA §411]

General provisions relating to administrative proceedings

(a) Applicability
This section applies to the promulgation or revision of any regulation issued under this title.
(b) Rulemaking docket
Not later than the date of proposal of any action to which this section applies, the Administrator shall establish a rulemaking docket for
such action (hereinafter in this subsection referred to as a “rule”).
Whenever a rule applies only within a particular State, a second (identical) docket shall be established in the appropriate regional office of
the Environmental Protection Agency.
(c) Inspection and copying
(1) The rulemaking docket required under subsection (b) shall be
open for inspection by the public at reasonable times specified in
the notice of proposed rulemaking. Any person may copy documents contained in the docket. The Administrator shall provide
copying facilities which may be used at the expense of the person
seeking copies, but the Administrator may waive or reduce such expenses in such instances as the public interest requires. Any person
may request copies by mail if the person pays the expenses, including personnel costs to do the copying.

1074

TSCA §409

(2)(A) Promptly upon receipt by the agency, all written comments and documentary information on the proposed rule received
from any person for inclusion in the docket during the comment period shall be placed in the docket. The transcript of public hearings,
if any, on the proposed rule shall also be included in the docket
promptly upon receipt from the person who transcribed such hearings. All documents which become available after the proposed rule
has been published and-which the Administrator determines are of
central relevance to the rulemaking shall be placed in the docket as
soon as possible after their availability.
(B) The drafts of proposed rules submitted by the Administrator to the Office of Management and Budget for any interagency
review process prior to proposal of any such rule, all documents
accompanying such drafts, and all written comments thereon by
other agencies and all written responses to such written comments by the Administrator shall be placed in the docket no later
than the date of proposal of the rule. The drafts of the final rule
submitted for such review process prior to promulgation and all
such written comments thereon, all documents accompanying
such drafts, and written responses thereto shall be placed m the
docket no, later than the date of promulgation.
(d) Explanation
(1) The promulgated rule shall be accompanied by an explanation of the reasons for any major changes in the promulgated rule
from the proposed rule.
(2) The promulgated rule shall also be accompanied by a response to each of the significant comments, criticisms, and new
data submitted in written or oral presentations during the comment
period.
(3) The promulgated rule may not be based (in part or whole) on
any information or data which has not been placed in the docket as
of the date of such promulgation.
(e) Judicial review
The material referred to in subsection (c)(2)(B) shall not be included in the record for judicial review.
(f) Effective date
The requirements of this section shall take effect with respect to any
rule the proposal of which occurs after 90 days after the date of the enactment of this section.
(Pub. L. 102-550, §1021(a), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3922.)

§2692. [TSCA §412]
Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out the purposes of
this title such sums as may be necessary.
(Pub. L. 102-550, §1021(a), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3923.)