Which federal law requires testing of new chemicals for environmental and human health hazards?

Which federal law requires testing of new chemicals for environmental and human health hazards?

• A. RCRA
• B. FIFRA
• C. TSCA
• D. CERCLA

Answer: (C)

Regulatory testing requirements for new chemicals are established by the Toxic Substances Control Act. This law gives the EPA authority to require testing and to collect hazard data on new chemicals before or as they enter commerce, primarily through the premanufacture notification process. It also lets EPA demand additional testing for existing chemicals to fill data gaps and assess risks to people and the environment, potentially leading to restrictions if hazards are found. RCRA focuses on how hazardous and nonhazardous wastes are managed and disposed of after generation. CERCLA deals with cleaning up contaminated sites and assigning liability. FIFRA governs the registration and labeling of pesticides, which includes testing specific to pesticides, but not the broad, general requirement to test all new chemicals for environmental and human health hazards.

Regulatory testing requirements for new chemicals are established by the Toxic Substances Control Act. This law gives the EPA authority to require testing and to collect hazard data on new chemicals before or as they enter commerce, primarily through the premanufacture notification process. It also lets EPA demand additional testing for existing chemicals to fill data gaps and assess risks to people and the environment, potentially leading to restrictions if hazards are found.

RCRA focuses on how hazardous and nonhazardous wastes are managed and disposed of after generation. CERCLA deals with cleaning up contaminated sites and assigning liability. FIFRA governs the registration and labeling of pesticides, which includes testing specific to pesticides, but not the broad, general requirement to test all new chemicals for environmental and human health hazards.