Judah Prero Discusses Proposed TSCA Revisions with Chemical Watch

Judah Prero, Arnold & Porter Environmental counsel and former Assistant State Attorney General at the Maryland Department of the Environment, was recently quoted in the Chemical Watch News & Insight article, “TSCA reform bill includes expected changes, with some surprises,” on a draft House Republican bill proposing significant revisions to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).

Judah noted that the proposed changes could divide opinion: "I’m sure there are other people who would characterize this as earth-shattering and turning TSCA on its head,” he said, further commenting that the changes put forth in the draft "are not radical.”

"They’re not throwing everything out. I think there was an effort to be at least somewhat balanced, and to make targeted changes that go after lynchpin issues.”

Judah observed that the proposed updates to the risk management standard signal that regulators are “not trying to get to zero risk” when addressing existing chemicals. He also commented that notable changes proposed for the existing chemicals program are provisions that could shift workplace risk responsibilities from the EPA back to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).