U.S. chemical policy under review: how much Europeanisation

Abstract:

The European Union chemical regulation REACH entered into force in 2007. The most ambitious regulations on chemicals in the World will soon become a source of inspiration for other countries to review their own national regulations on chemicals. This is also the case of the USA where the failure of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) of 1976 to provide a high level of protection for human health and environment contributed to a general consensus for reform.

Several reform proposals were considered and discussed in both chambers of Congress, reflecting to various degrees some principles of the European REACH. This article deals with the US chemical policy reform in the context of the European experience with REACH, assessing whether the US chemical policy review is subject to Europeanisation or whether the influence of REACH on the US reform is merely superficial.