EPA exploring data-sharing possibilities with European regulators.

The EPA is considering ways to share chemical data with European regulators, including research on endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and information submitted for REACH compliance. Chemical Watch reports that Jim Jones, EPA Assistant Administrator of the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, will discuss sharing EDC data with regulators in Brussels in late June. Mr. Jones also commented that the U.S. and EU will likely take different approaches to regulating EDCs, but that data-sharing could improve the development of regulations for both sides.

Speaking this week at the Safer Consumer Products Summit in Santa Clara, California, Mr. Jones noted that EPA is considering how to access data submitted via Substance Information Exchange Fora (SIEFs) for the preparation of REACH dossiers. Under current rules and data-sharing agreements, this information is restricted, but EPA has previously stated that it is contemplating using its subpoena authority under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to require U.S. companies to submit such information. Mr. Jones said that EPA has selected one chemical as a starting point to test whether European regulators would be open to sharing health and safety information with the agency.