Watchdog pins blame on EPA for chemical review delays

By Ellie Borst | 01/22/2025 04:43 PM EST

The agency has struggled to keep up with review deadlines since 2016, when Congress changed the toxics law to require risk determinations.

Laboratory glassware.

EPA's New Chemicals Division has been plagued with resource and staffing problems. AP

The congressional watchdog sided with chemical manufacturers on the root cause of issues plaguing EPA’s New Chemicals Division, faulting the agency’s lack of a standardized review process for the division’s troubles.

The new Government Accountability Office report, released Wednesday, stems from a 2023 GAO report that found EPA met its statutory review deadline only 10 percent of the time, which the agency attributed to staffing and resource shortages.

The new report is based on interviews with 19 representatives of manufacturers, all but one of whom called for increased public data and more transparent review practices.

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EPA agreed with GAO’s recommendations to finalize a strategic plan and develop a systematic performance management process.

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