§ 2601. — Findings, policy, and intent.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 15USC2601]
TITLE 15--COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 53--TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL
SUBCHAPTER I--CONTROL OF TOXIC SUBSTANCES
Sec. 2601. Findings, policy, and intent
(a) Findings
The Congress finds that--
(1) human beings and the environment are being exposed each year
to a large number of chemical substances and mixtures;
(2) among the many chemical substances and mixtures which are
constantly being developed and produced, there are some whose
manufacture, processing, distribution in commerce, use, or disposal
may present an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the
environment; and
(3) the effective regulation of interstate commerce in such
chemical substances and mixtures also necessitates the regulation of
intrastate commerce in such chemical substances and mixtures.
(b) Policy
It is the policy of the United States that--
(1) adequate data should be developed with respect to the effect
of chemical substances and mixtures on health and the environment
and that the development of such data should be the responsibility
of those who manufacture and those who process such chemical
substances and mixtures;
(2) adequate authority should exist to regulate chemical
substances and mixtures which present an unreasonable risk of injury
to health or the environment, and to take action with respect to
chemical substances and mixtures which are imminent hazards; and
(3) authority over chemical substances and mixtures should be
exercised in such a manner as not to impede unduly or create
unnecessary economic barriers to technological innovation while
fulfilling the primary purpose of this chapter to assure that such
innovation and commerce in such chemical substances and mixtures do
not present an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the
environment.
(c) Intent of Congress
It is the intent of Congress that the Administrator shall carry out
this chapter in a reasonable and prudent manner, and that the
Administrator shall consider the environmental, economic, and social
impact of any action the Administrator takes or proposes to take under
this chapter.
(Pub. L. 94-469, title I, Sec. 2, Oct. 11, 1976, 90 Stat. 2003;
renumbered title I, Pub. L. 99-519, Sec. 3(c)(1), Oct. 22, 1986, 100
Stat. 2989.)
Effective Date
Section 31 of title I of Pub. L. 94-469; renumbered title I, Pub. L.
99-519, Sec. 3(c), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2989, provided that:
``Except as provided in section 4(f) [section 2603(f) of this title],
this Act [enacting this chapter] shall take effect on January 1, 1977.''
Short Title of 1992 Amendment
Pub. L. 102-550, title X, Sec. 1021(c), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat.
3924, provided that: ``This subtitle [subtitle B (Sec. 1021) of title X
of Pub. L. 102-550, enacting sections 2681 to 2692 of this title and
amending sections 2606, 2610, 2612, 2615, 2616, 2618, and 2619 of this
title] may be cited as the `Lead-Based Paint Exposure Reduction Act'.''
Short Title of 1986 Amendment
Section 1 of Pub. L. 99-519 provided that: ``This Act [enacting
sections 2641 to 2654 of this title and section 4022 of Title 20,
Education, amending sections 2614, 2618, and 2619 of this title and
sections 4014 and 4021 of Title 20, and enacting provisions set out as a
note under section 4014 of Title 20] may be cited as the `Asbestos
Hazard Emergency Response Act of 1986'.''
Short Title
Section 1 of title I of Pub. L. 94-469; renumbered title I, Pub. L.
99-519, Sec. 3(c), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2989, provided that: ``This
Act [enacting this chapter and provisions set out as notes under this
section] may be cited as the `Toxic Substances Control Act'.''
Federal Compliance With Pollution Control Standards
For provisions relating to the responsibility of the head of each
Executive agency for compliance with applicable pollution control
standards, see Ex. Ord. No. 12088, Oct. 13, 1978, 43 F.R. 47707, set out
as a note under section 4321 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare.
