The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), representing U.S. leadership in semiconductor manufacturing, design, and research, commended congressional approval of the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, bipartisan legislation that updates the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976, the primary federal law pertaining to the production and use of chemicals. The Senate passed the legislation last night on a voice vote, and the House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved it on May 24. President Obama is expected to sign the legislation into law.

“The sound regulation of chemicals is critically important to the U.S. semiconductor industry, which relies on certain chemicals and materials to manufacture the semiconductors that underpin modern technology,” said John Neuffer, president and CEO, Semiconductor Industry Association. “This legislation improves chemical safety, protects the environment, and provides the semiconductor industry and other sectors with needed certainty in manufacturing products that drive economic growth.”

The legislation would strengthen the authority of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to evaluate, prioritize, and take action on chemicals that pose risks to health and the environment, while providing industry with increased assurance in their selection of chemicals. The bill directs EPA to assess chemicals based on their conditions of use and potential for exposure, and where EPA takes action on chemicals that pose an unreasonable risk, the bill would allow EPA to consider costs and the feasibility and safety of alternatives in setting a safety standard.

“TSCA was first passed when Gerald Ford was president, “Rocky” won the Academy Award, and Apple was still operating out of a garage,” Neuffer said. “We applaud Congress for approving this much-needed and long-overdue legislation, and especially appreciate Senators Inhofe, Vitter, and Udall, and Congressmen Shimkus and Pallone for introducing the legislation and moving it forward. We urge President Obama to quickly sign it into law.”