Definition:
The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) is a U.S. federal law administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that regulates the manufacture, import, processing, distribution, use, and disposal of chemical substances. It covers almost all chemicals with exceptions like food, medicines, fertilizers, nuclear materials, firearms, etc…
TSCA is a broad chemical control law, not a functional safety standard. It requires a lot of administration, record keeping, and reporting to the EPA.
Key take-away for a functional safety professional is that TSCA is in the background. It shapes the regulatory environment in which many process facilities operate and influences chemical selection, documentation, and risk awareness. Functional safety professionals may encounter TSCA during early project phases for chemical selection and regulatory compliance discussions.
Key Points:
- TSCA is a U.S. federal law by the EPA.
- Applies to most industrial and commercial chemicals manufactured or imported into the U.S.
- Requires reporting, recordkeeping, testing, and risk evaluation for covered substances.
Example:
A process facility introduces a new solvent for a batch operation. Before detailed design and hazard analysis, regulatory staff confirm the chemical is listed on the TSCA Inventory and review any EPA restrictions. This information is incorporated into PSI and supports downstream hazard analysis and functional safety decisions, even though TSCA itself does not define safety functions.
Cited Source:
- EPA – TSCA overview: https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/summary-toxic-substances-control-act
- EPA – TSCA Chemical Substance Inventory: https://www.epa.gov/tsca-inventory