GAO Work Related to the Toxic Substances Control Act and the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act

GAO discussed its work concerning the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) implementation of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and the Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (IFRA). Since TSCA enactment in 1976, GAO has issued four reports which address EPA efforts to implement the legislative requirements of the act, EPA regulatory action on specific chemicals, and EPA use of voluntary testing agreements. GAO has two reviews underway which concern the new EPA chemicals program and EPA use of various TSCA authorities to investigate and regulate existing chemicals. Since the early 1970's, GAO has issued 17 reports concerning IFRA and EPA efforts relative to it, dealing primarily with: (1) the registration, control, and use of individual pesticides; (2) EPA policies and procedures for registering and re-registering pesticides; and (3) EPA effectiveness in enforcing compliance with registration requirements. The most recent report recommended that guidance be developed for EPA regional offices to assess state efforts in identifying major misuse problems and inadequate application practices.