Congressmen Brett Guthrie and Gary Palmer have announced a legislative hearing aimed at modernizing the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The hearing, titled “Chemicals in Commerce: Legislative Proposal to Modernize America’s Chemical Safety Law, Strengthen Critical Supply Chains, and Grow Domestic Manufacturing,” is scheduled for January 22, 2026. It will take place at the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, D.C.
Chairmen Guthrie and Palmer said that the committee has been working on reforms to enhance accountability, bolster domestic manufacturing, and protect community health and safety. They emphasized that the proposed legislation aims to ensure TSCA processes effectively evaluate chemical safety while supporting American innovation.
The hearing will discuss several bills, including a draft of legislation to update TSCA. John Carey, Regulatory Director at DSM-Firmenich, is set to provide testimony highlighting challenges in U.S. chemical innovation. According to Carey, since the Lautenberg amendments in 2015, there has been a significant decline in new chemical submissions and research spending within the sector.
Carey pointed out that while DSM-Firmenich has registered new fragrance ingredients globally between 2021 and 2025, none have been commercialized in the United States. He also noted that many fragrance materials deemed safe by EPA’s Safer Choice Program are not advancing through U.S. regulatory processes.
The hearing will be open to the public and press with a livestream available on energycommerce.house.gov. For inquiries regarding the hearing or press-related questions, contact information for Jackson Rudden and Ben Mullany was provided.
