Chemical Makers Say Faster EPA Reviews Could Bring Manufacturing Back to the US
SOCMA survey finds 93% of chemical manufacturers say faster TSCA Section 5 reviews would boost US reshoring, released as EPA's TSCA user-fee authority approaches its September 30, 2026 expiration.
The US Congress is preparing to reauthorize the EPA’s Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) New Chemicals Program user fee authority before its September 30 expiration. Leading up to the renewal, the Society of Chemical Manufacturers & Affiliates (SOCMA) released new survey findings showing that nearly 93% of manufacturers say a more timely and predictable TSCA Section 5 review process is needed. A policy governing EPA’s review of new chemicals before they enter the market would increase the likelihood of reshoring manufacturing and products to the US. The findings underscore that modernizing EPA’s new chemical review program is critical to strengthening American manufacturing.
The survey results show an increasingly lengthy and unpredictable review process is affecting decisions about where new products are commercialized, where manufacturing investments are made, and whether innovative chemistries are developed in the United States or abroad. The consequences extend well beyond regulatory compliance to many of Congress’ broader priorities, including supply chain resilience, advanced manufacturing, and economic competitiveness.
“Congress has spent years working to strengthen domestic manufacturing, secure critical supply chains, and reduce America’s dependence on foreign suppliers,” said Jenn Klein, President and CEO of SOCMA. “The TSCA Section 5 program plays a direct role in whether those goals are achieved. Our survey shows the current process is increasingly influencing where companies invest, innovate, and manufacture. Reauthorization provides a rare opportunity to modernize the program, so it better supports American competitiveness while continuing to protect human health and the environment.”
According to SOCMA's survey, more than 60% of member companies report EPA new-chemical reviews now regularly take over a year. These delays come with concrete business consequences: every company affected reported postponed product launches, 82% said that they lost business opportunities as a result, and 70% canceled projects outright. Two-thirds said the delays are shaping decisions on where to locate manufacturing, while nearly 93% believe a faster, more predictable review process would make reshoring to the US more likely, and all respondents said greater regulatory certainty would spur additional US investment.
The association also linked the slowdown to innovation in critical chemistries: nearly half of respondents said review delays are holding back development of PFAS alternatives and other advanced chemistries used across pharma, semiconductors, electronics, agriculture, and manufacturing. SOCMA argues that streamlining Section 5 reviews would speed commercialization, strengthen domestic supply chains, and support US competitiveness more broadly.
“With the September 30 deadline approaching, Congress has a critical opportunity to ensure the TSCA program better supports the innovation and manufacturing goals it has spent years advancing,” Klein said. “Reauthorizing the user-fee program without addressing the underlying challenges would miss a once-in-a-decade opportunity. Manufacturers need a review process that is timely, transparent, science-based, and consistent with congressional intent so they can continue investing, innovating, and creating jobs here in the United States.”
SOCMA is urging Congress and the Administration to act on five reforms that manufacturers say are critical to restoring an efficient, science-based TSCA Section 5 program while maintaining strong protections for human health and the environment. The survey identifies five priorities:
- Restore timely chemical reviews.
- Improve transparency and regulatory predictability.
- Support innovation and commercialization.
- Encourage reshoring and domestic manufacturing.
- Ensure the program operates efficiently and as Congress intended.
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