Chemical Industry Is Essential, Americans Say
The American Chemistry Council’s 38th Annual Global Chemical Regulations Conference and Exhibition (GlobalChem) took place this week, where the chemical industry got together to discuss policies, procedures, and more.
GlobalChem, which was held Monday, April 14 through Wednesday, April 16, in Washington, DC, offered presentations and panels that explore the emerging opportunities and challenges related to chemical management and regulatory compliance. As well, it covers a broad range of current and emerging regulatory policies and procedures that impact manufacturers and the supply chain.
During the conference, ACC President Chris Jahn shared results of a Morning Consult poll that reveal Americans believe that chemistry is an essential industry. Moreover, 68% agree that policymakers must improve the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to that the industry can continue to innovate. And 62% support Congress using its statutory authority to made adjustments to TSCA.
Across political lines, 72% of Americans agree that growing the country's chemical production will lead to more jobs, capital spending, and investments in research and development.
Most (65%) agree that reducing regulations and modernizing permitting policies will boost American chemical manufacturing, promote economic growth, and incentivize development of new chemicals domestically instead of offshoring.
And three-quarters (74%) say that practical policy and regulations can be developed that both protect the environment and human health without sacrificing manufacturing jobs and US competitiveness.
Americans believe that when EPA reviews new chemicals it needs to meet its 90-day statutory deadline to support:
90% Consumer safety
89% R&D
88% National security
87% US jobs / the economy
87% manufacturing
86% Certainty for businesses
84% Innovation
84% Development of new chemicals
81% US competitiveness
The poll ran March 2024, 2025 on behalf of the ACC.
“Americans want affordability and national security. They want to reduce unnecessary regulations and want to boost domestic manufacturing here in the U.S. To deliver on these needs, Americans agree that it is imperative that policymakers enhance TSCA so that the chemical industry can continue to innovate and thrive while maintaining the highest standards of safety and environmental protection," said Jahn.
Americans say the chemical industry is essential to the following industries:
Medical devices and lifesaving medicines (83%)
US energy production (81%)
The amount of goods produced in the US (80%)
Technological innovation in the US (79%)
Consumer products (77%)
The US competitive edge over foreign countries (76%)
Jahn said that the poll results show that people understand the critical importance of the chemical industry to our nation's economic and technological advancements, and that voters recognize the essential role of the chemical industry in driving economic growth, energy independence, innovation, and national security.
“Americans placed a great deal of importance on product affordability, US jobs, and manufacturing in addition to impact on the environment and human health when EPA is conducting reviews of new, innovative chemistries. They want EPA to meet its statutory 90-day deadline because they feel it is important for certainty of businesses and US competitiveness. For existing chemical reviews, Americans want EPA to make multiple determinations on a chemical instead of using a ‘whole chemical’ approach, and they want EPA to consider the requirement and use of personal protective equipment (PPE) in its evaluations," Jahn added.