Sound Science Act of 2026

This bill amends the Toxic Substances Control Act to change how the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) tests chemicals, evaluates risks, and coordinates with other federal agencies, aiming to improve transparency and scientific consistency. It modifies testing requirements, risk evaluation criteria, rulemaking procedures, and scientific standards.

Sec. 2, Testing: The bill requires that testing methodologies be "technically feasible" and that information be developed for the intended and known purposes of a chemical. It removes language that prevented consideration of costs or nonrisk factors in required actions. It also mandates that the EPA update its list of test guidelines at least every two years and include public comment on proposed test methods and strategies.

Sec. 3, Consistency among existing requirements and among federal department risk information: The bill changes the standard for regulating chemicals from eliminating risk to minimizing risk to the extent reasonably feasible. In risk evaluations, the EPA must consider only hazards and exposures more likely than not to cause unreasonable risk, sentinel exposures, and aggregate exposures only if necessary. It must also consider exposure limits from other federal agencies and not assume noncompliance with laws like OSHA standards. The public comment period for draft risk evaluations is extended to 60 days, and an interagency review process is added.

Sec. 4, Improving accountability of final agency actions: The bill requires that any scientific assessment relied on by the EPA in a risk evaluation be included in the final agency action subject to judicial review.

Sec. 5, Strengthening scientific standards: The bill adds requirements for the EPA to disclose how its scientific assessments are consistent with its standards and weighting, to consult with other agencies and experts on worker protection standards, and to include comments from other federal departments. It also requires that the Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals conduct in-person peer reviews of risk evaluations, with at least 30 days for reviewers to ensure thorough review of the science and risk determinations.