This bill matters because it directly impacts your ability to repair the items you own, from your car to your washing machine. If it becomes law, it could make it easier and more affordable to find replacement parts for older complex goods, potentially saving consumers money and extending the life of products that might otherwise become unusable due to a lack of parts. This aligns with the 'right to repair' movement, which advocates for consumers' ability to fix their own products.
Without this bill, future EPA regulations under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) could potentially make it harder to produce or import certain replacement parts or the chemicals used in them. This could lead to higher repair costs, force consumers to buy new items more frequently, or render some older products irreparable. The bill also redefines how the government balances environmental protection from toxic substances with the availability of replacement parts and support for product longevity.
KEY PROVISIONS
4AI-extracted
PROVISION 01
Requires the EPA to exempt replacement parts for complex durable and consumer goods that were designed before a specific EPA rule is published.
This ensures that a wide range of existing replacement parts for older products will generally be shielded from new regulations under the Toxic Substances Control Act.
PROVISION 02
Allows the EPA to regulate replacement parts only if a risk evaluation clearly shows the specific part *alone* significantly contributes to risk to the population and a written determination is made.
This sets a high bar for the EPA, requiring strong, direct evidence of risk from the part itself before any regulation can be imposed.
PROVISION 03
Prohibits the EPA from stopping the manufacture, processing, or import of chemical substances necessary for making exempted replacement parts.
This provision ensures that the raw materials needed for these parts remain available, even if those chemicals might be restricted for other uses.
PROVISION 04
Mandates a transition period of not less than 10 years for any new prohibitions or restrictions on replacement parts that are allowed under this act.
This gives manufacturers and consumers a substantial amount of time to adapt to any future regulatory changes, preventing sudden market disruptions.
This bill matters because it directly impacts your ability to repair the items you own, from your car to your washing machine. If it becomes law, it could make it easier and more affordable to find replacement parts for older complex goods, potentially saving consumers money and extending the life of products that might otherwise become unusable due to a lack of parts. This aligns with the 'right to repair' movement, which advocates for consumers' ability to fix their own products.
Without this bill, future EPA regulations under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) could potentially make it harder to produce or import certain replacement parts or the chemicals used in them. This could lead to higher repair costs, force consumers to buy new items more frequently, or render some older products irreparable. The bill also redefines how the government balances environmental protection from toxic substances with the availability of replacement parts and support for product longevity.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
high
Requires the EPA to exempt replacement parts for complex durable and consumer goods that were designed before a specific EPA rule is published.
This ensures that a wide range of existing replacement parts for older products will generally be shielded from new regulations under the Toxic Substances Control Act.
high
Allows the EPA to regulate replacement parts only if a risk evaluation clearly shows the specific part *alone* significantly contributes to risk to the population and a written determination is made.
This sets a high bar for the EPA, requiring strong, direct evidence of risk from the part itself before any regulation can be imposed.
med
Prohibits the EPA from stopping the manufacture, processing, or import of chemical substances necessary for making exempted replacement parts.
This provision ensures that the raw materials needed for these parts remain available, even if those chemicals might be restricted for other uses.
med
Mandates a transition period of not less than 10 years for any new prohibitions or restrictions on replacement parts that are allowed under this act.
This gives manufacturers and consumers a substantial amount of time to adapt to any future regulatory changes, preventing sudden market disruptions.
Minimum transition period for any prohibition or restriction on replacement parts for complex durable goods.
GLOSSARY
AI-written
Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)
A federal law that gives the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the authority to regulate chemical substances and mixtures that pose an unreasonable risk to human health or the environment.
Administrator
Refers to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), who is the head of the agency responsible for carrying out federal environmental laws.
Complex durable goods
Products designed to last a long time and are made of many interconnected components, such as cars, major appliances, or industrial machinery.
Complex consumer goods
Products with multiple components used by individuals, similar to durable goods but often specifically marketed for individual consumer use, like certain electronics or home goods.
Risk evaluation
A scientific process conducted by the EPA to determine if a chemical substance or product component presents an unreasonable risk to human health or the environment under specific conditions of use.
Potentially exposed or susceptible subpopulation
Specific groups of people who might be more vulnerable or sensitive to the harmful effects of chemical exposure due to factors such as age (e.g., children, elderly), health status, or environmental conditions.
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTS
JAN 21
Introduced in House
INTROREFERRAL
JAN 21
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
The official daily publication of the U.S. government for rules, proposed rules, and notices of federal agencies and organizations, as well as executive orders and other presidential documents.
