Trump Administration Indicates It Will Rewrite U.S. Chemical Safety Regulations

The Trump administration is taking steps to overhaul the way the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) governs chemical safety screenings and has indicated it could loosen safety standards at U.S. chemical plants.

These developments have led many public safety advocates, environmental groups, and industry officials to take a pragmatic wait-and-see approach regarding future chemical safety regulations.

The EPA announced on 10 March 2025 that it is considering changing how it conducts public safety checks for the market’s toxic chemicals. The agency may scale back its review process to, it claims, ensure efficiency while maintaining public health and environmental protection.

If implemented, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin says these changes will allow the agency to develop a “path forward” to a timely review of chemicals.

“Chemicals are a vital part of our country’s economy,” Zeldin said. “Our manufacturing and industrial sectors should have safe access to the chemicals necessary to advance and improve our daily lives through the production of products including household goods, electronics and other technologies.”

The EPA assesses chemical safety by screening chemicals based on their hazard and exposure characteristics to identify whether certain chemicals in commerce need further assessment. This process is part of the EPA’s Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), which involves a three-stage approach — prioritization, risk evaluation, and management — to ensure the safety of existing chemicals.