-Magdalen Lindeberg

Proposed rule: Strengthening Transparency in Regulatory Science

This proposed rule by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has significant consequences regarding the data that can be used for development of regulations. People with an interest in this policy change are urged to submit a comment on the EPA website, as commenting on rule changes is one of the most effective ways of making one’s voice heard in at the federal level. Read more at the Federal Register’s Guide to the Rulemaking Process.

Note that the original deadline of May 30 has been extended to August 16, 2018. Add your comment using the link in the upper right of the rule change page.

Summary of proposed rule:

This document proposes a regulation intended to strengthen the transparency of EPA regulatory science. The proposed regulation provides that when EPA develops regulations, including regulations for which the public is likely to bear the cost of compliance, with regard to those scientific studies that are pivotal to the action being taken, EPA should ensure that the data underlying those are publicly available in a manner sufficient for independent validation. In this notice, EPA solicits comment on this proposal and how it can best be promulgated and implemented in light of existing law and prior Federal policies that already require increasing public access to data and influential scientific information used to inform federal regulation. [summary from the EPA website]

Concerns about the proposed rule raised by scientific organizations:

AAAS press release [July 16, 2018] Public Health, Medical, Academic, and Scientific Groups Oppose EPA Transparency Rule

FASEB press release [July 12, 2018] FASEB Submits Comments Opposing EPA Notice: “Strengthening Transparency in Regulatory Science”