Memorandum of Understanding Signed Between OSHA and EPA to Protect Workers from New Chemicals in the Workplace

Earlier this year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). It advances collaboration and communication on EPA’s review of new chemicals under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).

The MOU provides a framework for coordination and communication between the two agencies on exposure to new chemicals in the workplace and will help achieve the agencies’ shared goal of ensuring workers are protected from potential health and environmental risks. Significant components of the MOU include:

• Establishing designated staff and management points of contact from each agency to discuss and resolve workplace exposure issues related to EPA’s review of new chemicals.
• Providing OSHA with regular updates on EPA’s new chemical determinations, including any necessary worker protection identified during EPA’s review.
• Documenting EPA’s role in identifying and notifying OSHA of the need for formal consultation on EPA’s review of new chemicals.

“According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), an average of 1,500 new chemicals are introduced into commerce each year,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “That’s 15,000 every decade. Ensuring workers are safe from exposure hazards to these new chemicals, as well as the tens of thousands currently in the purview of regulatory agencies, is a significant task. At EMSL, our environmental and industrial hygiene laboratories located across the United States and Canada offer chemical testing services that assist companies with staying in compliance with existing and new regulations. EMSL Analytical also provides sampling supplies, personal protective equipment (PPE) and an array of monitoring instruments to help protect against exposure risks to chemical, radiological and microbial hazards.”

To learn more about this or other industrial hygiene and environmental laboratory testing services, supplies, PPE and monitoring instruments, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email  info@EMSL.com .


About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is one of the leading testing laboratories throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in fast laboratory results for mold, bacteria, Legionella, USP 797, pathogens, asbestos, lead, soot, char & ash from fires, VOC’s, odors, radon, formaldehyde, indoor air quality, microbiology, environmental, industrial hygiene, radiological, food, beverage & consumer products and material testing services for the identification of unknown substances. EMSL services both professionals and the general public. EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA-LAP, LLC (AIHA-LAP, LLC EMLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC IHLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC ELLAP), NVLAP, CDC ELITE, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website at www.EMSL.com for a complete listing of accreditations. In addition, EMSL carries a wide range of Sampling Equipment and Investigative Products for environmental professionals.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

(1) 856-303-2503

Contact via E-mail