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The Environmental Protection Agency last week issued a final draft of one of its major initiatives that will upgrade its chemical reporting system under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).

Advocates for the new standards argue that the current system is riddled with loopholes and that the information provides a very inaccurate picture of which chemicals are actually being used.

The changes require more frequent reporting of chemical production and use, lower the threshold for reporting information, and make it more difficult for companies to file confidentiality claims or to report certain information as 鈥渘ot readily obtainable.鈥�

Beginning with the next submission period, which opens on Feb. 1, 2012, all of the information will have to be reported to the EPA through a new, online system. Manufacturers, including importers, are required to report information on chemicals manufactured in volumes of 25,000 pounds or more at their sites in 2011.

The National Petrochemical and Refiners Association, a trade group representing manufacturers of gasoline, diesel and other fuels, came out against the decision, calling it 鈥渋mprudent鈥� in a statement last week. NPRA contends the rule imposes unrealistic and unnecessary requirements on manufacturers and distributors.