EPA Requests Comment on Scientific Integrity Policy

By inergency On Jan 25, 2024

On January 24, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a Federal Register notice requesting public comments on draft updates to its Scientific Integrity Policy.

The purpose of the policy is to enhance and promote a continuing culture of scientific integrity within the EPA. This policy aims to ensure the integrity of all aspects of EPA activities that include proposing, conducting, reviewing, managing, communicating about science and scientific activities, and using the results of science. Additionally, the policy establishes procedures for the use of science and scientific materials in EPA regulations impacting small entities.

The updated Scientific Integrity Policy will adopt a new federal definition of scientific integrity and meaningfully strengthen several policy elements that will help ensure a culture of scientific integrity at the agency. It will incorporate the model scientific integrity policy from the National Science and Technology Council’s A Framework for Federal Scientific Integrity Policy and Practice (2023), lessons learned over the years, and the results of previous surveys of EPA staff on scientific integrity. The updated policy also covers the introduction of the new role of the EPA Chief Scientist.

Comments on the draft updates to the Scientific Integrity Policy are due February 23, 2024.

Created by Congress in 1976, the Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is an independent voice for small business within the federal government.