Jim Jones

As the Assistant Administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention at EPA from December 2011 until January 20, 2017, Jones was the Presidentially Appointed and Senate confirmed executive responsible for regulation of pesticides and commercial chemicals in the United States as well as leadership for EPA’s Pollution Prevention activities. Jones led a staff of 1,000 employees and managed a budget of $250 million.

On June 22, 2016, President Obama signed into law, the Frank R Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, the first major update of an environmental law in the US in 20 years. Jones led the Administration’s effort in this endeavor, working within the Administration and with leadership in both Houses of Congress on a bill that passed with bipartisan support by wide margins. This law dramatically improves chemical safety regulation in the US and impacts products across nearly all consumer and commercial chemical categories. Upon passage, Jones used the final six months of the Obama Administration to see through multiple statutorily required actions that gave his successors the opportunity to meet the very short timeframes afforded EPA under this law.