The report examines how American Chemistry Council (ACC) financial donations to EPA and NIH research projects may pose a conflict of public and private interests. The GAO investigation focuses on studies that examine the health effects of chemical exposure, and are partially funded by the ACC. The GAO report found that funding by the ACC could potentially influence regulatory rules that are based on the studies.

The ACC is an industry trade group that represents several chemical manufacturing companies. It has funded 17 NIH proposals and 2 EPA-related projects. [1]

The GAO report noted that neither the NIH nor the EPA had "specific policies requiring officials to evaluate or manage potential conflicts of interest when they entered into the ACC arrangements." [2]

However, both agencies and the ACC reported to the GAO that despite the lack of a formal evaluation policy, they believe agency officials are able to manage the ACC arrangements through normal research processes.

The GAO disputed the agencies' faith in these processes, noting that "because the agencies' research management processes are not designed to address conflict of interest issues, they are not a substitute for formal evaluation of such conflicts." [3]

Although ACC contributions to the EPA and NIH are legal, the GAO report suggests that the current system provides inadequate assurance that these contributions will not present a conflict of interest. The report's final recommendation was that the agencies develop formal policies to manage potential conflicts.

In a response to the report, EPA spokeswoman Suzanne Ackerman said EPA will review it, but did not say whether the agency would actually follow its recommendations. Ackerman said the agency already has a "strict, rigorous, and transparent process for ensuring our research agreements and grants meet the highest ethical standards." [4]

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SOURCES:
[1] GAO Report, Apr. 1, 2005.
[2] Ibid.
[3] Ibid.
[4] "Agencies need conflict-of-interest policies -- GAO report," Greenwire, Apr. 4, 2005.