U.S. EPA: Board of Scientific Counselors

The EPA Board of Scientific Counselors (BOSC) provides advice, information, and recommendations to EPA’s Office of Research and Development (ORD) on technical and management issues of its research programs.

The BOSC was established as a discretionary federal advisory committee on May 28, 1996, and operates in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), 5 U.S.C. App. 2. Because the BOSC is a Federal Advisory Committee, it must comply with FACA and related regulations. Consequently, the Board has an approved charter, which must be renewed biennially, announces its meetings in the Federal Register, opens its meetings to the public, and provides opportunities for public comment on issues before the Board.

BOSC is comprised of an Executive Committee, which includes approximately 20 members, and is supported, by subcommittees and workgroups for any purpose consistent with the BOSC's charter. Such subcommittees or workgroups may not work independently of the chartered Executive Committee, and must report their recommendations and advice to the BOSC for full deliberation and discussion. Subcommittees and workgroups have no authority to make decisions on behalf of the BOSC, nor can they report directly to ORD.

Members of the BOSC Executive Committee, Subcommittees, and Workgroups constitute a distinguished body of scientists and engineers who are recognized experts in their respective fields. These individuals are drawn from institutions such as academia, industry/business, federal, state and local governments, non-governmental and environmental organizations, research laboratories, and other relevant entities.

All BOSC members are special government employees and therefore must not posess conflicts of interest, or have an appearance of not being able to provide impartial advice. Therefore, all members must comply with annual ethics reporting and training requirements.