---
kind: "section"
citation: "15 U.S.C. § 2610"
title: "15"
title_heading: "Commerce and Trade"
number: "2610"
heading: "Inspections and subpoenas"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/15/2610"
units:
  - "Chapter 53 — Toxic Substances Control"
  - "Subchapter I — Control of Toxic Substances"
---

# §2610. Inspections and subpoenas

- (a) **In general—** For purposes of administering this chapter, the [Administrator](/usc/15/2602.md?p=1), and any duly designated representative of the [Administrator](/usc/15/2602.md?p=1), may inspect any establishment, facility, or other premises in which [chemical substances](/usc/15/2602.md?p=2-A), [mixtures](/usc/15/2602.md?p=10), or products subject to subchapter IV are manufactured, processed, stored, or held before or after their [distribution in commerce](/usc/15/2602.md?p=5) and any conveyance being used to transport [chemical substances](/usc/15/2602.md?p=2-A), [mixtures](/usc/15/2602.md?p=10), such products, or such articles in connection with [distribution in commerce](/usc/15/2602.md?p=5). Such an inspection may only be made upon the presentation of appropriate credentials and of a written notice to the owner, operator, or agent in charge of the premises or conveyance to be inspected. A separate notice shall be given for each such inspection, but a notice shall not be required for each entry made during the period covered by the inspection. Each such inspection shall be commenced and completed with reasonable promptness and shall be conducted at reasonable times, within reasonable limits, and in a reasonable manner.
- (b) **Scope—**
  - (1) Except as provided in [paragraph (2)](#b-2), an inspection conducted under [subsection (a)](#a) shall extend to all things within the premises or conveyance inspected (including records, files, papers, [processes](/usc/15/2602.md?p=13), controls, and facilities) bearing on whether the requirements of this chapter applicable to the [chemical substances](/usc/15/2602.md?p=2-A), [mixtures](/usc/15/2602.md?p=10), or products subject to subchapter IV within such premises or conveyance have been complied with.
  - (2) No inspection under [subsection (a)](#a) shall extend to—
    - (A) financial information,
    - (B) sales information (other than shipment information),
    - (C) pricing information,
    - (D) personnel information, or
    - (E) research information (other than information required by this chapter or under a rule promulgated, order issued, or consent [agreement](/usc/15/7a.md?p=2) entered into thereunder),

    unless the nature and extent of such information are described with reasonable specificity in the written notice required by [subsection (a)](#a) for such inspection.

- (c) **Subpoenas—** In carrying out this chapter, the [Administrator](/usc/15/2602.md?p=1) may by subpoena require the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of reports, papers, documents, answers to questions, and other information that the [Administrator](/usc/15/2602.md?p=1) deems necessary. Witnesses shall be paid the same fees and mileage that are paid witnesses in the courts of the [United States](/usc/15/2602.md?p=17). In the event of contumacy, failure, or refusal of any [person](/usc/15/7a.md?p=6) to obey any such subpoena, any district court of the [United States](/usc/15/2602.md?p=17) in which venue is proper shall have jurisdiction to order any such [person](/usc/15/7a.md?p=6) to comply with such subpoena. Any failure to obey such an order of the court is punishable by the court as a contempt thereof.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 94–469, title I, § 11, Oct. 11, 1976, 90 Stat. 2032; renumbered title I, Pub. L. 99–519, § 3(c)(1), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2989; amended Pub. L. 102–550, title X, § 1021(b)(2), (3), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3923; Pub. L. 114–182, title I, § 19(j), June 22, 2016, 130 Stat. 507.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2016—Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 114–182, § 19(j)(1), substituted “information” for “data” wherever appearing.

Subsec. (b)(2)(E). Pub. L. 114–182, § 19(j)(2), substituted “rule promulgated, order issued, or consent agreement entered into” for “rule promulgated”.

1992—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 102–550, § 1021(b)(2), in first sentence, substituted “substances, mixtures, or products subject to subchapter IV” for “substances or mixtures” and inserted “such products,” before “or such articles”.

Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 102–550, § 1021(b)(3), substituted “chemical substances, mixtures, or products subject to subchapter IV” for “chemical substances or mixtures”.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date

Section effective Jan. 1, 1977, see section 31 of Pub. L. 94–469, set out as a note under section 2601 of this title.