On Sept. 22, 2025, EPA formally launched its reorganization of the Office of Research and Development (ORD), moving to reassign ORD scientists to other EPA offices. Previously, ORD provided research and technical assistance to states, territories, and Tribal Nations across the country.
ORD also housed EPA’s IRIS program. The Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) program determined the health impacts of different chemicals, which then supported regulation of those chemicals by EPA, as well as other state and federal health agencies. It is not clear how the IRIS program will be affected by EPA’s reorganization.
Following the reorganization, some ORD functions are being moved into a new Office of Applied Science and Environmental Solutions (OASES). Unlike ORD, EPA announced this office is supervised by political appointees under EPA’s Office of the Administrator.
On Feb. 13, 2025, Congress members announced they had officially been notified of ORD’s closure.