Significant New Use Rules on Certain Chemical Substances (25-3.5e)
Key claim: Companies must notify EPA at least 90 days before manufacturing, importing, or processing designated chemical substances for specified new uses so the agency can review safety conditions before operations begin.
Abstract
(Rule · Environmental Protection Agency) EPA is issuing significant new use rules (SNURs) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for certain chemical substances that were the subject of premanufacture notices (PMNs) and are also subject to an Order issued by EPA pursuant to TSCA. The SNURs require persons to notify EPA at least 90 days before commencing the manufacture (defined by statute to include import) or processing of any of these chemical substances for an activity that is designated as a significant new use in the SNUR. The required notification initiates EPA’s evaluation of the conditions of that use for that chemical substance. In addition, the manufacture or processing for the significant new use may not commence until EPA has conducted a review of the required notification; made an appropriate determination regarding that notification; and taken such actions as required by that determination.
Why this matters
This final rule extends the existing TSCA advance-notification framework to another batch of chemicals, adding compliance obligations and lead time for companies pursuing designated new uses. It enables EPA to review potential health and environmental risks before those activities begin; the finding does not quantify compliance costs or resulting exposure reductions.