Significant New Use Rules on Certain Chemical Substances (25-2.5e)
Key claim: EPA is issuing significant new use rules under TSCA requiring 90-day advance notification before manufacture or processing of certain chemical substances subject to premanufacture notices and existing EPA orders.
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
SNURs are the primary tool EPA uses to keep tabs on chemicals that cleared premanufacture review with conditions, ensuring that any deviation from expected uses triggers fresh federal review before market entry. Even as a routine action, each SNUR adds compliance touchpoints (notification, recordkeeping, potential export notification) for manufacturers and processors and preserves EPA’s ability to intervene on health or environmental grounds before exposures scale.