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Significant New Use Rule on Two Chemicals
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- #Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- #EPA
The EPA Proposes Significant New Use Rule on Two Chemicals
On August 24, 2016 U.S. EPA proposed a significant new use rule (SNURs) as required by the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) on two chemical substances, which were subject of premanufacture notices (PMNs). As a result of this action, any persons who intend to manufacture or process either of these chemical substances for activity that is designated as a significant new use by this proposed rule must notify EPA at least 90 days before commencing that activity. Once that notification is received EPA will then evaluate the intended use within the applicable review period. Manufacture of the significant new use is unable to commence until EPA has conducted a review of the notice and made an appropriate determination and taken actions as required in association with that determination.
This rule is being issued in accordance with a TSCA section 5(e) consent order. The two chemicals subject to this rule are hydrochlorofluoropropane (PMN Number P-14-321) and Hydrochlorofluoropropene (PMN Number P-14-323). The consent order requires that manufacturers and handlers use a number of protective measures when dealing with this significant new use.
In addition, it requires further testing to further determine the chemicals’ toxicity before further manufacturing occurs. Per the proposal, persons who begin commercial manufacture or processing of the chemical substances for a significant new use identified as of August 15, 2016 would have to cease any such any such activity upon the effective date of the final rule. To resume their activities, these persons would have to first comply with all applicable SNUR notification requirements and wait until all TSCA prerequisites for the commencement of manufacture or processing have been satisfied.
Comments in response to this proposal must be received on or before September 23, 2016 and can be submitted to http://www.regulations.gov referencing EPA-HQ-OPPT-2016-0491.
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U.S. EPA Proposes Significant New Use Rule on Two Chemicals, 81 FR 57822 (2016). Did you find this article useful? Here are some more you might like: Changes to the EPA’s Significant New Uses of Chemical Substances Regulations (US) OSHA Changes Policy on Covered Concentrations of Chemicals (US)Our EHS experts are happy to answer any questions you have.
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