View Rule

View EO 12866 Meetings Printer-Friendly Version     Download RIN Data in XML
EPA/OCSPP RIN: 2070-AJ95 Publication ID: Fall 2013 
Title: Significant New Use Rule for Perfluoroalkyl Sulfonates and Long-Chain Perfluoroalkyl Carboxylates Used as Part of Carpets 
Abstract: On August 15, 2012, EPA proposed a significant new use rule (SNUR) under section 5(a)(2) of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for certain perfluoroalkyl sulfonates (PFAS) and certain long-chain perfluoroalkyl carboxylates (LCPFAC) chemical substances. Under a SNUR, persons who intend to engage in any significant new use would be required to notify EPA at least 90 days before commencing that new use. The required notification would enable EPA to evaluate the significant new use uses of these chemical substances and, if necessary, appropriately address risks to human health or the environment by limiting or prohibiting those uses before they occur. EPA proposed to designate processing as a significant new use of certain PFAS chemical substances that have completed the TSCA new chemical review process but have not yet commenced production or import. EPA also proposed to designate manufacturing, importing, or processing for use as part of carpets or for treating carpet (e.g., for use in the carpet aftercare market) as a significant new use of certain LCPFAC chemical substances. EPA also proposed to revoke the Article Exemption described in 40 CFR section 721.45(f) for persons that import the LCPFAC chemical substances as part of carpets. Studies have found PFAS chemicals in very small amounts in the blood of the general human population as well as in wildlife. Although most of the health and environmental studies have focused primarily on perfluorooctyl sulfonates (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), analysis of the structure of these compounds indicates that the results of those studies may be applied to a larger category of PFAS and LCPFAC chemicals. EPA believes that the chemical similarity between PFOS and PFAS raises the likelihood that health and environmental concerns are present for PFAS, and that LCPFAC compounds may degrade to PFOA. 
Agency: Environmental Protection Agency(EPA)  Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant 
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Completed Actions 
Major: No  Unfunded Mandates: No 
CFR Citation: 40 CFR 721   
Legal Authority: 15 USC 2604(a)    TSCA 5(a)   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM  08/15/2012  77 FR 48924   
Final Rule  10/22/2013  78 FR 62443   
Final Rule Effective  12/23/2013 
Additional Information: Docket #: EPA-HQ-OPPT-2012-0268
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No  Government Levels Affected: None 
Small Entities Affected: No  Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
International Impacts: This regulatory action will be likely to have international trade and investment effects, or otherwise be of international interest.
RIN Information URL: http://www.epa.gov/oppt/existingchemicals/   Public Comment URL: http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=EPA-HQ-OPPT-2012-0268  
Sectors Affected: 31311 Fiber, Yarn, and Thread Mills; 314110 Carpet and Rug Mills; 324110 Petroleum Refineries; 325 Chemical Manufacturing; 423220 Home Furnishing Merchant Wholesalers; 561740 Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning Services 
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No 
Agency Contact:
Nicholas Nairn-Birch
Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention
7405M,
Washington, DC 20460
Phone:202 564-3668
Email: nairn-birch.nicholas@epa.gov

Toni Krasnic
Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Mail Code 7405M,
Washington, DC 20460
Phone:202 564-0984
Email: krasnic.toni@epa.gov