View Rule

In 2016, EPA proposed changes to the existing regulations governing significant new uses of chemical substances under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) (40 CFR 721, specifically the "Protection in the Workplace" (40 CFR 721.63) and "Hazard Communication Program" (40 CFR 721.72)) to align these regulations with revisions to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) Hazard Communications Standard (HCS) (29 CFR 1910.1200), which are proposed to be cross referenced, and with changes to the OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) respirator certification requirements pertaining to respiratory protection of workers from exposure to chemicals. EPA also proposed changes to the significant new uses of chemical substances regulations based on issues that have been identified by EPA and issues raised by public commenters for Significant New Use Rules (SNURs) previously proposed and issued under these regulations. Additionally, EPA proposed a minor change to reporting requirements for premanufacture notices (PMNs) and other TSCA section 5 notices. EPA expects these changes to have minimal impacts on the costs and burdens of complying, while updating the significant new use reporting requirements to assist in addressing any potential effects to human health and the environment. EPA is reviewing the comments received and is planning to issue a final rule.