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EPA/OPPTS RIN: 2070-AJ30 Publication ID: Fall 2008 
Title: Nanoscale Materials Under TSCA 
Abstract: Nanoscale materials are chemical substances containing structures on the scale of approximately 1 to 100 nanometers, and may have different molecular organizations and properties than the same chemical substances on a larger scale. Because such materials may have novel properties and present novel issues, evaluating and managing health and environmental risks of nanoscale materials poses a new challenge. Under the Toxic Substances Control Act, EPA has the authority to require the development of data necessary for the assessment of chemical substances and mixtures from persons that manufacture or process them when statutory findings concerning (1) production volume and exposure/entry into the environment or (2) potential hazard can be made, and to prevent and eliminate unreasonable risk of injury to human health and environment from chemical substances and mixtures. The Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT) is establishing a voluntary program to assemble existing data and information from manufacturers and processors of certain nanoscale materials. With this assembled material, EPA will take appropriate steps to protect human health and the environment from unreasonable risk from these substances. In October 2006 EPA announced a collaborative process to design a nanoscale material stewardship program inviting 500 organizations and agencies to participate. On July 12, 2007, the Agency published a document that describes specific elements regarding a voluntary stewardship program for nanoscale materials, a proposed information collection request, and a paper that describes determining the TSCA inventory status of nanoscale materials. In addition, EPA conducted a public meeting on August 2 to receive oral comments on the stewardship program and the published documents. A notice announcing the stewardship program was published in January, 2008. EPA intends to publish an interim evaluation in March 2009 and a final evaluation of the program including next steps in April 2010. 
Agency: Environmental Protection Agency(EPA)  Priority: Other Significant 
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Completed Actions 
Major: No  Unfunded Mandates: No 
CFR Citation: None     (To search for a specific CFR, visit the Code of Federal Regulations.)
Legal Authority: 15 USC 2601 et seq   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
Notice (Draft for Comment)  07/12/2007  72 FR 38083   
Notice (Final)  01/28/2008  73 FR 4861   
Additional Information: SAN No. 5058; EPA publication information: Notice (Draft for Comment) - http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-TOX/2007/July/Day-12/t13558.htm; EPA Docket information: EPA-HQ-OPPT-2004-0122
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No  Government Levels Affected: Federal, State 
Small Entities Affected: Businesses  Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No 
Agency Contact:
Jim Alwood
Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Mail Code 7405M,
Washington, DC 20460
Phone:202 564-8974
Fax:202 564-9490
Email: alwood.jim@epa.gov

Jim Willis
Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances
7405M,
Washington, DC 20460
Phone:202 564-0104
Fax:202 564-9490
Email: willis.jim@epamail.epa.gov