EPA SNURs & the TSCA
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued final significant new use rules (SNUR) for 145 chemical substances that are subject to premanufacture notice (PMN) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The substances names under the most recent SNUR orders range from alkylphenols to certain depolymerized waste plastics.
Submissions & Evaluations
Manufacturers/importers of the 145 named substances must now submit a notification to EPA within 90 days of commencing any activity deemed as a ‘significant new use’ of the chemical substance; such notification is termed a ‘significant new use notification’ or SNUN. Submission of the SNUN to EPA initiates the agency’s evaluation of the conditions of use of the chemical substance and prohibits manufacturing, processing or import activity of the substance until EPA concludes its evaluation of the significant new use. Outcomes of EPA’s evaluation may range from requiring new personal protective equipment to new hazard communication elements for any new exposures identified, to restrictions on the molecular weight distribution of a substance that may be synthesized.
Implications for Compliance & Safety Data Sheets
Issuance of a TSCA SNUR not only affects the conditions of manufacture and use of a chemical substance but also its associated regulatory documentation as well—including Safety Data Sheets (SDS), which typically described such details in the “Regulatory Information” section (i.e. Section 15).
Whether you need help navigating TSCA compliance or updating your Safety Data Sheets, Global Safety Management and its team of experts is here to help. Questions? Contact TotalSDS today!
