More EPA Rules: Notify Us Before New Chemical Ventures
Published Date: 11/2/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
The EPA is setting new rules for certain chemicals that need a heads-up before anyone makes or uses them in new ways. If you plan to start a new use, you must tell the EPA 90 days ahead so they can check if it’s safe. This affects manufacturers and importers, and you have until December 3, 2025, to share your thoughts on these rules.
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 5 costs, 1 mixed.
High SNUN Submission Costs
If you submit a Significant New Use Notice (SNUN), EPA estimates the cost at about $45,000 per SNUN for large businesses and about $14,500 for small businesses; user fees are about $37,000 for large submitters or a reduced $6,480 for small businesses.
90‑Day Notice Before New Uses
If you manufacture or import any listed chemical for a use the rule calls a "significant new use," you must notify EPA at least 90 days before starting that activity and you may not begin the new use until EPA reviews the notice and makes a determination.
November 3, 2025 Cutoff for Ongoing Uses
EPA set November 3, 2025 as the cutoff date to decide whether a use is ongoing; persons who begin manufacture or processing of a listed chemical for a designated significant new use on or after that date would have to stop that activity when the final rule becomes effective and comply with SNUR notification requirements to resume.
Import‑Only Manufacturing Limits for Some Chemicals
For several listed substances (for example P-20-138, P-21-101, P-22-68, and others), EPA's TSCA Orders require manufacture only by import into the U.S. (i.e., no domestic manufacture); the proposed SNURs would make the absence of that restriction a "significant new use" requiring prior EPA notification.
Required Respirators, PPE, and Other Controls
Many of the TSCA Orders for the listed substances require specific exposure controls such as NIOSH‑certified respirators with APFs (for example APF ≥10, ≥50, or ≥1,000 in spray scenarios), personal protective equipment, hazard communication, and limits on releases to surface water (e.g., 1 ppb, 60 ppb, 550 ppb, 32 ppb for various substances); the proposed SNURs would treat the absence of these measures as a significant new use.
Export Notification Requirement from Dec 3, 2025
If you export a listed chemical on or after December 3, 2025, you must follow TSCA section 12(b) export notification rules and provide a one‑time notice to EPA for the first export or intended export to each country, with an estimated cost of about $106 per notification.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-10085 — Rescission of Regulatory Determinations and Removal of Related Provisions for Four PFAS Substances (PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA (GenX), and the Mixture of These Three PFAS Plus PFBS)
The EPA is proposing to undo its rules for four PFAS chemicals (PFHxS, PFNA, GenX, and a mix including PFBS) in drinking water because the original process wasn’t done right. This means public water systems won’t have to monitor or treat these chemicals for now. People and water providers should weigh in by July 20, 2026, and a virtual hearing happens July 7.
2026-10086 — Extending the Compliance Deadline for the PFOA and PFOS Maximum Contaminant Levels
The EPA is giving water systems more time to meet safety rules for two harmful chemicals, PFOA and PFOS, by extending the deadline from April 2029 to April 2031 if they ask for it. This helps water providers get ready without rushing, keeping our drinking water safe. The EPA wants your thoughts and will hold a public hearing in July 2026 to hear from everyone.
2026-09895 — Effluent Limitations Guidelines and Standards for the Steam Electric Power Generating Point Source Category-Unmanaged Combustion Residual Leachate
The EPA is updating rules for steam electric power plants to better control dirty water leaking from leftover coal waste. This change affects existing power plants and is expected to save up to $1 billion a year while protecting water quality. Comments on the proposal are open until June 17, 2026, so now’s the time to speak up!
2026-09524 — Begin Actual Construction in the New Source Review (NSR) Preconstruction Permitting Program
The EPA is updating rules about when companies can start building big projects that might affect air quality. Now, they can begin building parts that don’t release pollution before getting a full air permit, making things clearer and easier. This change mainly affects businesses planning major construction and could speed up projects without extra costs, but comments are due by June 29, 2026.
2026-09179 — Definition of Hazardous Waste Applicable to Corrective Action for Releases From Solid Waste Management Units; Withdrawal
The EPA has decided to cancel its plan to change the rules about what counts as hazardous waste for cleaning up pollution at certain waste sites. This means businesses and cleanup crews won’t have to deal with the confusing new rules that were proposed. The withdrawal takes effect immediately, so no extra costs or changes will happen right now.
2026-08750 — Extension of Postponement of Effectiveness for Certain Provisions of Trichloroethylene (TCE); Regulation Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)
The EPA is hitting the pause button again on some rules about a chemical called TCE, which is used in workplaces. This means certain limited uses of TCE won’t have to follow new restrictions just yet, while courts review the rules. If you work with TCE, this delay gives you more time before changes kick in, starting May 18, 2026.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-19749 — Periodic Reporting
The Postal Regulatory Commission wants the Postal Service to improve how it reports data in its yearly compliance reports. They’ve asked for a progress update and are inviting the public to share their thoughts by December 8, 2025. This could lead to clearer, more accurate postal data without any immediate cost changes but better info for everyone.
Next: 2025-19756 — Significant New Use Rules on Certain Chemical Substances (24-5.5e)
The EPA is proposing new rules that require companies to tell them 90 days before using certain chemicals in new ways. This gives the EPA time to check if the new use is safe before it starts. If you make or import these chemicals, you’ll need to follow these rules by December 3, 2025, or risk delays and extra costs.