EPA Proposes Alerts for Emerging Chemical Uses Ahead
Published Date: 11/2/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
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.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 5 costs, 0 mixed.
High SNUN Submission and User Fees
If you submit a Significant New Use Notice (SNUN), EPA estimates average submission costs of about $45,000 for large businesses and $14,500 for small businesses. In addition, submitters must pay a user fee of either $37,000 (standard) or a reduced fee of $6,480 if they qualify as a small business.
90‑Day Pre-Notice Before New Uses
If you plan to manufacture, import, or process any listed chemical for a use EPA calls a "significant new use," you must notify EPA at least 90 days before starting that activity. You may not begin the new use until EPA reviews the notification and makes a determination.
November 3, 2025 Cutoff for Ongoing Uses
EPA designates November 3, 2025 as the cutoff date to decide whether a use is ongoing. If a person begins manufacture or processing for a significant new use on or after that cutoff date and the final rule later makes it a SNUR, they would have to stop the activity when the final rule is effective and comply with SNUR notification requirements to resume.
Existing TSCA Order Restrictions Must Be Followed
These SNURs identify as a "significant new use" any manufacturing, processing, use, distribution, or disposal that does not follow the restrictions in the underlying TSCA Orders. Examples of those restrictions include respirator requirements (specified APFs such as 50, 1,000, or 10,000), limits on processing above 5% in formulation, limits on domestic manufacture (import-only), processing only at specified facilities, and release limits (e.g., surface water concentration limits of 152 ppb, 160 ppb, 14 ppb, 6 ppb, or a dust release limit of 8.3 kg/year).
Export Notification and Per-Notice Cost
If you export a chemical listed in this proposed rule on or after December 3, 2025, you must provide a one-time export notification to EPA for the first export or intended export to each country. EPA estimates the per-notification cost at about $106.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-19072, Rescission of the Greenhouse Gas Findings for Fossil Fuel-Fired Power Plants and Repeal of Regulations for Power Plant Greenhouse Gas Emissions Under Clean Air Act Section 111
The EPA is proposing to cancel all greenhouse gas rules for fossil fuel power plants, saying the law doesn’t let them regulate these emissions for climate reasons. This change affects power plants across the U.S. and could impact future pollution limits and costs. Comments on this proposal are open until November 2, 2026, so now’s the time to speak up!
2026-19071, Partial Repeal of the Carbon Pollution Standards for Fossil Fuel-Fired Electric Generating Units
The EPA is rolling back most of the 2024 rules that limited carbon pollution from fossil fuel power plants. This change affects coal and gas plants by easing some strict limits on emissions and carbon capture technology. The new rules kick in on November 16, 2026, potentially saving money for power plants but raising questions about pollution control.
2026-18317, Updated Definition of “Waters of the United States”
The purpose of this supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking is for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of the Army ("the agencies") to supplement and seek additional comment on certain aspects of an earlier proposal, published on November 20, 2025, to revise the regulations defining the scope of waters federally covered under the Clean Water Act in light of the U.S. Supreme Court's 2023 decision in Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency. As stated in the agencies' November 20, 2025 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), the agencies intend for this rulemaking to provide greater regulatory certainty and increase Clean Water Act program predictability and consistency by clarifying the definition of "waters of the United States." After consideration of the public comments received on the NPRM, the agencies are issuing this notice to supplement the NPRM with additional regulatory options on certain aspects of the proposed rule.
2026-14112, Amendments and Nonconformance Penalties for Model Year 2027 and Later Heavy-Duty Highway Engines and Amendments to Inducement Provisions for SCR-Equipped Diesel Engines
Starting with model year 2027, the EPA is updating rules for big truck engines to make sure they last longer and pollute less. They’re also letting engine makers pay penalties if their engines don’t meet standards, and tightening rules for special pollution-control systems on diesel engines. These changes affect truck and engine makers and kick in soon, with public feedback due by August 29, 2026.
2026-13667, Minor New Source Review Program Air Permitting Public Participation Requirements for State Implementation Plans
The EPA wants to give states more freedom to decide how much public input is needed when approving small air pollution sources or changes. This means local air agencies can tailor public participation to fit their community’s needs while still protecting air quality. If you’re involved in air permits, watch for comment deadlines and possible virtual hearings this summer!
2026-13263, Revisions To Establish the Sixth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 6) for Public Water Systems
The EPA is rolling out the sixth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 6) to check for new, sneaky chemicals in public drinking water. Big water systems serving 3,300+ people and some smaller ones will test for 30 different contaminants, including certain PFAS and pesticides, to keep our water safe. Comments and feedback are open until late August 2026, and the EPA will host fun online meetings to chat about the plan!
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-19755, Significant New Use Rules on Certain Chemical Substances (25-1.5e)
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.
Next: 2025-19757, Significant New Use Rules on Certain Chemical Substances (25-2.5e)
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 uses are safe before they start. If you make or import these chemicals, be ready for extra steps and possible delays starting soon!