EPA Seeks Input on Protecting Chemical Companies' Secrets
Published Date: 2/25/2026
Notice
Summary
The EPA wants to keep collecting info about secret business claims under the Toxic Substances Control Act and is asking for your thoughts before renewing this process. Companies that share chemical info with the EPA might be affected, and comments are due by April 27, 2026. This renewal keeps things running smoothly without extra costs but helps protect sensitive business secrets.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Option to Extend Confidentiality Claims
Under the renewed collection, TSCA submitters have an option to request extensions of Confidential Business Information (CBI) claims for up to 10 additional years. The renewal continues EPA procedures for reviewing, notifying, and maintaining CBI claims as described in 40 CFR 703 and related TSCA provisions.
Renewal of TSCA CBI Paperwork
If your company submits confidential chemical information to EPA under TSCA, the agency is renewing the required information collection. The renewal covers about 1,100 potential respondents, with a total estimated burden of 1,160 hours per year and total estimated costs of $53,050.10 per year; responding is mandatory under 15 U.S.C. 2713 and 40 CFR 703.
Paperwork Burden Reduced Since Last Approval
EPA reports the estimated respondent burden for this ICR decreased by 709 hours compared with the prior approval. The decrease reflects EPA's implementation of TSCA changes (Lautenberg) and the June 7, 2023 rule reforms to confidentiality procedures.
EPA Seeks Input from Very Small Businesses
EPA specifically requests comments from very small businesses (those that employ less than 25) on how to reduce the paperwork burden of this collection. Very small businesses are invited to provide examples of additional efforts EPA could make to lower compliance burden.
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