EPA Renews Paperwork for Chemical Secret-Keepers Until 2029
Published Date: 4/23/2026
Notice
Summary
The EPA is asking to keep collecting info from contractors who need access to secret business details about chemicals, extending their approval through April 2029. This affects contractors working with the EPA on chemical safety and gives the public 30 more days to share their thoughts. No new fees or big changes, just making sure the paperwork stays up-to-date and smooth.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Contractor TSCA CBI Access Requirement
If you are contractor personnel who will handle Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Confidential Business Information (CBI), you must submit EPA Form 7740-6 ("TSCA CBI Access Request, Agreement, and Approval") and be authorized for access. The obligation to respond is mandatory under TSCA section 14 (15 U.S.C. 2613); the agency estimates 288 respondents, 461 burden hours per year, and a total respondent cost of $25,220 per year.
Higher Paperwork Burden For Contractors
EPA reports an increase in workload for this information collection: the number of contractor respondents rose from 214 to 288, producing a 120-hour increase in total estimated respondent burden. The ICR now estimates 461 burden hours per year and $25,220 in total respondent costs per year.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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The EPA is asking to keep collecting info about big health and environmental risks from chemicals, as required by law. This affects companies that handle chemicals, who must keep reporting any serious dangers they find. The current approval ends April 30, 2026, and the EPA wants to extend it, giving the public until May 26, 2026, to share their thoughts—no extra costs or big changes, just keeping the system running smoothly.
Next: 2026-07939 — Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Submission of Protocols and Study Reports for Environmental Research Involving Human Subjects (Renewal)
The EPA is asking to keep collecting info about studies involving people and the environment for a few more years. This affects researchers who submit study plans and reports, and the public can comment until May 26, 2026. No big cost changes, just a smooth renewal to keep important research moving forward.