EPA Demands 90-Day Heads-Up on New Chemical Uses
Published Date: 6/5/2026
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 uses are safe before they start. If you make or import these chemicals, you’ll need to follow these rules starting soon, so get ready to notify and wait for approval!
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 4 costs, 2 mixed.
High Per‑Submission SNUN Costs and Fees
If you submit a Significant New Use Notice (SNUN), EPA estimates the average submission cost is $45,496 for large businesses and $14,976 for small businesses. In addition, user fees apply: $37,000 for regular submitters or a reduced fee of $6,480 for small businesses.
90‑Day Pre‑Notice Before New Chemical Uses
If you plan to manufacture, import, or process any listed chemical for a use designated as a "significant new use," you must notify EPA at least 90 days before starting that activity. You cannot begin the activity until EPA reviews the notice and makes a determination that allows the activity to proceed.
June 5, 2026 Cutoff For Ongoing Uses
EPA set June 5, 2026 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 date, they must stop that activity when the final SNUR becomes effective and may only resume after complying with SNUR notification requirements and EPA approval.
Consumer‑Product Use Limits for Some Substances
For certain listed substances, EPA's Orders prohibit processing or use in consumer products (or allow it only if concentrations are below specified limits, e.g., combined concentration ≤ 1.7% by weight). These restrictions are designated as "significant new uses" if they are absent.
Workplace Respirator and Exposure Controls Required
Several Orders require protective measures at workplaces, including personal protective equipment, specific NIOSH‑certified respirator assigned protection factors (for example, APF values of 10, 50, 1,000 are cited) and, for one substance, a New Chemical Exposure Limit (NCEL) of 8.97E-05 mg/m3 as an 8‑hour TWA. Some Orders also require exposure monitoring and engineering controls with stated minimum efficiencies (for example, 94% or >97%).
Export Notification Requirement and Low Per‑Notice Cost
If you export a substance that is the subject of one of these proposed SNURs on or after July 6, 2026, you must provide a one‑time export notice to EPA for the first export or intended export to each country. EPA estimates the per‑notification cost is 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
2026-19071, 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.
2026-19072, 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!
2026-18317, 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: 2026-11312, Louisiana: Approval of State Coal Combustion Residuals Permit Program
Louisiana wants to take charge of its own coal ash cleanup by running its own permit program instead of following the federal rules. The EPA thinks Louisiana’s plan mostly works but wants your thoughts before giving the final thumbs-up. If approved, this could speed up local decisions and might affect companies handling coal waste starting soon.
Next: 2026-11325, Airworthiness Directives; Gulfstream Aerospace LP (Type Certificate Previously Held by Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd.) Airplanes
The FAA wants all Gulfstream 200 and Galaxy airplane owners to update their maintenance plans with new, stricter safety rules. This change helps keep these planes safe by making sure inspections and repairs happen on time. Owners should get ready to follow these new rules soon, which might mean some extra work and costs but way better safety in the sky!