EPA Slaps New Use Rules on 26 Sneaky Chemical Substances
Published Date: 7/30/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
EPA is proposing significant new use rules (SNURs) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for certain chemical substances that were the subject of premanufacture notices (PMNs) and are also subject to an Order issued by EPA pursuant to TSCA. Once finalized, the SNURs would require persons who intend to manufacture (defined by statute to include import) or process any of these chemical substances for an activity that is proposed as a significant new use by this rulemaking to notify EPA at least 90 days before commencing that activity. The required notification initiates EPA's evaluation of the conditions of that use for that chemical substance. In addition, the manufacture or processing for the significant new use may not commence until EPA has conducted a review of the required notification, made an appropriate determination regarding that notification, and taken such actions as required by that determination.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 5 costs, 0 mixed.
High SNUN Submission Costs and Fees
If you submit a Significant New Use Notice (SNUN), EPA estimates preparation and submission costs of about $45,496 per SNUN for large businesses and $14,976 for small businesses. Submitters must also pay a user fee of $37,000 (or a reduced fee of $6,480 for small businesses as defined at 13 CFR 121.201).
90‑Day Advance Notice to EPA Required
If you plan to manufacture (including import) or process any listed chemical for an activity the rule calls a "significant new use," you must notify EPA at least 90 days before starting that activity. Manufacturing or processing for the significant new use may not begin until EPA reviews the notification and makes a required determination.
Existing TSCA Order Controls Are Mandatory Baseline
EPA's proposed SNURs treat absence of the protective measures in the underlying TSCA Orders as a "significant new use." The Orders require measures such as use only in enclosed processes, specified disposal (e.g., incineration), personal protective equipment, no releases to water, concentration limits in final products (e.g., 1%, 5%, 20% for some substances), annual manufacture volume caps (e.g., 50,000 kg; 10,000 kg for others), and respirator APF requirements (APF ≥50 generally, and APF ≥1,000 for spray application or >6% formulations under certain conditions).
July 30, 2026 Cutoff for Ongoing Uses
EPA set July 30, 2026 as the cutoff date to determine whether a new use is ongoing. Persons who begin manufacture or processing for a significant new use on or after the designated cutoff date would have to cease such activity upon the effective date of a final rule and would need to comply with SNUR notification requirements and EPA action to resume.
One‑Time Export Notice and Per‑Notification Cost
If you export a substance covered by these proposed SNURs, you must provide a one‑time export notification to EPA for the first export or intended export to a particular country; EPA estimates the per‑notification cost is about $106. This applies to exports on or after August 31, 2026.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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