EPA Hands Chemical Secrets to Contractor for Pollution Enforcement
Published Date: 10/26/2026
Notice
Summary
The EPA is letting Eastern Research Group (ERG) access secret business info about chemicals to help with pollution and safety work. This affects companies making or handling industrial chemicals and starts by November 2, 2026. No extra costs for businesses, but ERG’s access helps EPA enforce rules better and faster.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Contractor May Access Your TSCA Confidential Data
If you manufacture, process, or distribute industrial chemicals and submit information to EPA under any section of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), that information (including data claimed as Confidential Business Information) may be provided to or accessed by the contractor Eastern Research Group (ERG). ERG will be given access on or before November 2, 2026, and access will continue until June 27, 2031 (or longer if the contract is extended).
Contractor Will Support EPA Enforcement Activities
ERG has a contract to assist EPA's Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT) and enforcement offices with enforcement program implementation, enforcement case support, conducting inspections, providing laboratory support, and performing analysis. ERG will require access to TSCA information (including material claimed as CBI) to perform those duties.
Protections and Limits on Contractor Use of CBI
ERG personnel will be given access to TSCA CBI only on a need-to-know basis, must sign nondisclosure agreements, and will be briefed on security procedures. All access will follow EPA's TSCA CBI Protection Manual; disclosure to third parties is prohibited without prior written EPA approval, records of information provided to ERG will be maintained, and information must be returned when ERG completes its work.
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Key Dates
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