The EPA has released what it describes as the first update of the TSCA Inventory in 40 years. The update indicates that 47 percent of the 86,228 chemicals listed on the Inventory are “active,” which means they have been manufactured, processed, or imported for a nonexempt commercial purpose during the 10-year “lookback” period ending on June 21, 2016, the enactment date of the 2016 TSCA amendments. Determining if a chemical is on the Inventory is a critical step before beginning to manufacture, process, or import a chemical substance. For purposes of regulation under TSCA, if a chemical is on the Inventory, the substance is considered an existing chemical substance in U.S. commerce. Any chemical that is not on the Inventory is considered a “new chemical substance.” Section 5 of TSCA requires that anyone who plans to manufacture a new chemical substance for a nonexempt commercial purpose must provide the EPA with a Premanufacture Notice (PMN) at least 90 days before initiating the activity.
展开▼
