EPA Proposes Significant New Use Rule for Certain Nonylphenol and Nonylphenol Ethoxylates

摘要

On October 1, 2014, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed a Significant New Use Rule (SNUR) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for certain related chemical substances commonly known as nonylphenols (NP) and nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPE) (Federal Register [Fed. Reg.], 2014). For 13 NPs and NPEs, the EPA would designate any use as a "significant new use," and for two additional NPs, the EPA would designate that any use other than use as an intermediate or use as an epoxy cure catalyst would constitute a "significant new use" (Fed. Reg., 2014, p. 59186). For a variety of reasons, which are discussed next, the proposed rule is interesting and significant. The EPA has already agreed to extend the comment period to mid-January in response to several industry-trade groups' requests for more time.