EPA Issues New TSCA Rule

The TSCA (Toxic Substances Control Act) is changing. EPA has just finalized a new rule changing the program name to Chemical Data Reporting (CDR). The purpose of CDR (and formerly TSCA) is to identify whether people or the environment are potentially exposed to reported chemical substances.

This rule affects companies that manufacture, (including manufacture as a byproduct) or import (for commercial purposes), chemical substances listed on the TSCA inventory.

Companies operating under NAICS codes 324110 (Chemical substance manufacturers/importers) and 22, 322, 331, 3344 (utilities, paper manufacturing, primary metal manufacturing, semiconductor and other electronic manufacturing) are those most likely to be affected.

 

 

Reporting frequency has been changed to every 4 years (from 5 years previously). You must calculate the chemicals manufactured over that four year period to see if the threshold has been surpassed (25,000 lbs for most). Reporting must be done electronically on EPA’s CDX reporting software.

To see if a chemical you manufacture is on the TSCA inventory list, check out the link:

http://www.epa.gov/oppt/
newchems/pubs/
tscainventorydatahelp.htm