EPA Proposes Significant New Use Rules for SCCP, DnPP, Amends Benzidine Rule

March 28, 2012 by Brian Feito|FDA and EPA

The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing two significant new use rules (SNURs) under section 5(a)(2) of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for (i) di-n-pentyl phthalate (DnPP), and (ii) a short chain chlorinated paraffin (SCCP), and proposing to add nine benzidine-based chemical substances to the relevant existing SNUR. In the case of benzidine-based chemical substances, the EPA is also proposing to make inapplicable the exemption relating to persons that import or process substances as part of an article.

Proposed 90-day Notification Requirement for New Uses of SCCP, DnPP, Benzidines

These proposed SNURs would require persons that manufacture, import, or process any of the chemicals for a significant new use to notify the EPA at least 90 days before commencing such manufacture, process, or import of the chemical substances for a significant new use. The proposed elimination of the article exemption for benzadine-based substances would also require persons to notify the EPA at least 90 days before commencing processing or importing as part of an article any of the currently-listed or newly-proposed benzidine-based chemicals. Comments are due by May 29, 2012.

EPA press release (dated 03/20/12) announcing proposed SNURs, as well as two other SNURs for PDBEs and HBCD available here.