The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has provided new insight into how it reviews mixed metal oxides (MMOs), including cathode active materials (CAMs) and modified or doped CAMs, under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). In an April 24, 2026, proposed significant new use rule (SNUR), EPA cited a group of technical and policy documents—some newly posted on EPA’s New Chemicals Division Reference Library—that describe EPA’s standardized approach to evaluating and managing risks from certain MMO CAMs used in lithium-ion batteries. 91 Fed. Reg. 22075.
The proposed SNUR is important for battery material manufacturers, battery manufacturers, importers, processors, recyclers, and companies developing next-generation battery chemistries. EPA received approximately 25 premanufacture notices (PMNs) and significant new use notices (SNUNs) for MMO CAMs from December 2022 through January 2026, reflecting substantial innovation in this area. EPA indicates that, for future in-scope
