Agency implements rule requiring companies to disclose
information regarding the use of certain industrial chemical
substances commonly used in natural gas and oil well
drilling.
On May 9, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued
a Direct Final Rule1 identifying 15 chemical
substances2 that will require notice prior to
manufacturing, importing, or processing for an activity designated
as a significant new use. These chemicals were flagged pursuant to
the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) significant new use rules
(SNURs). The notices, referred to as Significant New Use Notices
(SNUNs), must be submitted to EPA 90 days before a listed chemical
is manufactured, imported, or processed for an activity designated
as a significant new use. EPA states that this will provide the
agency with an opportunity to evaluate the intended use and
determine whether it is necessary under TSCA to prohibit or limit
the activity before it occurs.
