The Environmental Protection Agency is extending until June 26 the period for comments on its proposed new Significant New Use Rule (SNUR) for certain long-chain perfluoroalkyl carboxylates (LCPFAC), as well as the agency's proposed elimination of an exemption from reporting requirements for perfluoroalkyl sulfonate imported in carpets (here). Comments on the Jan. 21 proposed rule were originally due March 23 (see 1501200010).
The Environmental Protection Agency is revising its Standards for Performance for New Residential Wood Heaters, in a final rule that takes effect May 15 (here). The amended regulations tighten emissions standards for wood heaters, eliminate exemptions “over a broad suite” of residential wood combustion devices, “strengthen” test methods, and “streamline” the certification process, it said. EPA is also adding a new subpart to its regulations for New Residential Hydronic Heaters and Forced-Air Furnaces. Tougher emission standards will be phased in over two stages, in 2015 and in 2020.
The Environmental Protection Agency is asking for comments by April 8 on ways it can streamline its regulations, it said in a March 9 Federal Register notice (here). EPA began a retrospective review of its regulations in 2011, and seeks more comments as part of its ongoing review. This latest request for input is focused on “how the agency can promote regulatory modernization through business-process streamlining facilitated by improved technology,” said EPA.
The Environmental Protection Agency is changing the name of its long-standing Design for the Environment (DfE) program, it said in a March 6 Federal Register notice (here). The Safer Choice program, as it will now be known, will operate under nearly the same standards as DfE, with an additional label for fragrance-free products, according to documents posted on the EPA website (here). Revised labels that reflect the program’s new name are also being created for consumer products and for industrial and institutional products, said EPA (here). Comments on the changes are due May 5.
The Environmental Protection Agency is issuing a significant new use rule (SNUR) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for a heat transfer fluid that is currently the subject of premanufacture notices (PMNs) (here). As a result of the SNUR, persons planning to manufacture, import, or process Pentane, 1,1,1,2,3,3-hexafluoro-4-(1,1,2,3,3,3- hexafluoropropoxy) for an activity that is designated as a significant new use by this rule are to notify EPA at least 90 days in advance. The final rule takes effect April 6.
The Environmental Protection Agency is promulgating significant new use rules (SNURs) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for 27 chemical substances that were the subject of premanufacture notices (PMNs) (here). As a result of the SNURs, persons planning to manufacture, import, or process any of these 52 chemicals for an activity that is designated as a significant new use by this rule are to notify EPA at least 90 days in advance. The final rule takes effect April 3.
The Environmental Protection Agency is granting a partial exemption from chemical processing and use reporting requirements for six biodiesels. The agency’s direct final rule adds the following substances to the “low current interest list”: Tallow, Methyl Ester: CASRN 61788-61-2; Soy Oil, Methyl Ester: CASRN 67784-80-9; Canola Oil, Methyl Ester: CASRN 129828-16-6; Fatty acids, corn oil, Me esters: CASRN 515152-40-6; Fatty acids, C16-18 and C-18-unsaturated, Me esters: CASRN 67762-38-3; and Fatty acids, C14-18 and C16-18 unsaturated, Me esters: CASRN 67762-26-9. The partial exemptions take effect March 30, unless EPA receives comments in opposition in the next 30 days.
The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing a new Significant New Use Rule (SNUR) for certain long-chain perfluoroalkyl carboxylates (LCPFAC) (here). Under the SNUR, any importation, processing or manufacturing of the chemicals for new uses would be subject to requirements to notify EPA at least 90 days before they are used. LCPFAC imported as part of an article would not be exempt from the reporting requirements. EPA is also proposing to amend a SNUR on perfluoroalkyl sulfonate (PFAS) to eliminate an exemption from reporting requirements for importers who bring in PFAS as part of carpets. Comments are due March 23.
The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing new reporting requirements for tolulene diisocyanurates (TDI) under a significant new use rule (here). The proposed SNUR would require notification to EPA at least 90 days in advance from importers, manufacturers or processors that intend to use the chemicals in consumer products. Use in coatings, elastomers, adhesives, binders, and sealants that results in less than or equal to 0.1 percent by weight of TDI in a consumer product would be exempt. Imports and processors would not receive an article exemption for these chemicals when imported as part of another product. Comments on the proposed SNUR are due March 16.
The Environmental Protection Agency is setting a significant new use rule (SNUR) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for nine benzadine based chemicals that it says were formerly used in textile dyes, as well as paints and inks. The agency's final rule (here) also eliminates the exemption for both newly- and previously-listed benzadines for importers and processors of the chemicals. EPA said the SNUR on benzadines "closes a loophole to ensure that these chemicals and products containing them, such as clothing, cannot be imported without EPA review and possible restriction," in a press release dated Dec. 17 (here). The EPA press release said benzadine dyes are no longer in use.