EPA to introduce rules for new substances PMNs and MCAN.

On 2 December 2022, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a notification for chemical substances that are the subject of premanufacture notifications (PMNs) and Microbial Commercial Activity Notices (MCANs).  The EPA is issuing significant new use rules (SNURs) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The SNURs mandate that anyone planning to manufacture (defined by legislation to include import) or process any of these chemical substances for an activity that is identified by this rule as a substantial new use, must notify the EPA at least 90 days prior to the start of that activity. The mandatory notice starts EPA's evaluation of the use within the relevant review period, under the conditions of use for that chemical substance. Nobody is permitted to start manufacturing or processing for a significant new use before the EPA has examined the notice, made an appropriate determination on the notice, and has taken the actions that are required by that determination. This new rule will be effective from 31 January 2023.