TSCA: EPA Finalizes Significant Revisions to PBT PFAS Chemical Regulations

The EPA finalized amendments to the new chemicals procedural regulations under TSCA. The final rule ensures that new per- and polyfluroalkyl substances (PFAS) and other persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic chemicals are always subject to the full, robust safety review process prior to manufacture by eliminating their eligibility for a low volume exemption (LVE) or low release and exposure exemption (LoREX). Existing regulations allow EPA to grant safety review exemptions for the manufacturing of chemicals with low production quantities, environmental releases or human exposures. These exemptions allow the chemicals (which historically have included some PFAS) to undergo a shorter review instead of the full, robust review prior to manufacture. 

This final rule is effective January 17, 2025. This action furthers to address the impacts of ¿forever chemicals¿ and PBTs with potential for human exposure. Industries must adapt to more stringent pre-manufacture notification (PMN) submissions and be aware of less exemptions due to LVE and LoREX options in case of PFAS and PBTs.