Lynn L. Bergeson, “EPA Proposes Significant New Use Rule for Certain Nonylphenol and Nonylphenol Ethoxylates,” Environmental Quality Management, Spring 2015.
On October 1, 2014, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed a Significant New Use Rule (SNUR) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for certain related chemical substances commonly known as nonylphenols (NP) and nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPE) (Federal Register [Fed. Reg.], 2014). For 13 NPs and NPEs, the EPA would designate any use as a “significant new use,” and for two additional NPs, the EPA would designate that any use other than use as an intermediate or use as an epoxy cure catalyst would constitute a “significant new use” (Fed. Reg., 2014, p. 59186). For a variety of reasons, which are discussed next, the proposed rule is interesting and significant. The EPA has already agreed to extend the comment period to mid-January in response to several industry-trade groups’ requests for more time.