The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently published four documents relating to New Approach Methods (NAM) to the New Chemicals Division (NCD) Reference Library. The NCD Reference Library includes guidance documents, compliance advisories, templates, manuals, and other materials of interest for stakeholders wanting to understand the most up-to-date approaches for New Chemical assessment under Section 5 of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Documents published to the NCD...
Archives
September 22, 2026
EPA OIG’s Oversight Plan for FY 2027 Includes Evaluation of TSCA Priority Testing List
On September 15, 2026, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Inspector General (OIG) published its Oversight Plan for Fiscal Year 2027. According to OIG, its Office of Special Review and Evaluation (OSRE) reviews, evaluates, and inspects EPA and U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) programs and operations to determine how effectively they operate and whether they comply with legal, regulatory, and agency requirements. In fiscal year (FY) 2027, OSRE...
September 21, 2026
Appellate Court Grants Industry Petitioners’ Petition for Review and Vacates Methylene Chloride Rule and Risk Determination
On September 15, 2026, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit granted Industry Petitioners’ petition for review of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 2024 risk management rule for methylene chloride (MC). East Fork Enterprises v. EPA (No. 24-60227, consolidated with No. 24-60256). The court states that “[f]inding that errors of law occurred and substantial evidence did not support EPA’s decision,” it grants the Industry Petitioners’ petition for review, vacates...
September 14, 2026
EPA Draft TSCA Risk Evaluation of Ethylene Dibromide Identifies Significant Contributions to Unreasonable Risk to Workers and Occupational Non-Users
On August 19, 2026, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability of and requested public comment on the draft risk evaluation under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for ethylene dibromide. 91 Fed. Reg. 53618. EPA states that the purpose of risk evaluations under TSCA is to determine whether a chemical substance presents an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment under the conditions of use (COU), including unreasonable risk to potentially...
On September 2, 2026, President Trump signed the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2027 (H.R. 6500) that provides continuing fiscal year (FY) 2027 appropriations for federal agencies and extends various expiring programs and authorities. Under the bill, appropriations and funds made available and authority granted pursuant to H.R. 6500 will be available until: The enactment into law of an appropriation for any project or activity provided for in H.R. 6500; The enactment into law of...
Chemical Watch presents TSCA Fundamentals, a two day course taught by Richard E. Engler, Ph.D., Richard J. Fehir, Ph.D., and Ryan N. Schmit, providing in-depth training on the very latest TSCA regulatory and policy developments, their impact and how to anticipate their requirements, comply with the law and remain commercially competitive.
September 8, 2026
EPA Announces Two Scientific Advances Designed to Modernize Safety Reviews of New Chemicals and Pesticides
On August 27, 2026, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced two scientific advancements designed to modernize safety reviews of new chemicals and pesticides while further eliminating the Agency’s reliance on animal testing. According to EPA, the new methods will help it assess the potential inhalation and oral risks of certain chemicals and pesticides faster and with greater human relevance, advancing the Agency's commitments to transparency, regulatory certainty, and the...
September 2, 2026
EDF Blog Item States Country-Specific Exposure, Use Patterns, and Regulatory Requirements Matter More Than Chemical’s Approval Status in Other Countries
The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) posted a blog item on August 27, 2026, entitled “American Chemical Safety Decisions Should Be Based on American Conditions of Use.” As we reported in our January 27, 2026, and March 6, 2026, memoranda, the House and Senate have each held hearings on discussion drafts of legislation that would amend the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). EDF’s blog item explores why the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) experience,...
August 25, 2026
NGOs Challenge EPA Approval of Two New Chemicals for Use in the Manufacture of Semiconductors
On August 14, 2026, Earthjustice announced that two non-governmental organizations (NGO) filed suit in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit challenging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) approval of two new chemicals for use in the manufacturing of semiconductors. CHIPS Communities United and Sierra Club seek review of two Consent Orders issued under Section 5 of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) authorizing the manufacture, processing, distribution in commerce,...
August 18, 2026
EPA Releases Draft TSCA Risk Evaluations for oDCB and pDCB, “Two Chemicals Found in Household and Commercial Products”
On August 10, 2026, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability of and requested public comment on the draft risk evaluations under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for o-dichlorobenzene (oDCB) and p-dichlorobenzene (pDCB). 91 Fed. Reg. 51488. EPA notes that the purpose of TSCA risk evaluations is to determine whether a chemical substance presents an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment under the conditions of use (COU), including...