TSCA Section 4 Test Rules

US EPA has forwarded an Information Collection Request (ICR) to the White House Office of Management and Budget for review and approval. The agency is looking for more information on TSCA Section 4 test rules, consent orders, enforceable consent agreements, voluntary testing agreements, voluntary data submissions, and exemptions from testing requirements. The ICR covers the submission of test data to EPA to support the decision-making process for an industrial chemical under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Under TSCA, EPA has the authority to issue regulations designed to gather health, safety, and exposure information on, require testing of, and control exposure to chemical substances and mixtures. Drugs, cosmetics, foods, food additives, pesticides, and nuclear materials are exempt from TSCA.

Under TSCA Section 4, EPA must assure that appropriate tests are performed on a chemical if it decides that a chemical being considered may pose an “unreasonable risk” or is produced in “substantial quantities that may result in substantial or significant human exposure or substantial environmental release of the chemical.” EPA also requires testing if additional data are needed to determine or predict the impacts of the chemical’s manufacture, processing, distribution, use, or disposal.

The Agency originally sought comments on the ICR in August, 2011. Additional comments may be submitted on or before Mary 25, 2012, using docket ID Number EPA-HQ-OPPT-2010-1010.


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