Per- and Poly-Fluoroalkyl Chemical Substances Designated as Inactive on the TSCA Inventory; Significant New Use Rule

Federal Register on 01/26/2023 published about  EPA  recommendations on Significant new use (SNUR) where PFAS that have not been manufactured (including imported) or processed for many years are considered as inactive on the TSCA Chemical Substance Inventory.

A class of compounds known as PFAS has been utilised in industry and consumer goods since the 1940s due to their beneficial qualities, such as water and stain resistance.

The EPA would need to be notified at least 90 days prior to the start of any manufacture (including import) or processing of the chemical substance for a major new application by those who are subject to the SNUR.

In order to determine whether the use may cause an unreasonable risk to the environment or to human health, EPA must analyse the notification and make an affirmative decision. By this, EPA will be able to stop any further pollution of the PFAS covered by this SNUR into the environment.