Archives

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),...
August 11, 2026

EPA Releases Draft Exposure Assessments for trans‑1,2‑Dichloroethylene and 1,2‑Dichloropropane

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on July 31, 2026, that it is advancing its review of trans‑1,2‑dichloroethylene and 1,2‑dichloropropane under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) “by releasing draft technical support documents that explain how the agency estimates exposure to these common solvents.” According to EPA, “[e]valuating potential risks from these solvents is important because they are widely used in industry and may be present in...
August 10, 2026

Commerce Publishes Temporary Final Rule Restricting Export of “Black Mass” From Shredded Battery Scrap

The U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) published on August 6, 2026, a temporary final rule (the Rule) titled “DPAS Directive Allocation Order and Additional Requirements for Recoverable Critical Minerals and Materials” to restrict the exportation of black mass and tungsten waste and scrap. According to BIS, “this temporary rule is necessary to immediately secure the supply of certain recoverable [critical minerals and materials] CMMs to ensure an adequate...
July 29, 2026

EPA Extends Certain Compliance Dates for PCE and CTC Risk Management Rules

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a final rule on July 28, 2026, extending certain compliance dates applicable to certain entities subject to the risk management rules for perchloroethylene (PCE) and carbon tetrachloride (CTC) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). 91 Fed. Reg. 47145. EPA states that it is extending certain Workplace Chemical Protection Program (WCPP) compliance dates for non-federal owners and operators to match the existing compliance dates for...
July 14, 2026

EPA Announces $450 Million Settlement with PFAS Manufacturer

On June 24, 2026, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), and the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WV DEP) announced “the first comprehensive federal settlement with a major PFAS manufacturer, Chemours.” Under the $450 million settlement agreement, Chemours will spend more than $337 million on injunctive relief, including an estimated $280 million to provide alternative drinking water, $60 million to ensure compliance with...
July 2, 2026

EPA Seeks Information to Develop TSCA Regulation for Legacy Uses and Associated Disposals of Asbestos

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on June 23, 2026, that it seeks information “to develop a durable Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) regulation for legacy uses and associated disposals of asbestos, non-chrysotile and chrysotile asbestos fiber types, and asbestos-containing talc” (Asbestos Part 2). EPA evaluated these materials in its 2024 risk evaluation. EPA notes that “[e]xposure risk arises whenever asbestos-containing materials are disturbed -- during...
June 29, 2026

EPA Announces Next Step in TSCA Review of Five Chemicals

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on June 17, 2026, that it is advancing its review of five chemicals under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) -- 1,1,2-trichloroethane; 4,4'-(1-methylethylidene)bis[2,6-dibromophenol] (TBBPA); 1,2-dichloropropane;  ethylene dibromide; and trans-1,2-dichloroethylene -- by sending the underlying science to the Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals (SACC) for peer review and opening it for public comment. EPA states...
June 29, 2026

ACD’s ChemEdge 2026, August 12-14, 2026, Atlanta, GA

The Alliance for Chemical Distribution’s (ACD) ChemEdge 2026 conference provides training and education on issues important to chemical distributors, manufacturers, warehouses and service support companies. Ryan N. Schmit, Senior Regulatory Consultant, Acta, will present on chemical import/export requirements under TSCA and FIFRA on August 12, 2026....
June 29, 2026

Avoiding Costly Mistakes: TSCA Enforcement Insights and Trends You Need to Know, July 8, 2026, 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. (EDT), via webinar

EPA’s recent enforcement actions and TSCA citizen lawsuits highlight a growing focus on TSCA compliance, including chemical data reporting, import certifications, and accurate disclosure of chemical uses. During this webinar, which is exclusively available to Alliance for Chemical Distributors (ACD) members, Lynn L. Bergeson, President, Acta, and Ryan N. Schmit, Senior Regulatory Consultant, Acta, will explore key enforcement trends, lessons learned, and practical steps companies can take...
June 17, 2026

EPA Draft Risk Evaluation for TBBPA Identifies Unreasonable Risk to Workers and to the Environment

On June 12, 2026, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its draft risk evaluation for 4,4'-(1-methylethylidene)bis[2, 6-dibromophenol] (TBBPA) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). EPA states in its press release that “[u]sing gold standard science -- including real-world monitoring data and modeling -- the draft identifies unreasonable risk to workers from inhalation exposure (three conditions of use [COU]) and unreasonable risk to the environment from releases to...
June 12, 2026

EPA Announces Settlement with International Agribusiness Company for TSCA Violations

Shortly after announcing a case against a chemical supplier for failing to disclose imports of “hundreds of millions of pounds of toxic chemicals and their intended use,” the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on June 4, 2026, a settlement with an international agribusiness company for claims of violations of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) at its facilities in California and Washington. According to EPA, Wilbur-Ellis Company agreed to pay a penalty of $630,737 for...
June 3, 2026

EPA Files Administrative Complaint against Chemical Supplier for TSCA Violations

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on June 1, 2026, that it has filed an administrative complaint against Wego Chemical Group and related companies (Wego) for violations of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). According to EPA, the complaint is the result of Wego’s “years-long” failure to report properly its import and domestic distribution of chemical substances. EPA states that since at least 2016, Wego imported “hundreds of millions of pounds of hundreds of...
May 29, 2026

Appellate Court Vacates and Remands District Court Decision in TSCA Fluoride Case

As reported in our February 13, 2025, blog item, on January 17, 2025, the Biden U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) filed a notice of appeal in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California’s 2024 decision finding that the Plaintiffs established by a preponderance of the evidence that the levels of fluoride typical in drinking water in the United States pose an unreasonable risk of injury to the health of the public....
May 21, 2026

ACMA Composites 2026 Fly-In, June 9-11, 2026, Washington, D.C.

American Composites Manufacturers Association's Composites 2026 Fly-In brings together industry leaders in Washington, D.C. to meet directly with Members of Congress, federal agencies, and key decision-makers who influence the policies shaping our industry’s future. Lynn L. Bergeson will present on TSCA issues on June 9, 2026....
May 12, 2026

EPA Releases Final Risk Evaluation for 1,2-Dichloroethane, Finds Unreasonable Risk of Injury to Human Health for 15 COUs Involving Workplace Exposure

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on May 5, 2026, the availability of the final risk evaluation under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for 1,2-dichloroethane (also known as ethylene dichloride (EDC)). 91 Fed. Reg. 24230. 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 unreasonable risk to potentially...
April 21, 2026

EPA Releases Draft Risk Evaluations, Draft Hazard Assessments, and Supporting Documents for Four Chemicals

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on April 10, 2026, that it is advancing its review of four chemicals under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) -- 1,3,4,6,7,8-Hexahydro-4,6,6,7,8,8-hexamethylcyclopenta [g]-2-benzopyran (HHCB), phthalic anhydride, o-dichlorobenzene (oDCB), and p-dichlorobenzene (pDCB) -- by releasing draft documents related to the review of these chemicals and convening a Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals (SACC) peer review meeting. According to...
March 25, 2026

EPA Proposes to Extend Compliance Dates for PCE and CTC TSCA Risk Management Rules

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on March 24, 2026, that it will propose to extend certain compliance dates in the December 2024 final risk management rules for perchloroethylene (PCE) and carbon tetrachloride (CTC) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). According to EPA, it continues to revise the final rules “to ensure they are practical and implementable to protect human health and the environment and maintain uses that power the U.S. economy.” Until EPA...
March 6, 2026

Senate Committee Examines Draft TSCA Legislation, Focusing on New Chemical Review

The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW) held a hearing on a discussion draft of S.__, the Toxic Substances Control Act Fee Reauthorization and Improvement Act of 2026 (Discussion Draft) on March 4, 2026. The Committee’s one pager on the Discussion Draft notes that since the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) was enacted 50 years ago, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) “approval process for new chemicals has not been substantively improved. The current...
January 27, 2026

House Subcommittee Holds Hearing on Legislation to Modernize TSCA

The House Committee on Energy and Commerce held a hearing on January 22, 2026, on “Chemicals in Commerce: Legislative Proposal to Modernize America’s Chemical Safety Law, Strengthen Critical Supply Chains, and Grow Domestic Manufacturing.” The hearing focused on a draft bill titled Discussion Draft of Legislation to Modernize the Toxic Substances Control Act (Discussion Draft). As reported in our January 17, 2026, memorandum, the Discussion Draft would impose sweeping changes to many of...