2026-22576·ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

Significant New Use Rules on Certain Chemical Substances (25-3.5e)

Final RuleFinal Rule

Published: Nov 5, 2026
Effective: Jan 4, 2027
Citation: 91 FR 69704
Docket: EPA-HQ-OPPT-2025-2169, FRL-13126-03-OCSPP

Final rule.

Summary

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has adopted a final rule that creates “significant new use” (SNU) requirements for a set of chemicals already identified in pre‑manufacture notices (PMNs) and covered by an EPA order under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The purpose of the rule is to give EPA advance notice and the opportunity to assess any new ways those chemicals might be made, imported, or processed that could pose additional risks to health or the environment. If a company plans a use that the rule flags as “significant,” it must tell EPA at least 90 days before starting the activity, and it cannot proceed until EPA reviews the notice and decides whether any restrictions or other actions are needed. The rule is issued by the EPA and applies to any manufacturer, importer, or processor of the listed chemical substances who intends to begin a newly identified significant use. Because the rule is already final, there is no public comment period; the regulation takes effect on January 4, 2027, as noted in the Federal Register (91 FR 69704). Going forward, affected firms must submit the required 90‑day notifications for any qualifying new uses, after which EPA will evaluate the proposals and determine whether to allow the activity, impose conditions, or prohibit it.

AI-generated summary — verify against the Federal Register text.

Official abstract

EPA is issuing significant new use rules (SNURs) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for certain chemical substances that were the subject of premanufacture notices (PMNs) and are also subject to an Order issued by EPA pursuant to TSCA. The SNURs require persons to notify EPA at least 90 days before commencing the manufacture (defined by statute to include import) or processing of any of these chemical substances for an activity that is designated as a significant new use in the SNUR. The required notification initiates EPA's evaluation of the conditions of that use for that chemical substance. In addition, the manufacture or processing for the significant new use may not commence until EPA has conducted a review of the required notification; made an appropriate determination regarding that notification; and taken such actions as required by that determination.