Effective April 9, 2020, EPA is amending the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) regulations by extending the submission deadline for 2020 reports from September 30, 2020, to November 30, 2020. This is a one-time extension for the 2020 submission period only. The CDR regulations require manufacturers (including importers) of certain chemical substances included on the TSCA Chemical Substance Inventory (TSCA Inventory) to report data on the manufacturing, processing, and use of the chemical substances. This extension may potentially affect any entity that manufactures (including imports) chemical substances listed on the TSCA Inventory.

EPA does not indicate that this extension relates to the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, EPA indicates that the one-time extension is for the purpose of allowing additional time for the regulated community to become familiar with the changes to the CDR reporting requirements as a result of the CDR Revisions Final Rule (FRL–10006–56) and to allow time for reporters to familiarize themselves with an updated public version of the reporting tool. EPA believes it is appropriate to extend the reporting period to allow the regulated community additional time to submit their reports. Although not attributed to COVID-19, this extension could nonetheless provide welcome news to companies already struggling through challenges presented by the pandemic.

For details, visit www.epa.gov.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold a call on April 16, 2020, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. (EDT) on its recently announced plan to reduce burden for certain stakeholders subject to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) fees rule requirements for EPA-initiated risk evaluations.  The call will cover:

• TSCA fees rule requirements and processes associated with EPA-initiated risk evaluations;
• EPA’s March 25, 2020, rulemaking announcement and “No Action Assurance” and the implications for certain manufacturers who:  (1) import a high-priority chemical in an article; (2) produce a high-priority chemical as a byproduct; or (3) produce or import a high-priority chemical as an impurity; and
• Reporting obligations during the current comment period for the preliminary lists of fee payers, closing May 27, 2020.

EPA asks stakeholders to submit questions by April 14, 2020, to Ben Dyson, dyson.benjamin@epa.gov, and EPA will address them during the call.  Additional questions from participants will be answered during the call as time permits.  Registration is now open.