Subject: EPA Proposes Reporting and Record Keeping Requirements on Nanoscale
Materials in the Marketplace
Date: Wed, 25 Mar 2015 10:07:22 -0500
From:
oppt.epa**At_Symbol_Here**public.govdelivery.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
March 25, 2015

For
the first time the agency will use TSCA authority to collect health and safety
information on nanoscale chemicals already in use.

WASHINGTON D.C., - The
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing one-time reporting and
record-keeping requirements on nanoscale chemical substances in the
marketplace.

"Nanotechnology holds great promise for improving products, from
TVs and vehicles to batteries and solar panels, said Jim Jones, EPA=E2=80™s Assistant
Administrator for Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention. "We want to continue
to facilitate the trend toward this important technology. Today's action will
ensure that EPA also has information on nano-sized versions of chemicals that
are already in the marketplace."

EPA currently reviews new chemical
substances manufactured or processed as nanomaterials prior to introduction into
the marketplace to ensure that they are safe. For the first time, the agency is
proposing to use TSCA to collect existing exposure and health and safety
information on chemicals currently in the marketplace when manufactured or
processed as nanoscale materials.  The proposal will require one-time reporting
from companies that manufacture or process chemical substances as nanoscale
materials.

The companies will notify EPA of:
=E2=80=A2    certain information,
including specific chemical identity;
=E2=80=A2    production volume;
=E2=80=A2    methods of
manufacture; processing, use, exposure, and release information; and,
=E2=80=A2   
available health and safety data.

Nanoscale materials have special properties
related to their small size such as greater strength and lighter weight,
however, they may take on different properties than their conventionally-sized
counterpart. The proposal is not intended to conclude that nanoscale materials
will cause harm to human health or the environment; Rather, EPA would use the
information gathered to determine if any further action under the Toxic
Substances Control Act (TSCA), including additional information collection, is
needed.

The proposed reporting requirements are being issued under the
authority of section 8(a) under TSCA. The agency is requesting public comment on
the proposed reporting and record-keeping requirements 90 days from publication
in the Federal Register. EPA also anticipates holding a public meeting during
the comment period. The time and place of the meeting will be announced on EPA's
web page.  Additional information and a fact sheet on the specifics of the
proposed rule and what constitutes a nanoscale chemical material can be found
at: http://www.epa.gov/oppt/nano/

CONTACT: Cathy Milbourn (News Media only);
milbourn.cathy**At_Symbol_Here**epa.gov ; (202) 564-7849; (202)-564-4355