Reviewing New Chemicals under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)

EPA's Review Process for New Chemicals

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Please Note

On June 22, 2016, President Obama signed the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, which updates the Toxic Substances Control Act. EPA will update its web pages to conform to the provisions of the statute, but until then some content may be out of date. Learn more about the new law, find summary information and read frequently asked questions.


New Chemicals Program meetings and review process

The Premanufacture Notice (PMN) Program to review new chemicals under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) has evolved into an efficient mechanism for identifying those new chemicals which are of greatest concern early on in the 90-day review process. A detailed analysis is focused on these cases with the ultimate goal of identifying and controlling unreasonable risks. EPA uses an integrated approach that draws on knowledge and experience across disciplinary and organizational lines to identify and evaluate concerns regarding health and environmental effects, exposure and release and economic impacts.

Following receipt of a PMN or exemption notice, EPA scientists and program managers meet to evaluate the notice and the notice undergoes the following steps in the Agency's 90-day review process. View the graphic of the new chemicals review process below.

PMN Submission Flowchart

Confirmation that PMN has been received by EPAIncomplete PMNInvalid PMNRegulatory DeterminationEPA Regulatory ActionsReview Process

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Chemical categories used to review new chemicals

EPA groups PMN chemicals with shared chemical and toxicological properties into categories in order to streamline the process for Agency review of new chemical substances.

Learn more about the New Chemicals chemical categories.

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Predictive models and tools for assessing chemicals under TSCA

EPA has developed assessment methods, databases, and predictive tools to help evaluate what happens to chemicals when they are used and released to the environment and how workers, citizens, and the environment might be exposed to and affected by them. These tools may be helpful when laboratory studies or monitoring data are not available or need to be supplemented.

Learn more about the predictive tools and models used in the New Chemicals Program.

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New chemicals and pollution prevention efforts

The New Chemicals Program is actively carrying out EPA's strategy to prevent pollution before it can occur. The New Chemicals Program strongly encourages industry efforts to prevent pollution. 

Learn more about these pollution prevention efforts.

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Policies and guidance

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